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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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smartphones_financeToday’s top story: A good retirement savings option for the self-employed. Also in the news: Jobs that could mark you as a risk for late payments, what to ask before giving a cell phone as a gift, and the financial perks of not celebrating Christmas.

A Good Retirement Savings Option for the Self-Employed
Consider a Solo 401(k).

Study: These Jobs Could Mark You as a Risk for Late Payments on Personal Loans
Is yours on the list?

Ask These Questions Before Giving a Cell Phone This Season
What you need to know before making a purchase.

The Financial Perks of Not Celebrating Christmas
The upside to being The Grinch.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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twrmn81mopj80nvlk4zqToday’s top story: Manage your debt for a smoother divorce. Also in the news: Giving your child the gift of stocks, how to donate credit card points and miles to charity, and six ways to make the most of your holiday bonus.

Manage Your Debt for a Smoother Divorce
Making a difficult situation a bit easier.

Give Your Child the Gift of Stocks
The gift that keeps on giving.

How to Donate Credit Card Points, Miles or Cash Back to Charity
Put those forgotten miles to good use.

6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Holiday Bonus
Stretching it out.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to make successful financial resolutions in 2017. Also in the news: 5 insurance coverage gaps that could cost you, what to know before giving and accepting money from relatives, and 10 psychological retail tricks that make you spend more money.

How to Make Successful Resolutions in 2017
Stick with it.

Insurance Blind Spots: 5 Coverage Gaps That Could Cost You
Making sure you’re covered.

What to Know Before Giving and Accepting Money From Relatives
Know what you’re getting into.

10 psychological retail tricks that make you spend more money
Don’t fall for them.

Gift cards aren’t gifts

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gift-cardsIf it’s the thought that counts, then gift cards don’t count much at all.

They’re popular, granted. Six out of 10 people responding to National Retail Federation surveys this year said they wanted to receive gift cards for the holidays, and more than half said they planned to give them.

The rest of us may think of gift cards as a cop-out. Gift cards are what you give when you don’t have a clue what makes the recipient tick and can’t trouble yourself to find out.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why it makes more sense to give cash this holiday season instead of gift cards, and why the search for the perfect gift still matters.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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shutterstock_38185810-2Today’s top story: How to tell your checking account is the right fit. Also in the news: Tips for handling holiday financial stress, financial concepts you’ll actually use, and important things to know about 529 college savings plan withdrawals.

5 Ways to Tell If Your Checking Account’s the Right Fit
Avoid excess fees.

5 Tips for Handling Holiday Financial Stress
More celebrating, less stressing.

6 Financial Concepts You’ll Actually Use
Applying concepts to everyday life.

4 important things to know about 529 College Savings Plan withdrawals
They aren’t necessarily tax-free.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for December. Also in the news: How to tell if a Roth 401(k) is for you, why postdating checks is a waste of time, and how many credit cards you should have.

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for December 2016
Just in time for holiday spending.

How to Tell If a Roth 401(k) Is for You
Choosing the right retirement savings.

Postdating Checks Is a Waste of Time — Here’s Why
Not worth the risk.

How many credit cards should you have?
What’s the magic number?