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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Rent-to-Own: Be informed before you sign. Also in the news: How Rent-A-Center torments customers, the pros and cons of subscription meal boxes, and how to “credit surf” to score huge reward bonuses.

Rent-to-Own: Be Informed Before You Sign
Reading the fine print.

Kicking in Doors and Crushing Credit: How Rent-A-Center Torments Customers
Renter beware.

Are Those Subscription Meal Boxes Right for You?
The pros and cons.

How to “Credit Surf” to Score Huge Rewards Bonuses
Racking up points.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 questions couples should ask before getting a dog. Also in the news: 4 Black Friday facts retailers don’t want you to know, what to buy and skip this Black Friday, and the number one financial fear for most Americans.

3 Questions Couples Should Ask Before Getting a Dog
A financial commitment.

4 Black Friday Facts Retailers Don’t Want You to Know
Black Friday secrets.

What to Buy (and Skip) on Black Friday 2017
Start making a list.

Financial fears? This is No. 1 for most Americans
Money monsters under the bed.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 Halloween hazards and how insurance can help. Also in the news: The secret to optimizing credit card rewards, how to make money driving for Amazon Flex, and why Millennials may end up saving more for retirement than their parents’ generation.

5 Halloween Hazards and How Insurance Can Help
Don’t get tricked.

The Secret to Optimizing Credit Card Rewards? Be Disloyal
Loyalty is overrated with credit card rewards.

Make Money Driving for Amazon Flex: What to Expect
Make money driving for Amazon that you can then spend on Amazon.

Millennials May End Up Saving More For Retirement Than Their Parents’ Generation
What has changed.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: College degrees can be a bargain abroad. Also in the news: Open enrollment time, how to finance a car at 0% interest, and 3 ways to protect your retirement savings from a market crash.

College Degrees Can Be a Bargain Abroad
Considering international universities.

Open Enrollment at Work: Get Ready to Get Choosyst
Finding the best plan.

How to Finance a Car at 0% Interest
Getting the best rate.

401(k) uncertainty? 3 ways to protect your retirement savings from a market crash
Protecting your future.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The best time to buy plane tickets. Also in the news: Deciding between options and stocks, everything we know so far about the Tesla Model 3, and how to calculate how much it will cost you to move to a new city.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets?
Timing is everything.

Options vs. Stocks: Which Is Right for You?
Choose wisely.

The Tesla Model 3: Everything We Know So Far
Elon is at it again.

How to Calculate How Much It Will Cost to Move to a New City
Relocation expenses.

Saving money makes you happier – here’s proof

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The argument over whether you should invest or pay off debt usually focuses on financial numbers, such as rates of return and interest charges. Maybe happiness should be part of the equation as well.

Studies in several countries, including the U.S., Norway, Ireland and Spain, have found high levels of financial satisfaction among elderly people. Happiness with our money situation tends to rise with age, even though our income peaks in midlife and then generally declines.

Why is that? Further studies show that what we own and what we owe make a difference. One study of 3,751 U.S. adults ages 30 to 80 found that increases in assets and decreases in debt over time “contribute substantially to the life course pattern of financial satisfaction.”

Fair enough. But then two Texas researchers looked into which of those two actions — paying down debt or building up investments — was the bigger contributor. In my latest for the Associated Press, find out which one makes you happier.