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cost of living increase

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to mend holes in your budget with a little needle and thread. Also in the news: Understanding online loans, the cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, and a 2% boost is on the way for Social Security in 2018.

Mend Holes in Your Budget With a Little Needle and Thread
Easy repair measures.

Understanding Online Loans
Reading the fine print.

Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small Businesses
Protecting your digital assets.

Social Security benefits to get 2% boost in 2018
A small raise is in the future.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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emergency-fund-1940x900_36282Today’s top story: When to ditch your state’s health insurance exchange. Also in the news: Tailgating blunders your insurance will pay for, how to handle unexpected financial disasters, and how much next year’s Social Security cost of living increase will be.

When to Ditch Your State’s Health Insurance Exchange
When to look off of the exchanges.

5 Football Tailgating Blunders Insurance Will Pay For
Accidentally grill your car? You’re covered!

No Savings, No Backup Plan, No Fairy Godmother: How to Handle a Financial Disaster
This is why you need an emergency fund.

Next year’s Social Security raise? Less than $4 a month
Lowering your expectations.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Credit report with score on a desk
Credit report with score on a desk
Today’s top story: Understanding your credit card’s free FICO score. Also in the news: The difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry, surviving Social Security with a minor cost of living adjustment, and how apps can both help and hurt your finances.

To Understand Your Credit Card’s Free FICO Score, Get Your Credit Report
How your credit card use factors into scores.

What’s the Difference Between a Soft Inquiry and a Hard Inquiry on My Credit Report?
Which ones affect your credit score?

Social Security survival strategies with COLA only at 0.2%
Surving a stagnant cost of living increase adjustment.

How Apps Can Help (and Hurt) Your Finances
Could your apps lead you to spend more?

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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imagesToday’s top story: How to tackle your financial demons this Halloween. Also in the news: What to keep an eye on during open enrollment, what next year’s cost of living increase will be, and why your tax refund check could be later than usual.

5 Financial Fears to Confront and Conquer This Halloween
Time to put your tough guy mask on.

What to watch for during open enrollment
Keep an eye out for plan changes.

Social Security benefits get another tiny raise
An average of $20.00 per recipient.

IRS Chief Warns of Possible Tax-Refund Delays
Your refund may be a bit late this year.

How Chess Players Can Win at Personal Finance
Thinking several moves ahead.