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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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mortgage2Today’s top story: Why debt-to-income ratio matter when buying a house. Also in the news: Crucial insurance changed to make after divorce, how to manage your finances when you’re separated, and a bill in congress that would remove credit report strikes after four years.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Matters When You’re Buying a House
How to improve your DTI.

5 Crucial Insurance Changes After Divorce
Things to address immediately.

Managing Your Finances When You’re Separated
You may be apart, but your money is still together.

This Bill in Congress Would Remove Credit Report Strikes After Four Years
Significant changes could be ahead.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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business girl with shopping bagsToday’s top story: How to find the best deals for Memorial Day sales. Also in the news: Money mistakes to avoid for new grads, why Americans are pretty clueless about their credit cards and scores, and deciding what to do with an old 401(k).

Memorial Day Sales: How to Snag a Good Deal, Guaranteed
The most bang for your buck.

New Grads: Avoid These 5 Money Mistakes
Don’t start off on the wrong foot.

Survey: Americans are pretty clueless on credit cards and scores
We need to do better.

To Roll Over or Not to Roll Over: What to Do With That Old 401(k)
What works best for you?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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1594411528_1512b1aad5_zToday’s top story: Insurance changes to make when you retire. Also in the news: Deciding between whole life and term life insurance, protecting your credit card points, and the pros and cons of balance transfer credit cards.

5 Insurance Changes to Make When You Retire
It’s a whole new ballgame.

Should I Get Whole Life Insurance or Term Life? Financial Experts Weigh In
Deciding what works best for you.

Crooks Want Your Credit Card Points — Here’s What to Do
Protecting your points.

The Pros and (Mostly) Cons of Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Money saver or money pit?

6 Things Detroit’s Bankruptcy Can Teach You About Money
Tips from an unexpexted source.

When Bankruptcy Is the Best Option

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bankruptcyBankruptcy isn’t the end of the world. It may even be good for you.

Bankruptcy stops collection calls, lawsuits and wage garnishments. It erases debt. And despite what you’ve heard, bankruptcy may help your credit scores.

Credit bureaus and scoring experts often say bankruptcy is the single worst thing you can do to your scores. Foreclosures, repossessions, charge-offs, collections — nothing else can drive your scores down as fast and far as a bankruptcy.

In my latest for NerdWallet, a look at when bankruptcy is the most helpful option.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Image9Today’s top story: The best way to invest $5,000. Also in the news: How a credit card helps with building credit, the life-and-death financial decision you don’t want to think about, and apps to help lazy people save money.

The Best Ways to Invest $5,000
Putting your money to work.

Building Credit? How a Credit Card ‘Gets You There Faster’
One way to build credit.

The Life-and-Death Financial Decision You Don’t Want to Think About
Life insurance is essential.

These Apps Are the Perfect Money Saving Tool For Lazy People
No more excuses.