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Liz Weston

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to pick a credit card when your options are limited. Also in the news: Reducing your taxable income, rescuing your retirement plans, and why shopping from your couch on Black Friday could save you the most money.Credit card background

How to Pick a Credit Card When You Have Few Options
Pay close attention to astronomical fees.

2014 Tax Tips: 3 Ways to Cut Your Taxable Income
401(k) contributions could help come tax time.

How to rescue your retirement at 55
It’s not too late to save your retirement.

12 ways Black Friday 2013 will be different
The best deals could be found from the comfort of your sofa.

The Perfect Gift for the Kid Who Has Everything: A College Savings Account
While not as cool as a PS4, it’s a gift with huge rewards.

Protect yourself from holiday credit card fraud

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GiftHoliday shopping means more opportunities to whip out your plastic—and more opportunities for thieves to try to steal your identity. Here’s what you should do.

Be vigilant. If you haven’t already, sign up for online access to your bank and credit card accounts. You should be reviewing your transactions at least weekly.

Be reachable. Update your contact information so your issuer can reach you quickly in case they spot fraud.

Be alerted. While you’re at it, sign up for alerts. Most issuers allow you to get a text or email alert for large or overseas transactions.

Beware fraudulent deal sites. Their eye-popping bargains may just be a way to get your credit card numbers. Stick with the real deal, like DealNews.

Be diligent. Install and update anti-malware software.

Be smart. Use your credit card rather than your debit card in high-risk situations, as I wrote in “Debit cards can be riskier than credit cards.” If you must use a debit card, sign for it rather than using your PIN since that typically offers you better protection against fraud.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Credit Check 1Today’s top story: How to avoid the worst credit cards of 2013. Also in the news: A new debt collection law, five things you should ask your financial advisor, and three investing mistakes retirees must avoid at all costs.

How To Avoid The Worst Credit Cards Of 2013
Easy credit can come at a gigantic price.

A New Debt Collection Law: What It Means for You
If you live in California, debt collection just became more consumer friendly.

5 Things You Should Ask Your Financial Advisor
Determining if your financial advisor is a good fit for your situation.

3 Investing Mistakes Retirees Must Avoid At All Costs
What to do in order to protect your lifelong earnings.

How social media ruin insurance claims
Not everything requires a status update.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Top Story: Predictions for the 2014 housing market. Also in the news: When is the best time to buy a new home, how we’re feeling about money, and the best place to rebuild your nest egg.

Glinkonomics: Predictions For The 2014 Housing Market
What’s to come in the year ahead.

Is There a Best Time to Buy a Home?
There is, and it’s coming up fast.

Survey Says … Our Many Moods About Money
How people are feeling about money.

Where Boomers Should be Investing Now
The best places to rebuild or secure your nest egg.

Best Credit Cards With 5% Cash Back Rotating Categories
Making your credit card work for you.

A health insurance shopping site that actually works

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Health claim formYou don’t have to wait for the federal government to fix the Obamacare Web site to learn about your insurance options.

HealthSherpa is the creation of three guys who actually seem to know how to program. Instead of fighting your way through confusing interfaces, legalese and a long sign-up process, you just type in your Zip Code and bam! Your options start to show up.

HealthSherpa allows you to modify your results by the number of family members and your income (which determines whether you get subsidies to cut the cost–most people do).

HealthSherpa doesn’t have the links to Social Security and the IRS that would allow you to sign up for a plan directly on the site. But it does offer links and phone numbers to insurers that can help you sign up once you pick a plan.

If only Kathleen Sebelius had hired these guys in the first place…

UPDATE: As commenter Kitty notes below, you’ll still need to go through Healthcare.gov to sign up for coverage if you want the subsidies and other cost reductions available through Obamacare. The HealthSherpa site allows you to see and explore your options, which should make signing up a bit easier.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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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.