Get smart with your money
Stories about how ordinary people pay off debt quickly can be amazing, inspiring — and somewhat deceptive.
These tales often mention the sacrifices debtors made but may gloss over the cost to their quality of life or the misguided choices they made. Becoming debt-free can be a worthy goal, but understanding the pitfalls can keep you from repeating others’ mistakes.
In my latest for the Associated Press, why some folks wish they hadn’t paid off their debt in such a rush.
Today’s top story: Why you should have a credit card even if you don’t carry a balance. Also in the news: Credit card debt is down in early 2017, how to take advantage of cooling car sales this summer, and how to avoid being a victim at the car repair garage.
Why Have a Credit Card if You Don’t Carry a Balance?
The importance of maintaining credit.
Credit Card Debt Shrank in Early 2017
Paying off debt.
How to Take Advantage of Cooling Car Sales This Summer
Prices are dropping.
How to avoid being a victim at the car repair garage
Don’t get taken for a ride.
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Today’s top story: How to read the fine print on credit card offers. Also in the news: Mistakes to avoid if you want your student loans forgiven, how to switch brokers and move your investments, and three retirement savings strategiess to use if you plan to retire early.
How to Read the Fine Print of Credit Card Offers
Paying close attention.
Want Your Student Loans Forgiven? Avoid These 4 Mistakes
Forgiveness is possible.
How to Switch Brokers and Move Your Investments
Big banking moves.
Three retirement savings strategies to use if you plan to retire early
Getting out as soon as you can.
Today’s top story: What to know before sharing credit accounts with a parent. Also in the news: Required minimum distributions, tax-smart ways to withdraw from a 529 college plan, and high bank overdraft fees prompt a call for plain-English disclosure forms.
What to Know Before Sharing Credit Accounts With a Parent
A generous idea that could backfire.
What Are Required Minimum Distributions?
A taste of your retirement
Tax-Smart Ways to Withdraw Funds From a 529 College Plan
Don’t get hit by a large tax bill.
High bank overdraft fees prompt call for plain-English disclosure forms
No more trickery.
Today’s top story: How students can avoid common bank and credit card fees. Also in the news: What to do if you can’t get a student credit card, how to lessen the financial pains of moving, and how to photograph your house for Airbnb.
How Students Can Avoid Common Bank and Credit Card Fees
Don’t pay the bank to access your money.
What to Do If You Can’t Get a Student Credit Card
A look at the alternatives.
Ask Brianna: How Can I Lessen the Financial Pain of Moving?
Painless ways to cut costs.
How to Photograph Your House for Airbnb
Attracting more renters.
Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for July. Also in the news: How to set up your 401(k), tips to evade gas pump skimmers, and how painting your bathroom this color could boost your home’s selling price.
NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for July 2017
What to look for in July.
How to Set Up Your 401(k)
A big step towards retirement.
Guard Your Card: 5 Tips to Evade Gas Pump Skimmers
Don’t get fleeced at the pump.
Paint your bathroom this color and boost your home’s selling price by $5,400
All about the blues.