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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The checks that could change your financial life. Also in the news: Should you sign up for Medicare if you’re 65 and still working, 6 signs you’re about to overpay for life insurance, and 7 products being slammed by inflation.

The Checks That Could Change Your Financial Life
A temporary boost to the child tax credit can help fuel emergency savings, cut debt and build financial stability.

Should You Sign Up for Medicare If You’re 65 and Still Working?
Signing up for Medicare at 65 may make sense even if you have private insurance through your or your spouse’s job.

6 Signs You’re About to Overpay for Life Insurance
If you focus on convenience or a policy’s extra benefits, you might pay too much. Here’s what to look out for.

7 Products Being Slammed by Inflation (and How to Avoid Spending More)
From computer chips to steaks.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 4 quick financial wins you can score in an hour. Also in the news: Why getting a mortgage may be easier now – and riskier, how to protect your savings from inflation, and why trip insurance may not help if Hurricane Florence ruins your cruise.

Got an Hour? Chalk Up 4 Quick Financial Wins
Four tasks under fifteen minutes each.

Why Getting a Mortgage May Be Easier Now — and Riskier
It’s all about your debt-to-income ratio.

Inflation Erodes Your Savings. Here’s How to Shore Them Up
Strategies to keep inflation at bay.

Why trip insurance may not help if Hurricane Florence ruins your cruise vacation
The itinerary deviation clause.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Want to become a millionaire? These choices can get you there. Also in the news: Use points and miles on ordinary expenses, being partners in finances and life, and how to shore up your savings against inflation.

Want to Become a Millionaire? These Choices Can Get You There
The road to a million.

Go Ahead, Use Points and Miles on Ordinary Expenses
Leave some wiggle room in your budget.

Be Partners in Finances As Well As in Life
Understanding the big picture together.

Inflation Erodes Your Savings. Here’s How to Shore Them Up
Don’t be caught short.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Happy New Year!

Today’s top story: How to start 2014 on the right financial foot. Also in the news: A millennial’s guide to personal finance, ways to cut taxes while saving for retirement, and apps that will help you reach your financial goals for the new year.smartphones_finance

7 Tips to Get Your New Year’s Money Resolution Started Off Right
You’re going to want to stick to these.

The Millennial’s Guide to Personal Finance
Time to start taking your finances seriously.

3 ways to cut taxes while saving for retirement
Paying attention to your tax bracket.

5 Apps to Help Keep Your 2014 Financial Goals
Track your finances in between rounds of Candy Crush.

How Inflation Will Cut Your Taxes in 2014
New year, new adjustments.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Old Woman Hand on CaneTips on staying debt free, managing an aging parent’s finances and the importance of “the money talk” before heading down the aisle.

How to Stay Debt-Free

Small steps you can take to stay out of debt.

Does This Smell Bad to You? How Long Foods Last

Tips on how to save money by not wasting food.

10 Items Whose Prices Have Jumped the Most in the Past 10 Years

Gasoline, college tuition and…eggs?

Have a Debt Talk Before ‘I Do’

Before walking down the aisle, find out where you both stand on past, present and future debt.

How to Approach Aging Parents’ Mental Decline

Advice on how to deal with parents’ compromised financial situations in a sensitive manner.

Friday Follows: What’s interesting out there

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Here are some recent, thought-provoking articles that are worth a look:

“Get ready: inflation may hit 15%” from Kathy Kristof on MoneyWatch. Alarmist? Maybe, but there’s a lot of cheap money sloshing around in the economy right now. Once the economy heats up, that fuel could catch fire. If you don’t remember the 1970s, this is a good primer in what to do when prices skyrocket.

“Daily coupon deals may not work for buyers, sellers” from USA Today. I’ve gotten some great deals–and some real stinkers. Some businesses benefit, others don’t. What do you think?

“Bouncing back” from another friend, Melissa Balmain, on Success. How people find the strength to go on in tough times, and how to develop your own “resistance muscle.”

“Bulls, bears and bailouts” from ProPublica captures the highlights of a Reddit chat with Wall Street reporter Jesse Eisinger. Jesse’s answer to why more of the architects of the financial collapse aren’t in jail? “Prosecutors have been overly risk-averse.”