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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Caring counselor offers real help in student debt crisis. Staying away from envelope stuffing scams, make money with online surveys, and five mistakes to avoid when paying for college.

Caring Counselor Offers Real Help in Student Debt Crisis
This is how help in the student debt crisis should be.

Stay Away From Envelope-Stuffing Schemes
Don’t get scammed.

Making Money With Online Surveys: What to Expect
There’s money to be made…slowly.

Don’t make these 5 mistakes paying for college
Things to consider.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Cheated by student loan ‘Debt Relief” firm? What you should do. Also in the news: Rules rollback won’t keep defrauded student borrowers from loan forgiveness, 3 costly mistakes beginning investors make, and what to give and spend during Wedding Season.

Cheated By Student Loan ‘Debt Relief’ Firm? What To Do
Important steps to take.

Rule Rollback Won’t Keep Defrauded Student Borrowers From Loan Forgiveness
A little good news.

3 Costly Mistakes Beginning Investors Make
Ignore stock tips.

Weddings: What to give, what not to give, how much to spend
Wedding season is underway!

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Fed point fingers as ‘Debt Relief’ companies prey on student loan borrowers. Also in the news: Distressed borrowers say student debt help was anything but, why investors care about rate hikes, and why your credit cards shouldn’t retire when you do.

Feds Point Fingers as ‘Debt Relief’ Companies Prey on Student Loan Borrowers
Looking for easy targets.

Distressed Borrowers Say Student Debt Help Was Anything But
Compounding a problem.

Why Investors Care About the Fed (and Rate Hikes)
The impact on investments.

Credit hit: Why your credit cards shouldn’t retire when you do
Building credit is still important.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Down payment strategies for first-time buyers. Also in the news: How businesses succeed serving the “bottom of the pyramid,” 3 simple ways to save on Father’s Day, and how easy it is to switch to a credit union.

Down Payment Strategies for First-Time Home Buyers
Taking a big step.

How Businesses Succeed Serving ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’
Serving a need.

3 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Save on Father’s Day
Good things for Dad.

Here’s How Easy It Is to Switch to a Credit Union
Simple.

Book Giveaway: Spring Cleaning Edition.

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I’m clearing my shelves of some great personal finance books. Rather than stretch these giveaways out over several weeks, I’m going to be giving away these bundles all at once. All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment on my site specifying which bundle you’re MOST interested in, and which is your second choice.

When you leave your comment here on my blog (not my Facebook page), make sure to include your email address. It won’t show up with your comment, but I’ll be able to see it so I can contact you if you win. Comments are moderated, so it may take a little while for your comment to show up.

The deadline to enter is midnight Pacific time on Friday. Over the weekend, please check your email (including your spam filter). If I don’t hear from a winner by noon Pacific time on Monday, his or her prize will be forfeited and I’ll pick another winner.

And the bundles are:

The Millennial Bundle. These are great books for people in their 20s and 30s, whether they’re just setting up their finances or starting to make big decisions, like buying homes. The books include “Broke Millennial” by Erin Lowry, “Get a Financial Life” by Beth Kobliner and “The Couple’s Guide to Financial Compatibility” by Jeff Motske.

The Kids & Money Bundle. Want to set your kids on the right financial path? These books can help. They include “Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not)” by Beth Kobliner and “The Teen Money Manual” by Kara McGuire.

The College-Bound Bundle. A college degree has never been more important, or more expensive. These books can help families prepare. They include “The Perfect Score Project” by Debbie Stier, “The Thinking Student’s Guide to College” by Andrew Roberts, “Colleges that Change Lives” by Loren Pope and Hilary Masell Oswald and “Twisdoms about Paying for College” by Mark Kantrowitz.

The Money and Meaning Bundle. These authors dive deeper into how we find purpose and meaning in life, through the filter of money. The books include “Mindful Money” by Jonathan K. DeYoe, “End Financial Stress Now” by Emily Guy Birken, “Leap” by Tess Vigeland and “You Only Live Once” by Jason Vitug.

The Closing-in-on-Retirement Bundle. Someday sooner than you think, retirement will morph from a distant possibility to a looming certainty. These books can help you navigate to the retirement you want. They include “How to Make Your Money Last” by Jane Bryant Quinn, “Unretirement” by Chris Farrell and “Choose Your Retirement” by Emily Guy Birken.

The Big Thinker Bundle. These books are ideal for those who have mastered the basics and want to know more about how finances and the economy work. They include: “The New Rules of Real Estate” by Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries, “The Economics Book” by DK Publishing and “Retirement Heist” by Ellen Schultz.