Get smart with your money
Today’s top story: Being a loyal customer can score you free food. Also in the news: The average retirement savings by age, what to buy (and skip in September, and where your $100 goes furthest in the United States.
When Being a Loyal Customer = Free Food
Perks are plentiful.
The Average Retirement Savings by Age and Why You Need More
Do you have enough?
What to Buy (and Skip) in September
Finding fall bargains.
Want the most for your $100? Avoid San Jose
Consider West Virginia.
Today’s top story: Don’t make this common – and costly – credit card mistake. Also in the news: Paying by credit card will increase college costs, free credit freezes, and when to buy travel insurance.
Don’t Make This Common — and Costly — Credit Card Mistake
Even a day late can be costly.
To Make College Cost Even More, Pay by Credit Card
Interest rates can be even worse than through student loans.
Free Credit Freezes: Time to Rethink Your Protection?
Credit freezes will be free for everyone starting September 21st.
When to Buy Travel Insurance
When is it worth it?
I recently heard from the parents of yet another high school senior who turned down a huge scholarship from a good college to attend her “dream school,” which of course has lousy financial aid. Now her parents are scrambling, trying to figure out how to pay for it .
This madness must end.
Asking teenagers to pay the whole cost of a four-year college degree probably isn’t realistic or smart. Kids may be cut off from financial aid, since need-based help is largely based on the parents’ resources. The debt they accumulate may be crippling, and students who try to pay for school entirely on their own are more likely to drop out.
But the open bar approach isn’t wise, either. Setting limits and requiring a kid to pay at least part of the cost can actually lead to better grades while protecting parents’ finances.
In my latest for the Associated Press, why parents should set clear boundaries about how much they’ll pay for college.
Today’s top story: How to plan a vacation without getting into debt. Also in the news: How to save money and drive safer by plugging into your car’s computer, 9 expenses to pack in your moving budget, and 3 people show how they got control of their college debt.
How to Plan a Vacation Without Getting Into Debt
Sticking to your budget.
Plug Into Your Car’s Computer to Save Money, Drive Safer
Using the onboard diagnostic panel.
9 Expenses to Pack in Your Moving Budget
Don’t forget the minor details.
3 people, 3 ways of getting control of college debt
What you can learn from their approaches.
Today’s top story: Plug into your car’s computer to save money and drive safer. Also in the news: How to reset retirement plans to weather a downturn, the easiest way to earn 6,000 Rapid Rewards point, and why you should pay off all of your debt before investing in stocks.
Plug Into Your Car’s Computer toonboardney, Drive Safer
Your on-board computer can tell you a lot about your driving habits.
How to Reset Retirement Plans to Weather a Downturn
Making the adjustments.
Quite Possibly the Easiest Way to Earn 6,000 Rapid Rewards Points
All it takes is a newsletter.
Pay off all your debt before investing in stocks
Credit card debt is the worst.
Today’s top story: What to buy and skip in September. Also in the news: 5 times to stash your cash and pay with plastic, what college freshman need to know about their student loans, and how to choose the best approach to managing your investments.
What to Buy (and Skip) in September
5 Times to Stash Your Cash and Pay With Plastic
Protecting your purchases.
What College Freshmen Need to Know About Their Student Loans
A whole new world of financial obligation.
How to choose the best approach to managing your investments
It’s all about streamlining.