Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How a financial therapist can help shift your money mindset. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on new money resolutions and strategizing debt payoff, how to attract busy contractors to your home remodel, and saving for what makes you feel good in 2022.

How a Financial Therapist Can Help Shift Your Money Mindset
A financial therapist can help you challenge your money fears and make progress in your investing journey.

Smart Money Podcast: New Money Resolutions, and Strategizing Debt Payoff
This week’s episode starts with a conversation about how to craft and achieve your money resolutions in the new year.

How to Attract Busy Contractors to Your Home Remodel
Patience, planning and a good referral can help homeowners stand out to contractors for home remodel projects.

Save for What Makes You Feel Good in 2022
Expenses that don’t put a roof over your head, but do provide joy, rejuvenation and other hard-to-quantify benefits are worth saving for, too.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How one airline is prioritizing customer safety. Also in the news: Getting your money resolutions back on track, treating your third stimulus differently, and the IRS expands eligibility for $10,2000 unemployment tax break.

Spring Travel Ahead? One Airline Is Prioritizing Customer Safety
Delta is now the only major airline blocking middle seats on all domestic flights through the spring.

Make a Plan to Get Your Money Resolution Back on Track
It’s not too late.

Why You Might Treat Your Third Stimulus Check Differently
Immediate needs come first, then savings. Consider gifts to those in need and teaching your children about money.

IRS Expands Eligibility for $10,200 Unemployment Tax Break
Find out how the tax break works.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 9 money resolutions and tips for 2020 from our experts. Also in the news: How one woman paid off nearly $125,000 of debt in nine years, how to pay off Parent PLUS loans faster, and why the IRS wants you to do your taxes early.

9 Money Resolutions (and Tips) for 2020 From Our Experts
There’s still time to restart your resolutions.

How I Ditched Debt: Keeping a ‘Passion for Fashion’ on the Road to Repayment
How one woman paid off nearly $125,000 of debt in nine years.

How to Pay Off Parent PLUS Loans Faster
Refinancing could get your loan done quicker.

Why the IRS Wants You to Do Your Taxes Early
Preventing refund fraud.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 9 money resolutions (and tips) for 2020. Also in the news: How and when to ask for a credit card retention offer, the high-interest account you’ve never heard of, and how to avoid a tax audit in 2020.

9 Money Resolutions (and Tips) for 2020 From Our Experts
A chance for a new start.

How and When to Ask for a Credit Card Retention Offer
Making the banks keep you as a customer.

The High-Interest Account You’ve Never Heard Of
Learn about cash management accounts.

How to Avoid a Tax Audit in 2020
Crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to make a money resolution that succeeds. Also in the news: Cashless kids’ allowances, 3 things to know about Spotify’s IPO, and why you should prioritize your job’s 401(k) benefits over offers of student loan help.

Ask Brianna: How Do I Make a Money Resolution That Succeeds?
How to stick with it.

For Kids’ Allowance, No Cash Required
Preparing your kids for life in the digital world.

Spotify’s Oddball IPO: 3 Things to Know Before You Buy
The streaming service is going public.

Prioritize Your Job’s 401(k) Benefits Over Their Offers of Student Loan Help
Taking the long view.

6 money resolutions you can actually keep

Let’s face the grim truth: Those 10 pounds you want to lose will likely be among your New Year’s resolutions next year, too.

If you really want a sense of accomplishment, take care of money tasks that don’t require ongoing discipline and that you typically don’t have to repeat every year. In my latest for the Associated Press, what you can do to create a sense of progress towards your financial goals.

What the Fed rate hike means to you, and your wallet

For everyone who has been saying interest rates can only go up, well – now is their time. But what does the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates actually mean for your wallet?

Probably not much for the near-term.

One small interest rate hike of one-quarter of a percentage point is unlikely to have much impact on your budget, but that does not mean you should ignore the Fed’s first rate increase since 2006.

In my latest for Reuters, what to expect as a result of the hike.

In my latest for MoneyWatch, three money resolutions for 2016 – and how to keep them.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The scary statistics of identity theft. Also in the news: A money checklist for 2014, financial resolutions for the new year, and what will cost more in ’14.

These Identity Theft Statistics Are Even Scarier Than You’d Expect
Don’t become a statistic.

Your New Year Money Checklist
Preparing your money for the new year.

5 Financial Resolutions You Need to Make
And stick to!

6 Things That Will Cost More in 2014
Chocolate!

7 Ways To Be Better At Your Job In 2014
What you can do to increase your job security.