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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 6 ways to optimize your credit card’s bonus mall. Also in the news: 5 tips for starting a business while working full time, 6 ways to get free money from the government, and the 10 most stolen cars and the cost of theft insurance.

6 Ways to Optimize Your Credit Card’s Bonus Mall
Getting the most bang for your bonus bucks.

5 Tips For Starting a Business While Working Full Time
It’s all about time management.

6 Ways to Get Free Money From the Government
You read that correctly.

The 10 most-stolen cars and the cost of theft insurance
Is yours on the list?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Don’t get taken by government grant scams. Also in the news: When you should and shouldn’t tap your Roth IRA, using your credit cards to pay for child care, and a report that finds many American teens lack basic financial skills.

Don’t Get Taken by Government Grant Scams
The government doesn’t want to give you money.

When You Should — and Shouldn’t — Tap Your Roth IRA
Let your interest rate be your guide.

Should You Use Credit Cards to Pay for Child Care?
Depends on the card.

Report finds many American teens lack basic financial skills
Not a good sign.

Make your teen a millionaire this summer

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Gary Sidder set up Roth IRAs for his sons when they turned 13. Each year, the Littleton, Colorado, certified financial planner and his wife, Francie Steinzeig, a school psychologist, contributed an amount equal to whatever the two boys earned cutting lawns, shoveling snow and doing odd jobs. As the sons’ earnings increased, so did the parental contributions.

“Initially we started with $400, and now we do $5,500 for each,” the annual maximum allowable contribution, says Sidder, whose sons are 32 and 27. “Now that their accounts are worth more than $100,000 and $65,000, respectively, they do see the value of saving and starting early.”

Even if no further contributions are made, both sons could see their accounts top $1 million by retirement age, assuming conservative 7 percent average annual returns.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how setting up your kids with an IRA could pay off big dividends for their future.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 debt questions you’re afraid to ask. Also in the news: The best accounts for short-term savings, the 10 most-stolen cars and the cost of theft insurance, and what happens when your bank loses a cash deposit.

5 Debt Questions You’re Afraid to Ask
We have the answers.

Best Accounts for Short-Term Savings
It depends on your timeline.

The 10 Most-Stolen Cars and the Cost of Theft Insurance
Is yours on the list?

What Happens When Your Bank Loses a Cash Deposit
Keep copies of everything.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The myRA program is dead. But there is an alternative. Also in the news: Borrowing money from friends and family when you’re in a jam, and four financial milestones to reach before you retire.

Obama-Era Retirement Plan Is Dead. Here’s an Alternative
The myRA program is dead.

Ask Brianna: Should I Borrow Money From Family and Friends?
What to do when you’re in a jam.

4 financial milestones to reach before you retire
Giving yourself a better shot at a good retirement.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 essential money tips for Generation X. Also in the news: Sales tax holidays, the best ways to send money to your college student, and why Americans are more financially content.

5 Essential Money Tips for Generation X
The clock is ticking towards 50.

Sales Tax Holidays Save Shoppers Money on Back-to-School
Find out if your state has one.

Best Ways to Send Money to Your College Student
Don’t pay excessive fees.

Americans are more financially content than they’ve been in a decade