Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 ways to rein in impulse spending. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on lifestyle creep and booking cheap travel, 4 business financial metrics to track performance, and 8 other things your digital wallet can do for you.

5 Ways to Rein In Impulse Spending
Get a handle on urges before a debt cycle starts — especially if you expect holiday expenses in the months ahead.

Smart Money Podcast: Lifestyle Creep and Booking Cheap Travel
How to know if you’re falling victim to it, tips for preventing it and how to spend your money intentionally.

Know These 4 Business Financial Metrics to Track Performance
Understanding your financial performance is essential to making informed business decisions. These four metrics can help.

8 Other Things Your Digital Wallet Can Do for You
Send and receive money, lower exposure to germs when paying and get more benefits by using a digital wallet.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 common debt consolidation mistakes and how to avoid them. Also in the news: Inflation could be sapping your pandemic savings, how your driving habits can lower your insurance bills, and how lifestyle creep can erode your savings one raise at a time.

4 Common Debt Consolidation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Before you consolidate, build your credit, assess your budget and compare consolidating to other debt payoff strategies.

As Pandemic Saving Settles, Inflation Could Sap Your Surplus
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans have been able to tuck away more cash than ever before.

How Your Driving Habits Can Lower Your Insurance Bill
Telematics insurance can help you lower your car insurance rates, as long as you’re a safe driver.

Lifestyle Creep: Eroding Your Savings, One Raise at a Time
Lifestyle creep may put your retirement savings at risk more than anything else.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Green Dot launches 3% cash back and savings account. Also in the news: Apps that could prompt impromptu spending, how to avoid lifestyle creep, and how to financially plan for having kids.

Green Dot Launches 3% Cash Back and Savings Account
A new offering from Green Dot.

These Types of Apps Could Prompt Impromptu Spending
You don’t need any help spending money.

Don’t Let Lifestyle Creep Sneak Up on You
Staying in your lifestyle lane.

How to Financially Plan for Having Kids
They’re both cute and costly.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t let lifestyle creep sneak up on you. Also in the news: 7 steps to buying a house, do you need a tax ID number, and how to make sure you don’t lose your credit card rewards when closing the card.

Don’t Let Lifestyle Creep Sneak Up on You
Living within your means.

What Is a Tax ID Number, and Do I Need One?
Going beyond your Social Security number.

Home Buying Checklist: 7 Steps to Buying a House
Making an important list.

How to Make Sure You Don’t Lose Your Credit Card Rewards When You Close the Card
Reading the fine print.