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Get smart with your money

myths

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 steps to consolidate your debt with a personal loan. Also in the news: 5 myths about debt consolidation, collection costs on defaulted student loans, and the pitfalls of promotional APR credit cards.

5 Steps to Consolidate Your Debt With a Personal Loan
A to-do list.

Forget These 5 Myths You’ve Heard About Debt Consolidation
Separating truth from fiction.

How Much Are Collection Costs on Defaulted Student Loans?
Your balance could increase by 40%.

Think Long and Hard Before Using a Promotional APR
The small print could get you.

5 travel rewards myths that could cost you

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Twenty-four years ago, I knew so little about travel rewards that I took an around-the-world trip without signing up for a single frequent traveler program. Those lost points and miles still haunt me.

Fast forward to last summer, when our family stayed two nights at a luxury hotel in Venice, Italy. Our room would have cost an eye-popping €1,500, or about $1,700, per night. Thanks to the points I’d accumulated using a travel rewards credit card, this over-the-top stay was free.

There’s definitely a learning curve involved when it comes to travel rewards, but delaying your education can be costly if you love to travel. In my latest for the Associated Press, 5 travel reward myths to avoid.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 items that make any hotel room feel like home. Also in the news: 3 “tax-friendly” states that are anything but, the best thing you’ve done to get your finances in order, and 5 gas mileage myths that are wasting your money.

5 Items That Make Any Hotel Room Feel Like Home
You don’t have to feel like a stranger while on the road.

This Harsh Tax Can Make These 3 “Tax-Friendly” States Anything But
Nevada, Texas, and Washington.

What’s the Best Thing You’ve Done to Get Your Finances in Order?
Share your tips.

5 gas mileage myths that are wasting your money
You can leave the air conditioning on.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for May 2017. Also in the news: VA loan funding fees, the best banks for multiple savings accounts, and 401(k) myths you can’t afford to believe.

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for May 2017
Which cards you should be considering.

VA Loan Funding Fee: What You’ll Pay and Why in 2017
Don’t be caught off-guard.

Need Multiple Savings Accounts? Here’s Where to Bank
Which banks offer the most bang for your bucks.

401(k) myths you can’t afford to believe
Time for some myth busting.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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types-of-scholarshipsToday’s top story: Companies that help you repay or avoid student loans. Also in the news: Solutions to your retirement fund shortfall, debunking Social Security myths, and why Walmart is suing Visa.

6 Companies That Help You Repay or Avoid Student Loans
Alternative options.

10 Solutions to Your Retirement Fund Shortfall
There’s still time to catch up.

Debunking 3 Big Myths About Social Security
Getting to the truth.

Why Walmart is suing Visa, and what it means for your credit cards
Safety first.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to tell when financial advisors are worth the fee. Also in the news: Making your personal finances fun, how to prepare financially for starting a family, and uncovering tax myths.

Are Financial Advisors Worth the Fee?
When it’s time to call in the pros.

4 Ways to Make Your Personal Finances Fun
Gamifying your savings.

How To Prepare Financially For Starting A Family
Taking the important first step.

5 Myths About Taxes
Uncle Sam wants money from those weekend side gigs.