Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 steps to breaking unhealthy financial habits. Also in the news: Another $400 in free college aid, 4 retirement savings strategies for family caregivers, and what to know about the trend in buying “vacation homes” before a regular “starter home.”

3 Steps to Breaking Unhealthy Financial Habits
How do you know if you have unhealthy financial habits, and what can you do to build better ones?

Another $400 in Free College Aid Could Be Coming Your Way
The 2022 federal budget increases the annual Pell Grant limit, and students could receive more aid as a result.

4 Retirement Savings Strategies for Family Caregivers
Providing care for a family member can put a dent in retirement savings, but there are ways to get your finances on track.

Should You Buy a Vacation Home Before a Starter Home?
Why millennials are buying a “second” before their first.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 pandemic-driven financial habits worth keeping. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring cleaning and COVID taxes, life insurance options when living with HIV, and be on the lookout for streaming service price hikes.

5 Pandemic-Driven Financial Habits Worth Keeping
Americans have picked up new financial habits during the pandemic, and continuing them could boost their finances.

Smart Money Podcast: Spring Cleaning and COVID Taxes
Tidy up your digital life.

Living With HIV? Life Insurance Is Available but Limited
People living with HIV have options, but strict requirements make coverage difficult to secure.

Watch Out for These Streaming Service Price Hikes
Streaming is getting costlier.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How the pandemic alters Americans’ financial habits. Also in the news: Navigating LGBTQ financial challenges, a July 15th tax extension reminder, and Americans are heading back to the stores.

Survey: How the Pandemic Alters Americans’ Financial Habits
Nearly 70% of Americans have been dealing with a negative impact to their finances.

Q&A With Debt Free Guys: Navigating LGBTQ Financial Challenges
Happy Pride!

If You Request a Tax Extension, You Still Have to Pay by July 15
You must file AND pay.

Americans appear ready to shop again
Back to the stores.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

taxesToday’s top story: Should you pay your taxes with a credit card? Also in the news: Smart money moves for April, tax myths about IRS audits and why having more money won’t fix your financial problems.

You can pay your taxes with credit card, but should you?
The convenience could become costly.

Smart Money Moves for April
Time to spring forward.

10 Tax Myths About IRS Audits That You Shouldn’t Believe
Myth busting the IRS.

More money won’t fix your financial problems if your habits suck
More money, more problems.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Free ways to improve your credit score. Also in the news: Financial habits to break, how a money club could improve your financial life, and tips to avoid a tax audit.

5 Free Ways to Improve Your Credit Score
Small things you can do to boost your numbers.

Break These Financial Habits in 2016
Getting back on track.

Start a Money Club to Improve Your Financial Life
Power in numbers.

7 Tips for Avoiding a Tax Audit
Honesty is the key.

7 in 10 Americans See Added Stigma in Credit Card Debt, Survey Shows
Are you ashamed of your debt?

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

321562-data-breachesToday’s top story: The excuses that are keeping you from being debt-free. Also in the news: A major data breach at Time-Warner Cable, smart ways to spend your tax refund, and why most Americans couldn’t handle a surprise $500 bill.

5 Excuses Keeping You From Being Debt-Free
No more excuses.

If you’re a Time-Warner Cable customer, you should change your passwords immediately
The first big data breach of 2016.

9 Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
Some are unexpected.

Most Americans can’t handle a $500 surprise bill
Living on the financial edge.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

401k-planToday’s top story: How Generation X can get back on track for retirement. Also in the news: What financially successful people do differently, how to save on your next water heater, and why your daily routine could be costing you big bucks.

How Generation X Can Get Back on Track for Retirement
Before it’s too late.

12 Things Financially Successful People Do Differently
Never too late to start.

How to Save When You Buy Your Next Water Heater
Better for the environment and your wallet.

5 Habits That Are Costing You Big Money
What does your daily routine cost you?

8 Times When It’s OK to Ding Your Credit Score
But only 8!

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainToday’s top story: How the new chip-based credit cards could accidentally hurt your credit. Also in the news: How to pay off lingering debt, which states have the best and worst financial habits, and why raiding your 401(k) is a mistake.

How Your New Credit Card Could Hurt Your Credit
Make sure you check your recurring charges.

A Simple Guide to Paying Off Lingering Debt
Slow and steady progress.

The states where people have the best and worst financial habits
How’s your state doing?

Why Raiding Your 401(k) Is a Mistake
The ultimate last resort.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

siblingsToday’s top story: What happens when couples disagree on the right time to retire? Also in the news: Bad financial habits you could be passing on to your kids, understanding charge-offs, and how to avoid extra costs when renting a car this summer.

When couples disagree on when to retire
Hot to reach common ground.

5 Bad Financial Habits You May Be Passing On to Your Children
Not the kind of legacy you want to leave.

I Paid My Debt. Why is it Still ‘Charged Off’?
Understanding your credit report.

7 Costly Car Rental Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t pay more than you already have to.

10 Terms You Need to Know If You Ever Plan to Retire
Becoming familiar with the vocabulary of retirement.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

homebuyerToday’s top story: How to purchase a home in a tough real estate market. Also in the news: Keeping your credit cards safe, important retirement milestones, and why you should avoid bad credit loans.

How to Buy a Home in a Competitive Real Estate Market
Getting the right lender is crucial.

The Everyday Household Item That Can Keep Your Credit Card Safe
You’ll never look at a bag of coffee the same way again.

Top 7 Retirement Milestones You Need to Know
Retirement planning doesn’t end when you get the gold watch.

5 Types of Bad Credit Loans to Avoid
The quick fix will be painful in the long run.

Don’t Wait: 6 Good Financial Habits for 30-Somethings
The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.