Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to keep Mother’s Day spending down. Also in the news: How the rise in student loan rates will affect borrowers, where to sell your stuff online, and will you see a Social Security check in your lifetime.

Mother’s Day Spending Is up, but You Can Keep Costs Down
It’s the thought that counts.

How Rise in Student Loan Rates Will Affect Borrowers
What to expect.

Where to Sell Your Stuff Online
Making some extra cash.

Will You See a Social Security Check in Your Lifetime?
What are the odds?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Goofed on your tax returns? Here’s what to do. Also in the news: 5 awful reasons to buy a stock, what newlyweds need to know about insurance, and does free shipping make you spend more money.

Goofed on Your Tax Return? Here’s What to Do
Don’t panic.

5 Awful Reasons to Buy a Stock
Be cautious when buying.

What Newlyweds Need to Know About Insurance
Changes you need to make.

Does Free Shipping Make You Spend More Money?
When free shipping gets costly.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to dodge scams and time-wasters in the online job market. Also in the news: Credit card bonuses are drifting further away, how job hopping can hurt Millennials in retirement, and how to fraud-proof your retirement savings.

Online Jobs: How to Dodge Scams and Time-Wasters
Don’t get taken for a ride.

As Credit Card Bonuses Balloon, They Drift Further Away
Bigger isn’t necessarily better in this case.

Job Hopping Can Hurt Millennials in Retirement
The 401(k) game.

6 ways to fraud-proof your retirement savings
Protecting your savings.

Why you need 3 savings accounts

Some of us hoard cash while paying 18% interest on a credit card balance. Others blow through a tax refund as if it were free money when it’s actually a return of our own hard-earned dollars.

This brain quirk has a name: mental accounting. We treat money differently depending on where it comes from and how we intend to spend it, often to our own detriment.

We can, however, leverage this illogical behavior to help us save more.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how having multiple savings accounts could help you save more.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: VA Loans vs Conventional Mortgages. Also in the news: How much you can spend each month, how investors can sabotage their own portfolios, and what the AHCA ‘s preexisting condition rules could cost you.

VA Loans vs. Conventional Mortgages
The important differences.

How Much Can I Spend Each Month?
Creating a monthly budget.

How Investors Can Sabotage Their Own Portfolio Returns
Overconfidence can become a problem.

What the AHCA’s preexisting condition rules could cost you
Be prepared.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Spending, saving, or investing your graduation gift. Also in the news: How to find your net worth, how to avoid auto repossession, and avoiding a huge salary negotiation mistake.

Should You Spend, Save or Invest Your Graduation Gift?
Using it wisely.

How to Find Your Net Worth
Determining your number.

Late Car Payment? Avoid Repossession in 3 Quick Steps
Hanging on to your wheels.

You’ve probably already made this huge salary negotiation mistake
Don’t undervalue yourself.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Budgeting for newlyweds. Also in the news: What you need to know about May’s Fed meeting, should a partner’s debt keep you from marrying, and a retirement literacy quiz you need to pass.

Budgeting for Newlyweds: Figuring Out Family Finance
Now comes the fun part.

May 2017 Fed Meeting: 7 Questions (and Answers)
What you need to know.

Ask Brianna: Should My Partner’s Debt Keep Us From Marrying?
Things to consider.

A retirement literacy quiz you need to pass
Knowing the essentials.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Four times when you might need a financial planner. Also in the news: Understanding the Glass-Steagall Act, how to manage money in your 20s, and how the Affordable Care Act drove down personal bankruptcy.

4 Times When You Might Need a Financial Planner
Times when you shouldn’t go it alone.

The Glass-Steagall Act: What It Is and Why It Matters
Understanding the banking regulation.

How to Manage Money in Your 20s
Welcome to adulthood.

How the Affordable Care Act Drove Down Personal Bankruptcy

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The costs associated with “free” college programs. Also in the news: 4 easy ways to become a banking guru, 3 medical debt mistakes to avoid, and 9 internships that pay better than “real” jobs.

‘Free’ College Programs Will Still Cost You
Not all expenses are covered.

4 Easy Ways to Become a Banking Guru
Mastering the art of banking.

3 medical debt mistakes to avoid
Don’t bury yourself even deeper.

9 internships that pay better than “real” jobs
Some interns can make close to $100K.

Go nuclear on your debt – move away

Ken Ilgunas paid off $32,000 in student loans two and a half years after graduation — starting with a $9-an-hour job.

With zero job offers in his chosen field of journalism, he instead moved from Wheatfield, New York, to Coldfoot, Alaska, a truck stop and tourist camp north of the Arctic Circle, so he could put every possible dollar toward his debt.

Every possible dollar meant virtually every dollar. His job as cook, maintenance worker and tour guide provided room and board. What Coldfoot (population 10) didn’t provide was places to spend what little he was making.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how literally moving outside of your comfort zone can help you pay off debt faster.