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Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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co-signer-penToday’s top story: How to keep your identity secure. Also in the news: Automating your way to wealth, what you need to consider before becoming a co-signer, and what to tell your grandkids about saving for retirement.

Keep Your Identity Secure With a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert
Protecting your important assets.

How to Automate Your Way to Wealth
Putting technology to work for you.

Stop. Drop. And Read This Before Becoming a Co-signer.
Consider the long-term impact.

6 things to tell your grandkids about saving for retirement
Get them on the right path early.

Social Security’s divorce and survivors benefits for same-sex married couples

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gay-marriage-cake-toppers-485x320Same-sex marriage has been legal long enough in a couple of U.S. states that its pioneers may qualify for Social Security benefits even if they divorce.

Marriages that last at least 10 years before they end qualify the participants for both spousal and survivor benefits from Social Security. Spousal benefits equal up to half the benefit a spouse or ex-spouse has earned, while survivors benefits typically are equal to what the spouse or ex-spouse was receiving at death.

More information on the benefits available to same-sex married couples can be found in my column for Bankrate.

Also on Bankrate, I answer a reader’s question about using her 401(k) account to delay taking Social Security benefits. And on Reuters, I take a look at why parents are spending more and worrying less about college.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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retirement-savings3Today’s top story: Why you cannot afford to become complacent about money. Also in the news:The financial steps you need to take after your spouse dies, how to get into a money-saving mindset, and why getting your debt in order is essential for a good retirement.

5 Ways Complacency Can Cost You Serious Money
The importance of staying on your toes.

Financial steps to take after your spouse dies
Protecting yourself during a difficult time.

3 Tips to Stay in the Money-Saving Mindset
Changing money habits could result in big savings.

Don’t Let Debt Blow Your Retirement
Getting your debt in order is essential for a good retirement.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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refinancingToday’s top story: What you need to know about divorce and credit. Also in the news: Things that surprisingly don’t affect your credit, back-to-school shopping hacks, and what to consider when deciding whether to sell your house or rent.

Help! I’m Getting Divorced. How Do We Split Our Credit?
What you need to know about divorce and credit.

9 Things That Surprisingly Won’t Affect Your Credit
When paying your bills on time doesn’t make a difference.

14 Back-to-School Shopping Hacks
Keeping more money in your wallet.

Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out? – Things to Consider
The pros and cons of each.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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budgetToday’s top story: The money moves you need to make at the midyear point. Also in the news: Life events that require financial planning, common credit score killers, and why you should always read the fine print when choosing a checking account.

Your Midyear Guide to Managing Your Money
Moves you need to make now.

10 Life Events That Require Financial Planning
Both happy and sad.

5 Common Credit Score Killers
How to avoid them.

Want 1% Interest On Your Checking Account? You Can Get It, But Make Sure To Read The Fine Print
That 1% could end up costing you.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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air-miles-cardToday’s top story: How your medical debt impacts your FICO score. Also in the news: Signs your parents are victims of a financial scam, what you need to know when hunting for scholarships, and how to fly first class on the cheap.

The Impact of Medical Debt on FICO Scores
A new formula treats medical debt differently.

5 Signs Your Parents Are the Victims of a Financial Scam
Older adults are more susceptible to scams.

Everything You Need to Know When Hunting for Scholarships
Helping your kids on the road to college.

How to fly first class for free (or on the cheap)
Bargain your way out of coach this summer.