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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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iStock_000087400741_SmallToday’s top story: Why to avoid financial planning over the holidays. Also in the news: What President Trump will mean for mortgage rates, things banks and credit unions do that you don’t know about, and how waiting for Black Friday deals can really pay off.

Why to Avoid Financial Planning Over the Holidays
Don’t add stress on top of stress.

What the Trump Effect Means for Mortgage Rates Next Year and 5 Years From Now
What will happen to your mortgage under President Trump.

4 Things Banks and Credit Unions Do You Might Not Know About
Be informed.

Turns Out, You Really Can Save Big on Black Friday
Some deals are worth waiting for.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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imagesToday’s top story: How President Trump could affect your student loans. Also in the news: Why your student loan interest rates are so high, costly mistakes when sending money online, and money tips for new parents.

5 Ways President Trump Could Affect Your Student Loans
With a new administration comes new rules.

Why Are Your Student Loan Interest Rates So High?
Why you’re paying so much in interest.

3 Costly Mistakes When Sending Money Online
Don’t spend more than you have to.

New Parents: Save Money (and Sleep Better) with These 5 Tips
You do remember sleep, don’t you?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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babytrollToday’s top story: Why your newborn doesn’t need to be on your credit card account. Also in the news: Why paying more tax today could be your best AMT strategy, common retirement mistakes seen by financial planners, and how credit card minimum payments are meant to keep you in debt forever.

No, Your Newborn Doesn’t Need to Be on Your Credit Card Account
No need to build credit that early.

Paying More Tax Today May Be Your Best AMT Strategy
Understanding how AMT works.

Seven Common Retirement Mistakes Seen by Financial Planners
And how to avoid them.

Credit card minimums: Perfectly calibrated to keep you in debt
A cycle of perpetual debt.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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8.6.13.CheckupToday’s top story: 5 must-know facts about Obamacare open enrollment. Also in the news: Why it’s getting harder to spot counterfeit cash, financial conversations you should have during the holidays, and how to host your first Thanksgiving without going broke.

5 Must-Know Facts About Obamacare Open Enrollment
Be informed before signing up.

Why It’s Getting Harder to Spot Counterfeit Cash
Criminals have become more sophisticated.

Financial Conversations You Should Have During the Holidays
Taking advantage of family gatherings.

How to Host Your First Thanksgiving Without Going Broke
Don’t go overboard.

8 steps to financial security

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Financial security isn’t a number or a threshold. It has to do with what you spend, and save, relative to your income.

Nothing proves that quite like research on millionaires by wealth management firm UBS. Sixty percent of those with more than $5 million defined themselves as wealthy, compared with 28 percent of those worth $1 million to $5 million. Yet what millionaires mean by “wealthy” is not necessarily financial independence: Only 10 percent defined wealthy as not having to work. It’s not even a number; only 16 percent said surpassing a certain asset threshold automatically made you rich.

In my latest for the Associated Press, eight steps you can take to ensure your financial security.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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common-retirement-mistakesToday’s top story: How to choose the right amount for your FSA in 2017. Also in the news: The best and worst airports for holiday travel, the pros and cons of free money from a bank, and how long it will take to retire based on your spending.

How to Choose the Right Amount for Your FSA in 2017
Finding the amount that’s right for you.

Best and Worst Airports for Holiday Travel 2016
Preparing for holiday travel madness.

Should you turn down free money from a bank?
Considering the variables.

This Grid Shows You How Long It Will Take to Retire, Based on Your Spending
How many years left to go?