Personal finance tips: How to say no to LinkedIn requests, and more

Saying no to LinkedIn requests

Don't say yes to every LinkedIn request, says Quentin Fottrell at MarketWatch. While "Facebook may have stretched the definition of 'friend' to include even your second cousin's chiropractor," be more selective when it comes to professional networking sites like LinkedIn. The site itself suggests "that connections should be limited to people one has actual connections to," and experts say "other users of the site may judge you by the number and quality of your connections" because they "are seen as an endorsement and reflect on your professional reputation." That means you should check out "would-be connections" to make sure their digital trail won't reflect poorly on you. Avoid connecting with rival companies, and beware of LinkedIn spammers who collect connections to mine your data.

Get a handle on money anxiety

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To tame financial stress, take a few sensible steps, says Sharon Epperson at CNBC. The levels of household debt many Americans carry, ranging from college loans to credit card debt to large mortgages, can lead to constant financial anxiety. But there are three guiding principles that can help reduce your money worries. First and foremost, "don't spend money that you don't have." It's the only way to keep even more debt from piling up. When you do decide to splurge, "buy experiences, not things." Studies say spending money on vacations or restaurant dinners can often be more satisfying than material things, whose appeal quickly dwindles. Finally, do your best to sock away something each month, ideally 10 percent of whatever you earn. "Sticking to this principle early can make a great impact in overcoming financial stress."

What late filers need to know

Did you miss the tax deadline? asks Blake Ellis at CNN. If you're owed a refund, the good news is that "you won't get hit with a penalty." But for taxpayers who owe money, you're out of luck. "By both failing to file and failing to pay on time, you will incur a maximum penalty of 5 percent for each month after the deadline." And if you're more than 60 days late, you'll be fined $135 or 100 percent of the unpaid tax, whichever amount is smaller. The safest way to avoid a fine is, of course, to file on time. But if that just isn't possible, ask the IRS for a six-month extension. Just "remember, even if you get an extension, you still have to pay 90 percent of the tax owed by the filing deadline."