Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How Millennials can take their money beyond the basics. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring money tasks and debt strategies, using your tax refund to pay down debt, and how fear, doubt and uncertainty can derail crypto and investing plans.

How Millennials Can Take Their Money Beyond the Basics
You’ve mastered money management fundamentals, which served you well for a time. But a few tweaks to your finances will make a big difference as you approach your 40s and beyond.

Smart Money Podcast: 3 Spring Money Tasks, and Debt Payoff Options
Check on your money goals. Then learn about several debt payoff strategies, which vary in their effectiveness.

Use Your Tax Refund to Knock Down Debt, Lift Your Finances
Bringing balances down can save on interest, help your credit score and clear the path to reaching financial goals.

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt Can Derail Crypto, Investing Plans
Cryptocurrency investors commonly use the term FUD to describe what they see as unfounded skepticism.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Spring-clean your finances with some automation. Also in the news: How millennials can take their money to the next level, the latest scams targeting taxpayers, and which airline has the best rewards.

Spring-clean finances with some automation
Consider these strategies from financial experts.

Millennial Money: Take your money to the next level
It’s time for your money management to grow up a bit.

Tax Season Is Here Again, and So Are the Scams Targeting Taxpayers
The latest scams, and how to protect yourself.

Who has the best airline rewards?
Deciphering what your miles are worth.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Today’s definition of financial adulthood is more flexible than ever. Also in the news: Which airlines have handled COVID-19 the best, 3 ways to say no at a car dealership, and a beginner’s guide to filling out your W-4.

Today’s Definition of Financial Adulthood Is More Flexible Than Ever
Young adults are rethinking their financial plans.

Which Airlines Have Handled COVID-19 the Best?
Where does your favorite rank?

3 Ways to Say No at a Car Dealership
Staanding firm in the finance office.

A Beginner’s Guide to Filling Out Your W-4
The IRS makes it confusing.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Concerned about Coronoavirus? How to prepare your house, mind and bank account. Also in the news: 3 ways Millennials are getting money right, what to buy (and skip) in March, and 6 moves to make if you’ve saved more than $1,000 in your checking account.

Concerned About Coronavirus? How to Prepare Your House, Mind and Bank Account
Practical steps.

3 Ways Millennials Are Getting Money Right
Forget the avocado toast trope.

What to Buy (and Skip) in March
Deep discounts on tax software.

If You’ve Saved More Than $1,000 in Your Checking Account, Make These 6 Moves
Don’t let it sit there.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to write a will that won’t trigger a family feud. Also in the news: Bundling insurance doesn’t always save money, Millennials are doing just fine with their finances, and deciding if you can afford to have kids.

How to Write a Will That Won’t Trigger a Family Feud
Keeping the peace during a difficult time.

Will You Save Money Bundling Insurance? Not Always
The pros and cons of bundles.

Don’t Believe the Hype About Millennials and Money
They’re doing just fine.

Are You Too Broke to Be a Parent?
Making important financial decisions.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t believe the hype about Millennials and money. Also in the news: 3 low-stress ways to invest for retirement, 4 quick financial wins in under an hour, and 10 unexpected debt traps – and how to avoid them.

Don’t Believe the Hype About Millennials and Money
Forget the avocado toast cliche.

3 Low-Stress Ways to Invest for Retirement
It doesn’t have to be stressful.

Got an Hour? Chalk Up 4 Quick Financial Wins
60 minutes well spent.

10 Unexpected Debt Traps – and How to Avoid Them
Don’t get caught in these traps.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why couples need their own slush fund. Also in the news: 5 signs it’s time to break up with your financial advisor, easy home touch-ups to bring in more buyers, and the dark reason so many millennials are miserable and broke.

Why Couples Need Their Own Slush Funds
Separate doesn’t have to mean secret.

5 Signs It’s Time to Break Up With Your Financial Advisor
What to look out for.

Easy Home Touch-Ups to Bring All the Buyers to Your Yard
Giving your home more curb appeal.

The dark reason so many millennials are miserable and broke
Social media is taking a toll.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Image9Today’s top story: Summer tax tips to avoid surprises in April. Also in the news: Common savings mistakes you can fix right now, why mobile banking is only as safe as your app, and four ways Millennials are smarter about money than Baby Boomers.

5 Summer Tax Tips to Avoid Surprises in April
It’s never too early to start.

3 Common Saving Mistakes You Can Fix Right Now
Easy fixes.

From download to deposit, mobile banking only as safe as your app
Protecting your information.

Four Ways Millennials are Smarter About Money Than Boomers
They’re all about the budgets.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

interest-rates-300x225Today’s top story: How to find the best mortgage interest rate. Also in the news: How to financially prepare for a spouse’s deployment, the biggest credit card mistakes made by millennials, and where to find the best St. Patrick’s Day deals.

How to Score the Best Mortgage Interest Rate
Finding the best interest rate on a mortgage that suits your needs.

How to Plan Financially for a Spouse’s Absence
Getting your finances in order before a spouse is deployed.

The 4 biggest mistakes millennials make when it comes to credit cards
Mistakes that can have long-term consequences.

The Best St. Patrick’s Day Sales and Deals of 2016
There are deals to be found at the end of the rainbow.

Before Filing Your Taxes With IRS, Consider This
There’s such a thing as too much information.

Are you saving too much?

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailWe know Americans aren’t great at math, so there may be people taken in by a column headlined, “If you have savings in your 20s, you’re doing something wrong.” The post went viral, leading to counter-posts by virtually everyone in the known universe who understands how money works.

Bottom line: You can’t ignore the power of compounded returns. If you don’t know why that’s so important, Google it or read this column by Michelle Singletary in the Washington Post: “In your 20s? Don’t squander your biggest asset: time.”

Carpe diem isn’t exactly a new idea. Since the beginning of time (or at least since the invention of money), people have argued that living for today is far more important than saving for tomorrow. But smart folks do both. I traveled a lot in my 20s and 30s, including a trip around the world, and did other expensive things like learn to fly an airplane. But I also saved money–a ton of money–for retirement. And now, decades later, I have a lot of options that people who got a late start saving for retirement don’t have. I can retire early or cut way back on our savings, and we’ll be fine.

It is certainly possible to save too much, but it’s not that common. If you’ve maxed out all your retirement savings options and are looking for additional ways to save, maybe it’s time to think about loosening up (unless you’re making up for a late start). But we’re certainly not facing an epidemic of over-saving–among young people or anyone else.