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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to take the heat off your summer budget. Also in the news: How to find out if you’ll owe taxes on an inheritance, 3 things your student loan servicer might not tell you, and what happens to your credit score when you transfer a balance.

How to Take the Heat Off Your Summer Budget
Keep your costs in check.

Find Out If You’ll Owe Taxes on an Inheritance
Don’t spend all that money quite yet.

3 Things Your Student Loan Servicer Might Not Tell You
They’re not always forthcoming.

What Happens to Your Credit Score When You Transfer a Balance?
Looking at the numbers.

This money habit makes all the difference

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Planning ahead is hard when you’re broke. But planning ahead may be the best way to stop being broke and start building a solid financial future.

People who have a strategy tend to save more money and be financially healthier than those who don’t, studies have found. In my latest for the Associated Press, why planning ahead is essential, even when you’re broke.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 7 ways to ready your finances for divorce. Also in the news: Tips for the Class of 2017, simplifying your savings, and how a credit union raised the roof on credit card rewards.

7 Ways to Ready Your Finances for Divorce
Preparing for a difficult time.

Class of 2017: Get a Jump on Adulthood With These 7 Tips
No more kidding around.

Simplifying Saving with the 52-Week Money Challenge
You can do it!

How a Credit Union Raised the Roof on Credit Card Rewards
A Chicago-based credit union is taking rewards to the next level.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Why stock pickers usually don’t beat the market. Also in the news: travel bloggers spill savings secrets, how to help your teen use their summer job earnings wisely, and some welcome news about college tuition.

3 Reasons Most Stock Pickers Don’t Beat the Market
A tough, tough job.

Travel Bloggers Spill Savings Secrets
Learning from the pros.

Help Your Teen Use Summer Job Earnings Wisely
Starting them off on the right path.

Finally, some welcome news about college tuition
The discounts are increasing.

How to ruin your finances fast

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Some financial disasters are a long time in the making. It typically takes years of unfortunate choices — minimum credit card payments, forgone savings opportunities — to create suffocating debt or a poverty-level retirement.

Other disasters you can trigger almost instantly. The decision itself costs money, or the clock starts ticking toward a consequence you might not have foreseen. In my latest for the Associated Press, three common ways to trash your finances fast, plus how you may be able to undo or limit the damage.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to keep Mother’s Day spending down. Also in the news: How the rise in student loan rates will affect borrowers, where to sell your stuff online, and will you see a Social Security check in your lifetime.

Mother’s Day Spending Is up, but You Can Keep Costs Down
It’s the thought that counts.

How Rise in Student Loan Rates Will Affect Borrowers
What to expect.

Where to Sell Your Stuff Online
Making some extra cash.

Will You See a Social Security Check in Your Lifetime?
What are the odds?