Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 late-filing tax mistakes you need to avoid. Also in the news: Why paying taxes by credit card probably isn’t a good idea, collection agencies are getting another shot at your back taxes, and filing a tax extension to buy more time.

6 Late-Filing Tax Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Common mistakes to watch out for.

Paying Taxes by Credit Card Probably Isn’t a Good Idea
You’ll pay for the convenience.

Collection Agencies Get Another Shot at Your Back Taxes

Don’t Panic, File a Tax Extension to Buy More Time
Take a deep breath.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Can’t refinance student loans? Try these tactics. Also in the news: 10-word answers to your biggest car insurance questions, 5 foods that raise blood pressure – and life insurance rates, and 5 ways to save on preparing your taxes.

Can’t Refinance Student Loans? Try These Tactics
Looking at the alternatives.

10-Word Answers (or Less!) to Your Biggest Car Insurance Questions
Short and sweet.

5 Foods That Raise Blood Pressure — and Life Insurance Rates
That burger could spike more than just your blood pressure.

5 ways to save on preparing your taxes
Keeping more of your money.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: There’s still time to make an IRA contribution for 2016. Also in the news: FAFSA tool outage, 4 money lies you might be telling yourself, and when a tax refund means bankruptcy.

There’s Still Time to Make an IRA Contribution for 2016
You have a couple more weeks.

FAFSA Tool Outage: Students It Affects Most and How to Cope
Added stress.

4 Money Lies You Might Be Telling Yourself
Time for the truth.

When a tax refund means bankruptcy
The means to pay for going broke.

4 tax hacks you might not know

You know to contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full company match. Maybe you’ve even adjusted your withholding so you’re not giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan.

Yet you may feel the need to do even more, especially if you’re making the last big push toward retirement. These hacks allow you to shelter more money from taxes now and when you retire. In my latest for the Associated Press, the 4 crucial tax hacks you might not know.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for April 2017. Also in the news: How one man dug out from $30K in debt, seniors are facing rising credit card debt, and should colleges require a financial literacy class?

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for April 2017
The best cards for spring.

How One Man Dug Out From $30,000 in Debt
You can do it, too.

For Seniors, Rising Credit Card Debt Squeezes Tight
Medical debt is pushing seniors to the limit.

Should colleges require a financial literacy class?
Two experts weigh in.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Dodge these 5 tax mistakes. Also in the news: How to pay for expensive transgender surgeries, how to lower your energy bill, and the rare instances when student loans can be forgiven.

Dodge These 5 Tax Mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid.

How to Pay for Expensive Transgender Surgeries
Exploring the options.

How to Lower Your Energy Bill
Examining the physics behind your energy use.

These Are the Rare Instances in Which Student Loans Can Be Forgiven
Very rare.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t skip life insurance because of cost when having a baby. Also in the news: Wells Fargo could owe you money, crooks are targeting ATMs, and what you need to know about special needs financial planning.

Having a Baby? Don’t Skip Life Insurance Because of Cost
The sooner the better.

$110 Million Wells Fargo Payout Could Put Money in Your Pocket
If you got caught up in the fake fees scam, it’s time to get your money back.

Better Check Your Balance: Crooks Targeting ATMs
The return of the skimmers.

What to Know About Special Needs Financial Planning
Preparing for the unknown.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Victim of ‘Divorce Season’? Protect Your Finances. Also in the news: Mixing up these student loan terms could cost you, why deductions aren’t the only way to save on real estate taxes, and why you still need to cut up your canceled credit cards.

Victim of ‘Divorce Season’? Protect Your Finances
March and August are bad months for marriage.

Mixing Up These Student Loan Terms Could Cost You
Know your student loan vocabulary.

Deductions Aren’t the Only Way to Save on Real Estate Taxes
Alternative tax incentives.

Do You Still Need to Cut Up Your Canceled Credit Cards?
Get the scissors.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 ways to manage the cost of raising a baby. Also in the news: How to take advantageof post-purchase price drops, SelfScore launches rewards card for international students in the United States, and why bank tellers won’t become extinct any time soon.

4 Ways to Manage the Cost of Raising a Baby
They’re cute, but costly.

How to Take Advantage of Post-Purchase Price Drops
Getting back the difference.

SelfScore Launches Rewards Card for International Students in US
New rewards.

Why bank tellers won’t become extinct any time soon
Keeping it old school.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to invest $50,000. Also in the news: Ditching student debt through monster payments, funding a wedding while paying student debt, and what we can learn from rich people who are bad with money.

How to Invest $50,000
Making the wise choices.

How I Ditched Student Debt: ‘Monster Payments’
Using monster payments to pay off your student debt faster.

Ask Brianna: How Can I Fund a Wedding and Pay Student Debt?
Managing two large expenses.

What We Can Learn From Rich People Who Are Bad With Money
Learning from other people’s mistakes.