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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: More than half of college students don’t check their credit scores. Also in the news: Avoiding common home buying mistakes, the habits of successful savers, and three employee benefits you may be missing.

More Than Half of Students Don’t Check Their Credit Scores
A very big mistake.

How To Avoid Common Home Buying Mistakes
Don’t turn your home into a money pit.

6 Habits of Highly Successful Savers
Learning from the best.

3 Sweet Employee Benefits You May Be Missing
You may be leaving money on the table.

What’s a Tax Consultant, and Do You Need One?
Deciding when you need tax help.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Excellent Credit Score with writing hand
Excellent Credit Score with writing hand
Today’s top story: What can lead to a black mark on your credit report. Also in the news: Rules to follow for starting a business with a friend, how to reduce student loan costs, and the most undervalued cities in the United States.

What Will Leave a Black Mark on My Credit Report?
Discovering what qualifies for the dreaded black mark.

3 Rules For Starting A Business With A Friend
Get it all in writing.

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Student Loan Costs
Tips that can help you reduce what you owe and pay off your loans faster.

The U.S. Cities With the Most Undervalued (and Overvalued) Housing
Relocating? Here are a few cities to consider.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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co-signer-penToday’s top story: How to keep your identity secure. Also in the news: Automating your way to wealth, what you need to consider before becoming a co-signer, and what to tell your grandkids about saving for retirement.

Keep Your Identity Secure With a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert
Protecting your important assets.

How to Automate Your Way to Wealth
Putting technology to work for you.

Stop. Drop. And Read This Before Becoming a Co-signer.
Consider the long-term impact.

6 things to tell your grandkids about saving for retirement
Get them on the right path early.

Social Security’s divorce and survivors benefits for same-sex married couples

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gay-marriage-cake-toppers-485x320Same-sex marriage has been legal long enough in a couple of U.S. states that its pioneers may qualify for Social Security benefits even if they divorce.

Marriages that last at least 10 years before they end qualify the participants for both spousal and survivor benefits from Social Security. Spousal benefits equal up to half the benefit a spouse or ex-spouse has earned, while survivors benefits typically are equal to what the spouse or ex-spouse was receiving at death.

More information on the benefits available to same-sex married couples can be found in my column for Bankrate.

Also on Bankrate, I answer a reader’s question about using her 401(k) account to delay taking Social Security benefits. And on Reuters, I take a look at why parents are spending more and worrying less about college.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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retirement-savings3Today’s top story: Why you cannot afford to become complacent about money. Also in the news:The financial steps you need to take after your spouse dies, how to get into a money-saving mindset, and why getting your debt in order is essential for a good retirement.

5 Ways Complacency Can Cost You Serious Money
The importance of staying on your toes.

Financial steps to take after your spouse dies
Protecting yourself during a difficult time.

3 Tips to Stay in the Money-Saving Mindset
Changing money habits could result in big savings.

Don’t Let Debt Blow Your Retirement
Getting your debt in order is essential for a good retirement.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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refinancingToday’s top story: What you need to know about divorce and credit. Also in the news: Things that surprisingly don’t affect your credit, back-to-school shopping hacks, and what to consider when deciding whether to sell your house or rent.

Help! I’m Getting Divorced. How Do We Split Our Credit?
What you need to know about divorce and credit.

9 Things That Surprisingly Won’t Affect Your Credit
When paying your bills on time doesn’t make a difference.

14 Back-to-School Shopping Hacks
Keeping more money in your wallet.

Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out? – Things to Consider
The pros and cons of each.