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Credit Scores

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do when back-to-school bites you in the budget. Also in the news: Advice and warnings for starting your own cannabis business, why Millennials need to build credit smarts and find out of your state is having a back-to-school tax-free weekend.

What to Do When Back to School Bites You in the Budget
You’ll need to prioritize.

Advice and warnings for starting your own cannabis business
The new Green economy.

Millennial Money: Credit score up? Build credit smarts, too
Protect your score.

Find Out If Your State Is Having a Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend in 2019
Did your state make the list?

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The average credit score is rising. Also in the news: 3 money-saving tips for buying a washer, a statute of limitations on student loans, and why you should always buy airfare on a credit card.

Credit Scores Are Rising — Is Yours, Too?
Every little bit matters.

Want to Clean Up? 3 Money-Saving Tips for Buying a Washer
Don’t get hung out to dry.

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Student Loans?
The answer is complicated.

Always Buy Airfare on a Credit Card
Additional protection.

Is better credit worth exposing your bank data?

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America’s credit bureaus haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to protecting your private data. So you might well be skeptical about two new credit-enhancing products that require not just credit information but also access to your bank accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why the boost in your score might not be worth the exposure of your banking data.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Make a home down payment without wrecking your finances. Also in the news: What could happen to your credit score when you close accounts, how to sidestep the potential pitfalls of travel credit cards, and why most teens don’t believe they’ll be financially independent from their parents by age 30.

Make a Home Down Payment Without Wrecking Your Finances
Don’t leave yourself empty-handed.

Ditching Credit Cards? Here’s What Could Happen to Your Score
Closing your accounts could lower your score.

How to Sidestep the Potential Pitfalls of Travel Credit Cards
Dodging blackout dates.

Teens don’t believe they’ll be financially independent from parents by 30: Survey
Bad news for parents.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: In the points and miles game, blind loyalty can cost you. Also in the news: The best mortgage lenders with no origination fee, how a personal loan affects your credit score, and how thinking like an optimist could help you save more.

In the Points and Miles Game, Blind Loyalty Can Cost You
You could end up losing the points game.

Best Mortgage Lenders with No Origination Fee of 2019
They’re not easy to find.

How Does a Personal Loan Affect Your Credit Score?
A chance to improve your score.

To Save More, Think Like an Optimist
The saving power of positive thinking.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The one form that could be the root of all your tax woes. Also in the news: Income-driven student loan repayments, 4 credit score horror stories that could happen to anyone, and understanding the difference between a hobby and a side hustle.

This One Form Could Be the Root of All Your Tax Woes
The innocent looking W-4.

Income-Driven Repayment: Is It Right for You?
What to do when you can’t afford your student loan payments.

4 credit score horror stories that could happen to anyone
Tiny mistakes that could trash your credit.

Before You Do Your Taxes, Understand the Difference Between a Hobby and a Side Hustle
When your hobby becomes a job.