Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How students can avoid common bank and credit card fees. Also in the news: What to do if you can’t get a student credit card, how to lessen the financial pains of moving, and how to photograph your house for Airbnb.

How Students Can Avoid Common Bank and Credit Card Fees
Don’t pay the bank to access your money.

What to Do If You Can’t Get a Student Credit Card
A look at the alternatives.

Ask Brianna: How Can I Lessen the Financial Pain of Moving?
Painless ways to cut costs.

How to Photograph Your House for Airbnb
Attracting more renters.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for July. Also in the news: How to set up your 401(k), tips to evade gas pump skimmers, and how painting your bathroom this color could boost your home’s selling price.

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for July 2017
What to look for in July.

How to Set Up Your 401(k)
A big step towards retirement.

Guard Your Card: 5 Tips to Evade Gas Pump Skimmers
Don’t get fleeced at the pump.

Paint your bathroom this color and boost your home’s selling price by $5,400
All about the blues.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: The death of the 20% mortgage down payment. Also in the news: What you need to know about P2P payment apps, working beyond 65, and 5 cars that cost the lowest to insure.

The 20% Mortgage Down Payment Is Dead
R.I.P

Ditching Cash for P2P Payment Apps? 3 Things to Know
The world of digital currency.

Working Beyond 65 — Will You Want To Or Need To?
What the future holds.

5 cars that cost the least to insure
You don’t have to break the bank.

Black marks fall off credit reports in July

By

Starting July 1, the credit scores of up to 14 million people could begin to rise as credit reports are scrubbed of nearly all civil judgments and many tax liens.

Consumer advocates hail the data’s deletion as a long-overdue victory for people whose scores were unfairly dinged by inaccurate information. Others worry the changes could inflate the scores of risky borrowers and have a catastrophic impact on lenders.

People shouldn’t expect an immediate jump in their scores, however.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how the process will work and when you can expect to see changes.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: What to buy (and skip) in July. Also in the news: Conquering the fear of credit cards, 25 tips for first-time home buyers, and why Millennials can’t have nice things (or save any money.)

What to Buy (and Skip) in July
Timing is everything.

Conquer Fear of Credit Cards Now, Reap Benefits Later
Use them wisely.

25 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
What to watch out for.

This is why millennials can’t have nice things (or save any money)
Curb the spending.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: How to assess your credit card needs after divorce. Also in the news: Generation Z is off to a strong start with credit, why your friend has a better credit score than you, and how to ensure your gift cards don’t go to waste.

How to Assess Your Credit Card Needs After Divorce
How to determine what you need.

‘Gen Z’ Off to Strong Start With Credit, Analysis Shows
The fiscally responsible generation?

Why Your Friend Has a Better Credit Score Than You
Sifting through the possibilities.

How to ensure your gift cards don’t go to waste
Don’t toss away free money.