Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The dangers lurking behind Black Friday shopping. Also in the news: How to resist splurging during the holidays, the pros and cons of tech warranties, and what you need to know before signing up for a store credit card.

5 Dangers of Black Friday Shopping
One of the favorite days of identity thieves everywhere!

7 Ways To Resist The Urge To Splurge During The Holidays
Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it.

Spending: What you need to know about tech warranties
Protecting your latest bright and shiny gadget.

5 Things to Know Before Signing Up for a Store Credit Card
Too many store cards can damage your credit.

4 Tips to Begin the Estate-Planning Process
Having a thorough plan is an essential.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Figuring out what car repairs really cost. Also in the news: Protecting your children’s credit, tips on smart charitable donations, and how to prepare for Black Friday.

How to Figure Out What Your Car Repair Really Costs
How not to be at the mercy of the repair shop.

Protecting Your Children’s Credit
Even children are at risk for identity theft.

6 tips to donate to charity the smart way
Getting the most out of your generosity.

Top 10 Black Friday shopping tips
Practice, practice, practice.

The ‘4 Boxes’ Approach To Helping Elderly Parents
Inventorying your parents’ possessions could make important financial decisions easier.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Essential tips for navigating Obamacare. Also in the news: How to boost Millennials’ retirement savings, when couples should separate their finances, and how to monitor your credit after a data breach. Hope

10 Essential Tips for Navigating Obamacare
How to find your way through the Affordable Care Act maze.

The Obamacare Trick Early Retirees Should Know
Subsidies could be a game changer for early retirees.

Two Surest Ways to Boost Millennials’ Retirement Savings
Teaching Millennials’ the importance of planning ahead.

Video: When Should Couples Separate Their Finances?
Navigating personal finances with your spouse.

How to Monitor Your Credit After a Data Breach
Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Credit card backgroundToday’s top story: Planning for Black Friday. Also in the news: How the CARD ACT saved consumers billions, five factors that could increase your insurance rates, and three tax moves you should make before the end of the year.

Score on Black Friday by doing research now
Developing a plan of attack could save you a lot of money.

CARD Act Helped Consumers Without Limiting Credit Access
Saving consumers over $20 billion a year.

5 Factors That Could Raise Your Insurance Rates
You might want to put out that cigarette.

3 Tax Moves to Make Before the End of Year
It’s time to get your investments in order.

DHS Secretary warns of Obamacare scams
Your personal information could be at risk.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: A bill in front of Congress could change the way credit scores are calculated. Also in the news: Lifehacks for your wallet, how using your middle name could hurt your credit rating, and how to save money on Halloween Costumes.

How Your Middle Name Could Hurt Your Credit
The slightest variation in your name could damage your credit.

6 Frightfully Frugal Halloween Costumes
Don’t let your wallet get tricked.

11 Life Hacks — For Your Wallet
Some creative tips to help you save money.

Should credit scores include rent and cable bills?
Congress could revamp the way credit scores are calculated.

8 Tips for Saving Money While Traveling This Holiday Season
Holiday travel without the holiday headaches.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailHow your addiction to pop culture could put your identity at risk, saving on holiday travel, and when is the right time to kick your kid off of your health insurance?

How Your Katy Perry Obsession Could Get You Hacked
Hackers love the pop culture obsessed.

Our Financial Future: How Banking and Money Will Change
Could bank tellers be replaced by smartphones?

5 tips on selling a home on your own
The pros and cons of selling your home without a real estate agent.

How to Save on Holiday Airfares
What better gift to give yourself than saving on holiday travel?

When to kick your adult child off your health plan
Weighing the options offered by the Affordable Care Act.

Credit denial: a corporate trick or cause for alarm?

Dear Liz: A few years ago when buying my son his college laptop computer, I applied for the store card at a big, well-known electronics store (at the encouragement of the sales associate). I was denied. I have never been denied a credit card before. I have eight cards that are always paid off monthly, own my own home and have a satisfactory retirement income and a top credit score. By receiving the card, I would have had a substantial savings on the computer. The denial has bothered me ever since. Was this a ploy on the company’s part to deny me the savings?

Answer: That kind of bait-and-switch happens sometimes, but there may be other reasons you were denied.

When you were turned down, the company should have provided you with the name, address and phone number of the credit agency it used to evaluate you. You should have immediately requested your report from the agency to see if the information was accurate. Someone may have stolen your identity, and credit denials are often the first sign many victims have that there’s a problem.

A collections account also could have torpedoed your scores. Many people discover that a medical bill, library fine or parking ticket went unpaid only when they find the resulting collections on their credit reports.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

The hackerThe best way to invest your first $1000, the pros and cons of living on cash, and what’s covered by identity theft insurance.

How to Invest Your First $1,000
The road to investment success has to begin somewhere.

4 Tips Before Buying Your Teenager a Car
Laying down the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel.

What I Learned From Living on Cash
Could you survive the Cash Challenge?

Will ID Theft Insurance Shield You From Fraud?
What is and isn’t covered by identity theft insurance.

Trick Yourself Into Boosting 401(k) Contributions
The simple trick that could increase your 401(k) contribution.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Passenger airplane landing on runway in airport.Wedding bells and tax deductions are ringing, using credit cards to pay off student loans, and how to avoid having your identity stolen while on vacation.

Tax Deductions Available for Your Wedding
Could tax deductions be the best wedding gift ever?

Should You Use Credit Card Rewards to Pay Auto, Student Loans?
Cash-back rewards for paying auto and student loans are on the way.

Pre-College Conversations: When to Step in Over Money Matters
When to get involved in your child’s finances.

Do You Have What It Takes to Work From Home?
Working in your pajamas may sound like fun, but it actually requires a lot of discipline.

Vacation is No Time to Abandon Financial Caution
Identity thieves love to prey on tourists.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Car crashWhy students are a prime target for identity thieves, an easy way to save money on homeowners insurance, mistakes to avoid when buying a house and how cell-using drivers set themselves up for disaster.

The ABCs of Back-to-School Identity Theft Protection
Students of all ages are easy targets for identity theft.

Simple Tip Can Save You Big on Homeowners Insurance
Your deductible could be the key to savings.

The IRS Filed a Tax Lein on Your Home—Now What?
Don’t let your panic become a distraction. Buying a House? Don’t make these mistakes.
Things not to be overlooked while house hunting.

25% of Car Crashes Involved Cel Phones
Drivers using cellphones fail to see up to 50% of the information in their environment.