Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Starter credit cards are still a thing but are harder to get. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on debt and refinancing, debt management as an alternative to credit card relief, and should you let your insurance company track your driving?

Starter Credit Cards Are Still a Thing but Harder to Get
Starter credit cards have gotten harder to qualify for in recent years — but not impossible. And more options exist now.

Smart Money Podcast: The Psychology of Debt, and When to Refinance
People are having complicated feelings about plastic.

If Credit Card Relief’s a No-Go, Check Out Debt Management
Not everyone will qualify for hardship programs or find the terms affordable.

Should You Let Your Insurance Company Track Your Driving?
You could get a significant discount.

Do debt management plans work?

Nonprofit credit counselors are the good guys in the debt relief industry, which is otherwise full to bursting with lies, scams and sketchy players.

That said, credit counselors need to acknowledge that their signature offering – the debt management plan – doesn’t work for everyone.

In my latest for the Associated Press, find out when declaring bankruptcy is a better option than credit counseling.