Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Average retirement savings by age and why you need more. Also in the news: The best places to stash your cash for short, medium and long-term goals, smart tactics for millennials flocking to buy life insurance, and how get ready for gift card scams this season.

Average Retirement Savings by Age and Why You Need More
In general, Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. Are you?

The best places to stash your cash for short, medium and long-term goals
The many options depend on how much you hope to earn, and how far away your savings goal is

Smart tactics for millennials flocking to buy life insurance
Planning for tomorrow

Get Ready for Gift Card Scams This Holiday Season
Scams never take a holiday.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Are you saving money in the right place? Also in the news: Why it’s time to dump home buyer love letters, can you be denied life insurance for smoking weed, and 5 fresh kitchen backsplash ideas.

Are You Saving Money in the Right Place?
What to consider when you’re stashing your savings.

Why It’s Time to Dump Home Buyer Love Letters

Can You Be Denied Life Insurance for Smoking Weed?
You might have to shop around.

5 Fresh Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
A stylish and functional backsplash can breathe new life into your kitchen.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 do’s and don’ts when saving money during a crisis. Also in the news: Cash accounts and apps to buddy up with your investments, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on preparing your money for a recession, and the relief period on your federally backed mortgage was just extended.

6 Do’s and Don’ts When Saving Money During a Crisis
Saving may be harder, but it’s worth it.

Cash Accounts and Apps to Buddy Up With Your Investments
Investing at your fingertips.

SmartMoney Podcast: Prepping Your Money for a Recession, What to Do with a $10,000 Inheritance
Preparing your money for the tough times ahead.

The Relief Period on Your Federally Backed Mortgage Just Got Extended
You now have until August 31st.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Scaling back spending yields unexpected benefits. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on charitable donations and new baby expenses, a travel expert shares his tips for traveling during a pandemic, and who needs to request a Coronavirus relief payment before October 15th.

Scaling Back Spending Yields Unexpected Benefits
Look for the silver lining.

SmartMoney Podcast: Make Your Donations Go Further; Plan for New Baby Expenses
Giving strategically.

Ask a Points Nerd: How Can I Travel This Summer?
An expert shares his tips after traveling up the West Coast.

Here’s Who Needs to Request a Coronavirus Relief Payment Before October 15
See if you’re on the list.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Quick ways to save more money in 2019. Also in the news: Medical bills plague millennials, 3 simple strategies to max out your 401(k), and the basics of Parent PLUS loan forgiveness.

Quick Ways to Save More Money in 2019
Focusing on the simple.

Medical Bills Plague Millennials; These Tips May Be the Cure
Making medical debt more managable.

3 Simple Strategies to Max Out Your 401(k)
Increasing your retirement savings at any income level.

The Basics of Parent PLUS Loan Forgiveness
Who’s responsible for repayment?

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 guidelines for happier holiday tipping. Also in the news: Money talk for young boys, how to save $500, and how to survive an insurance elimination period.

5 Guidelines for Happier Holiday Tipping
Some guidelines that may help you decide whom to tip, and how.

Dear Young Boys: Let’s Talk About Money
Especially investing.

How to Save $500
It’s about more than just skipping coffee.

How to Survive an Insurance Elimination Period
Making ends meet while waiting for an insurance payment.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to save money by thinking like a college student. Also in the news: What an average retirement costs, how soon should you worry about your credit, and how to budget for your kids’ summer vacation.

Save Money by Thinking Like a College Student
You can skip the ramen.

Let’s Get Real: What an Average Retirement Costs
Breaking down the numbers.

Ask Brianna: I’m 18. Should I Worry About My Credit Yet?
It’s never too soon.

How to Budget for Your Kids’ Summer Vacation
Summer can get very pricey.

Thursday’s need-to-know news

Today’s top story: 6 for-keeps New Year’s Resolutions for New Homeowners. Also in the news: Saving money by exercising outdoors this winter, learning the basics of the GOP Tax Plan, and the pros and cons of prepaying your 2018 property taxes in 2017.

6 For-Keeps New Year’s Resolutions for New Homeowners
Survival tips to keep your resolution.

Burn Calories, Not Cash, by Exercising Outdoors This Winter
Take your routine outside.

The basics of the GOP Tax Plan, explained
Learning the basics of a complicated deal.

Will you benefit from prepaying your 2018 property taxes in 2017?
Call your accountant.

Saving money makes you happier – here’s proof

The argument over whether you should invest or pay off debt usually focuses on financial numbers, such as rates of return and interest charges. Maybe happiness should be part of the equation as well.

Studies in several countries, including the U.S., Norway, Ireland and Spain, have found high levels of financial satisfaction among elderly people. Happiness with our money situation tends to rise with age, even though our income peaks in midlife and then generally declines.

Why is that? Further studies show that what we own and what we owe make a difference. One study of 3,751 U.S. adults ages 30 to 80 found that increases in assets and decreases in debt over time “contribute substantially to the life course pattern of financial satisfaction.”

Fair enough. But then two Texas researchers looked into which of those two actions — paying down debt or building up investments — was the bigger contributor. In my latest for the Associated Press, find out which one makes you happier.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why you need a 401(k) in your 20s. Also in the news: How being lazy can help you save money, the new rules of credit card point etiquette, and how to spot financial infidelity.

Yes, You Need a 401(k) in Your 20s — Here’s Why
Paving the long road.

How Being Lazy Can Help You Save Money
Automatic banking can help.

New Rules of Credit Card Points Etiquette
When to use your points.

How to Spot Financial Infidelity
Noticing the signs.