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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Why traditional credit scores still matter. Also in the news: Staying ahead of travel scams, banks still playing with financial fire, and the benefits to maxing out your retirement contributions early in the year.

Newfangled Data Aside, Credit Scores Still Matter
Those 3 numbers still reign supreme.

Stay a Step Ahead of Travel Scams
Traveling safely.

After ’08 Meltdown, Banks Still Play With Financial Fire
And we’re the ones who get burned.

Should You Max Out Your Retirement Contributions Early in the Year?
A new study shows interesting results.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 credit score myths you should stop believing. Also in the news: Vinyl siding costs and how to keep them down, 6 big ways credit can affect your life, and 1 in 3 parents will help their kids pay off student loans.

3 Credit Score Myths You Should Stop Believing
It’s all about the numbers.

Vinyl Siding Costs and How to Bring Savings Home
How to keep costs down.

6 Big Ways Your Credit Can Affect Your Life
From buying a home to getting a new job.

1 in 3 parents will help their kids pay off student loans
And it could impact their retirement.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 steps to change homeowners insurance paid through escrow. Also in the news: Getting by on the average retirement income, TSA-Approved ways to cut the airport screening lines, and how to tell if your company’s 401(k) plan is any good.

5 Steps to Change Homeowners Insurance Paid Through Escrow
Seamless transition.

Could You Get By On the Average Retirement Income?
Will you have enough?

TSA-Approved Ways to Cut the Airport Screening Line
You can leave your shoes on.

How to Tell if Your Company’s 401(k) Plan Is Any Good
Is it worth contributing to?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Bartenders spill secrets for keeping your tab in check. Also in the news: How a remodeling project changes your property tax bill, tips for back-to-school shopping, and how to use your bank’s automatic transfer tools to make budgeting easy.

Bartenders Spill Secrets for Keeping Your Tab in Check
Avoiding a financial hangover.

How a Remodeling Project Changes Your Property Tax Bill
That new bathroom just increased your home’s value.

Cross Items Off Your Back-to-School List With These Tips
Almost time to go back to school.

How to Use Your Bank’s Automatic Transfer Tools to Make Budgeting Easy
Automating your banking can make saving money easier.

Why traditional credit scores still matter

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Researchers and startups say all kinds of weird data can predict your creditworthiness. What kind of smartphone you have, who your friends are and how you answer survey questions may foretell how likely you are to pay back a loan.

Don’t expect this alternative data to displace the three-digit number most lenders use, however. Credit scores still matter — a lot.

Lenders use credit scores to decide whether you get loans and credit cards, plus the rates you pay. Scores are also used to determine which apartments you can rent, which cell phone plans you can get and, in most states, how much you pay for auto and homeowners insurance.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why traditional, three-digit credit scores still matter.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to protect your money from criminals. Also in the news: How to fight about money and stay madly in love, how to have “the talk” about finances with your parents, and deciding to reroute some of your retirement savings to pay for a house.

Banking Has Changed, but Criminals Haven’t — Here’s How to Protect Your Money
Staying on guard.

How to Fight About Money and Stay Madly in Love
Don’t let money get in the way.

Have ‘The Talk’ About Finances With Your Parents Already
Having the tough conversations.

Should You Reroute Some of Your Retirement Savings to Pay for a House?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make.