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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 4 ways to cut your tax bill by April 15th. Also in the news: How banking apps can motivate you to save, what to do in a bank outage like Wells Fargo’s, and how to make extra money online.

4 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill by April 15 (Yes, There’s Still Time)
But you’ll need to act fast.

How Banking Apps Can Motivate You to Save
Following through on wanting to save.

In a Bank Outage Like Wells Fargo’s, Here’s What You Can Do
Don’t panic.

How to Make Extra Money Online
A little extra pocket cash is always a good thing.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 tips for cutting the cost of having your taxes done. Also in the news: How to find the dirt on your tax preparer, making the most of a gig economy to pay down debt, and 11 smart ways to spend your tax refund.

5 Tips for Cutting the Cost of Having Your Taxes Done
How to rein in the costs.

How to Find the Dirt on Your Tax Preparer
Don’t give your info to just anyone.

How I Ditched Debt: Making the Most of a Gig Economy
A woman pays down over $25K in three years.

11 smart ways to spend your tax refund, according to personal finance experts
Don’t think of it as a windfall.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Hoping for a 529 tax deduction for K-12? Not so fast. Also in the news: 4 business credit card mistakes you can’t afford to make, the biggest financial mistakes women make, and one-size-fits-all financial advice.

Hoping for a 529 Tax Deduction for K-12? Not So Fast
The rules have changed.

4 Business Credit Card Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
Take it easy with those cards.

The Biggest Financial Mistake Women Make
Narrowing the wage gap.

Follow This One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice
Rules that everyone can follow.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 divorce mistakes that can cost you. Also in the news: How to achieve financial independence without retiring early, consolidated debt and how to do it right, and where to go when you have a travel insurance problem.

5 Divorce Mistakes That Can Cost You
Curb your social media.

How to Achieve Financial Independence Without Retiring Early
A worthwhile goal.

What Is Consolidated Debt and How to Do It Right in 2019
Don’t start charging again.

Where To Go When You Have A Travel Insurance Problem
Being your own best advocate.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to prepare for the next recession. Also in the news: How to grow your tax refund, everything you need to know to file your 2018 taxes, and how to wean grown kids off of your payroll.

There’s Always a Next Recession, so Be Prepared
Soften the blow of the next economic downturn.

If You’re Expecting a Tax Refund, Make a Plan to Grow It
Invest your refund instead of blowing it.

Everything You Need to Know to File Your 2018 Taxes
A handy list.

How to wean grown kids off your payroll, freeing up more retirement cash
Cutting the purse strings.

There’s always a next recession, so be prepared

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Recessions are like natural disasters: They’re inevitable, but smart preparation may reduce the impact on you.

The U.S. economy has grown steadily since emerging from the “Great Recession” in June 2009, but expansions can’t continue forever, and this one is already the second-longest on record. Only the expansion from March 1991 to March 2001 lasted longer.

Recessions occur when growth stops and the economy starts to shrink. They vary in severity and length, but often jobs disappear, incomes decline and lenders make it harder to qualify for credit.

Knowing what may be coming can help you fortify your finances to withstand a possible slowdown. In my latest for the Associated Press, some steps to consider.