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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: One couple’s journey from debt to $1.5 million in savings. Also in the news: What to buy and skip in July, Whole Foods joins Amazon’s Prime Day, and how the lawsuits against student loan service Navient could affect you.

One Couple’s Journey From Debt to $1.5 Million in Savings
Communication is key.

What to Buy (and Skip) in July
Making the most of midsummer sales.

Prime Day Alert: 10% Back at Whole Foods with Amazon Prime Visa
Whole Foods joins the Prime Day excitement.

How the lawsuits against student loan servicer Navient could affect you
Four states are currently suing the student loan giant.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Credit cards can give you a break on back-to-school purchases. Also in the news: How credit card perks can be your ticket to a cheaper vacation, 3 questions to help grow your retirement savings, and a nonprofit that will give you $1000 if you take personal finance classes.

Credit Cards Can Give You a Break on Back-to-School Purchases
Easing the pain of fall’s big expenses.

Credit Card Perks Can Be Your Ticket to a Cheaper Vacation
Saving on fun.

3 Questions to Help Grow Your Retirement Savings
Give your retirement a boost.

This nonprofit will give you $1,000 if you take a few personal finance classes
Giving Millennials a head start.

How to profit from someone else’s financial mistake

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Most of us have wasted money on ill-considered purchases or stuff we really couldn’t afford. As we get more financially savvy, that happens less often. But we can still profit from other people’s bad choices.

People who prize the latest and greatest, for example, quickly need to upgrade to the next shiny thing. That leaves plenty of lightly used cars and electronics for sale at a discount.

People who can’t look beyond cosmetic damage also provide buying opportunities for those who can, since surface flaws can ding price without hurting functionality. Then there are the “d’oh” mistakes: the stuff that didn’t fit or turned out to be the wrong shade of robin’s egg blue. That stuff gets returned so it can be discounted and snapped up by frugal buyers.

In my latest for the Associated Press, three ways to profit from others’ mistakes.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The benefits of a just-for-debt credit card. Also in the news: July’s stock market outlook, bogus organic fruit, and how long it takes your credit score to recover from a drastic drop.

Just-for-Debt Credit Card: It Has One Job
Use this card for only one thing.

Stock Market Outlook: A Market That Giveth and Taketh Away
Buckle your seat belts.

$6 Million in Bogus Organic Fruit Sold to U.S., Costa Rican Report Finds
Bogus pineapples fill the shelves.

How Long It Takes Your Credit Score to Recover from a Drastic Drop
Be prepared to wait.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Student loan interest rates go up July 1st. Also in the news: Chase rolls out an all-mobile banking app, 5 ways your friendships can blossom on a budget, and how to make living with your parents pay off.

Student Loan Interest Rates Go Up July 1
Prepare for an increase.

Chase Rolls Out All-Mobile Banking App. Is It for You?
All of your banking done on your phone.

5 Ways Your Friendships Can Blossom on a Budget
Don’t let student loans cramp your style.

How to Make Living With Your Parents Pay Off Financially
Start building your savings.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Don’t let puppy love blind you to the expenses of a dog. Also in the news: The pros and cons of timeshares, 9 unsung ways to earn airline miles for free, and every expense you can expect with a first-time home purchase.

Don’t Let Puppy Love Blind You to the Expense of a Dog
Keeping Fido’s costs in check.

Are Timeshares Worth It? Possibly, if You Buy Smart
There are bargains to be found.

9 Unsung Ways to Earn Airline Miles for Free
Convert your groceries into miles.

Every Expense You Can Expect With a First-Time Home Purchase
The costs lurking behind the celebration.