Friday’s need-to-know money news

Student-LoansToday’s top story: What to buy for every month of the year. Also in the news: Why you should think twice before borrowing for your kid’s college, why you need to stop hoarding your credit card rewards, and why banks are starting to look more like cafes.

What to Buy Every Month of the Year in 2017
Shopping smart.

Think Twice Before Borrowing for Your Kid’s College
You could spend decades paying it back.

Credit Card Rewards Are for Spending, Not Hoarding
Use ’em before you lose ’em.

Decaf with your deposit, ma’am? Reinventing the bank branch
Get a latte with your loan.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to begin taking over your parents’ finances. Also in the news: The psychological roots of your money habits, how to buy a home when you’re self-employed, and the best and worst things to buy online.

Taking Over Parents’ Finances: First Steps
How to handle a delicate situation.

Deciphering Your Money Mindset
Getting to the psychological roots of your money habits.

How to Buy a Home When You’re Self-Employed
It won’t be easy, but it’s doable.

The 10 best and worst items to buy online
Some of these may surprise you.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Avoiding panic on Black Friday. Also in the news: Shopping strategies for Black Friday, how to earn the most credit card rewards during holiday shopping, and what to consider before applying for a medical credit card. Gift

How to Avoid Panic Buying on Black Friday
Keep Calm and Shop On.

How to Win Black Friday: Shopping Strategies
Getting your gameplan on.

5 Black Friday tricks to avoid
How not to fall for retail tricks.

Earn The Most Credit Card Rewards During Your Holiday Shopping 2013
Stocking up rewards as stuff the stockings.

What to Consider Before Applying for a Medical Credit Card
Pay close attention to interest rates and hidden fees.

The problem with bargain hunting

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERADeal sites. Garage sales. Thrift stores. All can be a part of a frugal lifestyle. Or they can just be substitutes for a more expensive shopping habit. The question to ask: Are these thrifty alternatives really thrifty for you? Or are they just feeding that lust for acquisition that leads to too much stuff and too little money?

In a terrific article for LearnVest titled “How I maxed out my retirement savings while making $28,000 a year,” writer Leah Manderson puts her finger on the problem:

I tried a stint at being frugal; shopping the sales and searching out deals on food, entertainment and other activities. What I discovered was that a lot of deal-hunting activities are attempts at “keeping up with the Joneses on less,” and, not surprisingly, they made me feel like a lesser version of the Joneses.

That feeling did not make me want to save money for my future—it made me want to spend more money on “deals”!

Manderson found more peace, and more savings, by unsubscribing from deal sites and making do with what she had: “I let my hair grow out, I made new outfits with clothes already in my closet, I rearranged my home decor to change my surroundings, I reread old books that I loved, and I got comfortable with living on less.”

Most of us have more than enough. Recognizing that can help tame the beast within that insists we “need” the new shiny thing that just captured our attention.

Or you can just remember something my grandmother said while laughing at retailer signs that promised big savings. “You’re not saving,” she said. “You’re spending!”

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Flying Piggy BankHow your good credit can be a valuable ally, never paying full price ever again, and everything you ever wanted to know about the debt ceiling but were afraid to ask.

4 Times Good Credit Can Come to Your Rescue
Good credit can be your best friend during emergencies.

Splitting From Wife, Want Cash From Home
How to draw cash from a home where you’re soon-to-be ex is still there.

Haggling 101: Six ways to get a deal on anything
Paying full price is SO yesterday.

8 Hobbies That Can Fund Retirement
That old rock collection finally comes in handy.

10 simple things that finally explain the debt ceiling
Introducing the next big fight that could paralyze congress.

Thursday’s need-to know-money news

College studentAvoiding health care scams, improving your credit mix, and navigating the rocky roads of inheritance.

How to Avoid Healthcare Fraud
Don’t let yourself be scammed.

Rules of the Road for Improving Your Credit Mix
Taking on new credit could make it easier to get a mortgage.

Stop Family Feuds Over Inheritances Before They Start
Few things can tear a family apart worse than a will.

7 Huge Mistakes Back to School Shoppers Make
How to avoid overspending during the chaos of back to school shopping.

How to Buy Maternity and Kids Clothes on the Cheap
Don’t spend a fortune on clothes everyone will outgrow.