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Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Why free life insurance at work might not be enough. Also in the news: 5 personal finance books to read this year, picking a career you’ll actually like, and why your debt to income ration matters.

Why Free Life Insurance at Work Might Not Be Enough
Making sure you’re fully covered.

5 Personal Finance Books to Read This Year
Help from the experts.

Ask Brianna: How Do I Pick a Career I’ll Actually Like?
One of life’s biggest decisions.

Why Your Debt to Income Ratio Matters, and How to Find It
Measuring your financial health.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 ways debt settlement may not be the fix you expect. Also in the news: NFL great Eric Dickerson shares money and life lessons, where to find low-cost checking and the reason why most people get rejected for a personal loan.

3 Ways Debt Settlement May Not Be the Fix You Expect
What debt settlement companies won’t tell you.

NFL Great Eric Dickerson Shares Money and Life Lessons
Tips from the Hall of Famer.

Consumers Can Find Low-Cost Checking, Despite Bank of America Move
Alternatives to BoA.

The reason why most people get rejected for a personal loan
Know the score.

Should we pay people to save?

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Long ago, people were rewarded for saving. Banks contributed something known as “interest” to the amounts deposited in savings accounts.

OK, technically they still do, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing the tiny amounts added in a low-rate environment. The current average interest rate on savings accounts is 0.06 percent.

Anemic rates may not be a major reason why Americans don’t save enough, but there’s some evidence that better rewards could induce more people to save. Two approaches that seem to work: matching funds and prize-linked accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, could rewarding people for saving get them to save more?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to max out your Roth IRA in 2018. Also in the news: Why smarter cars aren’t saving us money on car insurance, 4 tax breaks that could help those caring for elderly parents, and 5 money moves that will help you retire early.

How to Max Out Your Roth IRA in 2018
Tips to keep you on track.

Why Smarter Cars Aren’t Saving Us Money on Car Insurance
Need a little more time.

If You’re Caring for Elderly Parents, 4 Tax Breaks May Help
See what’s available to you.

5 Money Moves That Will Help You Retire Early
Strategic planning.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The 4 best times to file taxes. Also in the news: What’s different in this year’s tax filings, 5 traits shared by the best financial planners, and could this be the year to buy a house?

The 4 Best Times to File Taxes

Never Mind Tax Reform — What’s Different When I File This Year?

The Best Financial Planners Share These 5 Traits

Is 2018 the year to buy a house?
Could this be the year?

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 ways to invest in your career this week. Also in the news: How to pick stock investments, checking accounts for seniors, and using your emergency savings to pay off credit card debt.

3 Ways to Invest in Your Career This Week
Give your career a boost.

How to Pick Stock Investments
Choosing wisely.

Checking Accounts for Seniors
Know the perks.

Should You Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt With Your Emergency Savings?
Start making short-term sacrifices.