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This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on smart ways to get out of debt, and pet insurance planning. In other news: Not enough homes are for sale, so let’s pay owners to sell, how to pay for an expensive summer move, and growing loyalty programs mean more travelers competing for perks.

Smart Money Podcast: Smart Ways to Get Out of Debt, and Pet Insurance Planning
Personal finance Nerd Tommy Tindall joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss alternative ways to pay off debt when you can’t get a personal loan.

Not Enough Homes Are for Sale, so Let’s Pay Owners to Sell
Tax credits could encourage people to sell their homes in a meager housing market.

How to Pay for an Expensive Summer Move
A credit card or personal loan can help you pay for a pricey summer move, but pay attention to interest rates and trim costs where you can.

Growing Loyalty Programs Mean More Travelers Competing for Perks
If you thought it’s been harder to get upgrades or lounges have been more crowded lately, you’re not alone.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to look at before investing in a friend’s business venture. Also in the news: How Apple makes airport security less painful for some travelers, why you should stop using coupons, and 17 huge red flags from personal finance ‘influencers.’

Should You Invest in a Friend’s Business?
Examine all angles before investing in a friend’s business venture.

Apple Makes Airport Security Less Painful for Some Travelers
Residents in Arizona can now add their driver’s license to Apple Wallet to show it to TSA in Phoenix. More states will follow.

You Should Stop Using Coupons
The whole reason coupons exist is to get you to spend more money—and it works.

17 Huge Red Flags From Personal Finance ‘Influencers’
There’s good advice out there, as long as you can tell the good financial influencers from the shady ones.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Grimace-free ways to learn personal finance. Also in the news: How to stop anxiety from sabotaging your investments, and what to look for in a house if you want to start a family.

Grimace-Free Ways to Learn Personal Finance
Outrageous statements and flashy graphics grab attention, but there’s also plenty of sound, factually correct money content out there – and some of it is even entertaining.

How to Stop Anxiety From Sabotaging Your Investments
Fear is the mind-killer—don’t let it be the IRA killer, too.

What to Look for in a House If You Want to Start a Family
Beyond good schools and a quiet street, it helps if you can find these features.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The surge in mortgage rates. Also in the news: What caring for an aging parent could cost you, A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on building your financial smarts with Bola Sokunbi

The Property Line: What’s With the Surge in Mortgage Rates?
Rising mortgage rates have outpaced expectations for the start of this year. Here’s why they’ve spiked recently and what it means for you.

What Caring for an Aging Parent Could Cost You
Trying to work while caring for an aging loved one can be difficult, stressful and at times overwhelming.

Smart Money Podcast: Building Your Financial Smarts With Bola Sokunbi
Personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks with money author and educator Bola Sokunbi about budgeting and side gigs.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Pandemic puts personal finance on high school agenda. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on Delta spending habits and marriage vs. mortgage, 4 new rules for entrepreneurs in 2021, and the mortgage outlook for September.

Pandemic Puts Personal Finance on High School Agenda
“Educators say there’s never been more interest in the subject from students and parents.”

Smart Money Podcast: Delta Spending Habits and Marriage vs. Mortgage
How the Delta variant is changing the way people spend money.

4 New Rules for Entrepreneurs in 2021
How COVID has rewritten the rules.

Mortgage Outlook: September Rates to Ascend, Then Level Off
What to expect in the month ahead.

Why you should save for something fun

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Financial planners tend to have firm ideas about the most important goals: You should save for retirement, pay off debt and build an emergency fund. Buying a pair of $200 sneakers or an ultra-high definition TV is probably not on that list.

But maybe saving for something you really, really want isn’t frivolous. It may be exactly what you need to get your financial life on track.

In my latest for the Associated Press, the financial benefits of saving for something fun.