Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t let technology bully you into tipping. Also in the news: 4 things that could make you the target of an audit, how lending a hand by co-signing a loan can backfire, and 7 smart ways to spend a $1,000 tax refund.

Don’t Let Technology Bully You Into Tipping
You decide how much.

4 Things That Could Make You a Target for a Tax Audit
Freelancers especially.

Lending a Hand by Co-Signing a Loan Can Backfire
Good intentions can lead to bad trouble.

7 Smart Ways to Spend a $1,000 Tax Refund
How to spend your windfall.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to live below your means without feeling deprived. Also in the news: How to dodge the drama of family loans, the launch of Apple Pay Cash, and using Social Security benefits to plan your retirement income.

How to Live Below Your Means Without Feeling Deprived
It doesn’t have to be a slog.

Family Loans: How to Dodge the Drama
Coping with one of the touchiest subjects.

Apple Pay Cash Launches: How It Stacks Up
A new money transfer app.

An almost perfect retirement income source
Using Social Security benefits to plan your retirement income

Q&A: Authentication apps can help thwart hackers

Dear Liz: I’ve heard that authentication apps are a better way to go than two-factor authentication that texts codes to your cell phone. Can you explain more?

Answer: Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to financial, email, social media, cloud storage and other accounts. The first factor is something you know, which is a typically a password, and the second is something you have, such as a code that’s texted to you or generated by a device or authentication app.

The second factor is important, since passwords can be guessed or stolen in database breaches. Texted codes can be intercepted by hackers, so security experts recommend using an authenticator. Three popular apps are Google Authenticator, LastPass Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator.

To use an authenticator, you must first enable two-factor authentication on the account you want to protect. Unfortunately, not every account provider offers two-factor authentication, although they should. You can find whether yours does at twofactorauth.org.

If the account provider supports authentication, you’ll typically be asked to take a snapshot of a QR code using the authenticator app to establish a connection between your account and the app. When you later log in to those sites, you’ll be asked to type in the code randomly generated by the app.

Any security approach can be thwarted, but the idea behind two-factor authentication is making your accounts hard enough to crack that most hackers will move on to an easier target.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How 3 people conquered credit trouble and bought homes. Also in the news: Top 10 apps for buying the right car at the right time, biting on Whole Foods new prices, and 6 Equifax hack rumors fact-checked.

How 3 People Conquered Credit Trouble and Bought Homes
How to come back from credit trouble.

Top 10 Apps for Buying the Right Car at the Right Price
Get the car you want at the price you want.

Should You Bite On Whole Foods’ New Prices? Maybe Not
Are you really saving?

6 Equifax hack rumors fact-checked
Fact from fiction.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best bank accounts and credit unions of 2017. Also in the news: Tips for investing in your 30s, using apps to save money without thinking, and the five biggest tax breaks for the self-employed.

NerdWallet’s Best Bank Accounts and Credit Unions of 2017
Where you should do business.

5 Tips for Investing in Your 30s
Taking the long view.

Want to Save Money Without Thinking? Try These Apps
You won’t even notice.

5 biggest tax breaks for the self-employed
How to keep more of your money.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Image9Today’s top story: Insider tips for finding affordable long-term care insurance. Also in the news: The most affordable time of year to buy a house, states that help consumers save money on insurance, and an app that compares the prices of every ride sharing option.

5 Insider Tips for Finding Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance
Buy sooner rather than later.

The Most Affordable Time of Year to Buy a Home
Holding out until winter.

5 States That Help Consumers Get Answers, Save Money on Insurance
Do you live in one of them?

RideGuru Compares the Cost of Every Ride Sharing Option
Don’t get taken for a ride.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 ways you’re sabotaging your mortgage preapproval. Also in the news: the top 10 car buying apps, how to keep from going broke when you get divorced, and your financial to-do list for September.

Stop! 6 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Mortgage Preapproval
Stop it!

10 Top Car-Buying Apps
Savings at your fingertips.

6 ways to keep from going broke when you get divorced
Protecting your finances during a difficult time.

Your September Financial To-Do List
New season, new tasks.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

hidden-fees1Today’s top story; How a Trump win could impact college students. Also in the news: Tips on caring for aging parents, what you need to know about online lending services, and financial apps that will save you money this summer.

4 Ways a Trump Win Could Impact College Students
Looking ahead to a possible Trump presidency.

Caring for Aging Parents: Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Finding time to take care of yourself.

What You Should Know About Online Lending Services
Fast money could come at a very steep price.

7 Financial Apps to Save You Money This Summer
Savings at your fingertips.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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.

Five apps to organize your financial life

smartphones_financeEarlier this year a tax pro mentioned the FileThis organizing app to me. Within seconds of installing it, I wondered, “Where has this been all my life?”

I have tried an absurd number of software programs that promised to simplify, streamline and de-clutter our family’s financial life. Most fell short, offering too little benefit, steep learning curves or both. A few insanely useful ones, though, made it to the mobile Hall of Fame, otherwise known as my home screen.

In my latest for Reuters, a look at five apps that will help you get a grip on your money.