Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 Halloween headaches and how insurance can help. Also in the news: Your battle plan for buying a home with a VA loan, what college and student debt changes are likely after the election, and the best credit card for food delivery apps.

7 Halloween Headaches and How Insurance Can Help
What to do when you get tricked.

Your Battle Plan for Buying a Home With a VA Loan
Choose experienced professionals to guide you through the VA loan process, and bring some cash to the table, even if you don’t plan to make a down payment.

Trump vs. Biden: What College and Student Debt Changes Are Likely
What to expect from both candidates.

The Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Apps
Finding tasty discounts.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How frugal fashionistas can stay on trend. Also in the news: What Biden or Trump could do for your student loans, why you need an investment policy statement, why you need an investment policy statement, and college student argue distance learning should cost less.

How Frugal Fashionistas Can Stay on Trend
Style doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

What Biden or Trump Could Do for Your Student Loans
A look at both plans.

Why You Need an Investment Policy Statement
Start with your goals.

College students argue distance learning should cost less as some schools are charging more
Students say they aren’t getting what they paid for.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What Biden on Trump could do for your student loans. Also in the news: Is moving now your best financial pros and cons, how to get a personal loan without perfect credit, and what to do when you can’t afford food.

What Biden or Trump Could Do for Your Student Loans
The pandemic plays a part.

Is Moving Now Your Best Financial Move?
Weighing the pros and cons.

You Don’t Need Perfect Credit to Get a Personal Loan
Bad-credit borrowers may have to take extra steps to get a loan. Start by fixing any errors on your credit report.

What to Do When You Can’t Afford Food
Millions of families are struggling.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Equifax extends credit freeze deadline. Also in the news: Why single parents are turning to online colleges, how credit card rewards can take the sting out of a starter budget, and strapped families hope President Trump will tackle student loans in tonight’s State of the Union address.

How to Freeze Your Credit With Equifax
Extended deadlines.

For Some Single Parents, Online College Holds the Key

Credit Card Rewards Take the Sting Out of a Starter Budget

Strapped families hope Trump’s speech will tackle student loans
The State of the Union speech is tonight.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Making a habit of checking your financial health. Also in the news: Online business ideas for couch potatoes, how one couple paid off $20K of debt in 18 months, and how Trump’s tax plan may affect your 401(k).

Start a New Habit: Check Your Financial Health
Almost as important as your physical health.

3 Online Business Ideas for Couch Potatoes
Make money from your recliner.

How I Ditched Debt: Active Budgeting Pays Off
How one couple paid off $20,000 in 18 months.

How Trump’s tax plan may affect your 401(k)
Digging into the details.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Determining the best way to do your taxes. Also in the news: Refinancing an FHA loan, what’s next for the stock market, and why now is the time to hunt for higher rates on your bank accounts.

Determining the Best Way to Do Your Taxes
Finding the way that works best for you.

FHA Streamline Refinance: 5 Strict Conditions
Meeting the tough requirements.

Trump’s in, Dow Hits 20,000: What’s Next for the Market?
Looking at the market under a new administration.

Now’s the time: Hunt for higher rates on your bank accounts
It’s a year of rising interest rates.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to manage your investments during the Trump presidency. Also in the news: How to dig out from December’s debt, why ‘Buy Online, Pick Up in Store’ is a double-edged sword, and the first thing you should do after paying off a big debt.

How to Manage Your Investments During the Trump Presidency
Practical suggestions to help stay the course.

How to Dig Out From December’s Debt

‘Buy Online, Pick Up in Store’ Is a Double-Edged Deal
The pros and cons of convenience.

The First Things You Should Do After Paying Off a Big Debt
Don’t dive back into the debt hole.

President-elect Trump, save the CFPB

Ten years ago, bullies had taken over the playground. Financial service firms preyed on their customers with impunity:

—Lenders made expensive, risky mortgages to people who couldn’t afford to pay the money back.

—Credit card issuers foisted overpriced insurance and other add-on products on millions of unsuspecting customers.

—Credit bureaus ignored evidence submitted by people disputing errors in their credit reports.

—Companies sold delinquent debts to collection agencies that ran amok, violating fair debt collection laws and strong-arming people into repaying debts they didn’t even owe.

People’s complaints fell on deaf ears, since consumer protection wasn’t a priority at any agency. Huge swaths of the credit and debt industries, including credit bureaus, collection agencies and payday lenders, operated with little government oversight.

Then the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau pushed back.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why President-elect Donald Trump needs to save the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Financial advisors on what the election means for your money. Also in the news:sol_helpkidssave How your taxes may change in a Trump presidency, how President Trump could affect your student loans, and how to teach kids about money.

Ten Financial Advisors on What the Election Means for Your Money Plan
A look at what happens next.

How Your Taxes May Change in a Trump Presidency
Big changes ahead.

5 Ways President Trump Could Affect Your Student Loans
What this means for interest rates.

Ask Kids to Contribute to a Family Savings Goal to Teach Them About Money
Teamwork.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

hidden-fees1Today’s top story; How a Trump win could impact college students. Also in the news: Tips on caring for aging parents, what you need to know about online lending services, and financial apps that will save you money this summer.

4 Ways a Trump Win Could Impact College Students
Looking ahead to a possible Trump presidency.

Caring for Aging Parents: Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Finding time to take care of yourself.

What You Should Know About Online Lending Services
Fast money could come at a very steep price.

7 Financial Apps to Save You Money This Summer
Savings at your fingertips.