Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Learn the truth about overdraft fees and save money. Also in the news: Beware the Dead Cat Bounce (and other stock market jargon), students breathe easy on the tax bill, and what will be more (and less) expensive in 2018.

Learn the Truth About Overdraft Fees — and Save Money
Looking at alternatives.

Beware the Dead Cat Bounce (and Other Stock Market Jargon)
Learning the language of Wall Street.

Students Breathe Easy on Tax Bill but Other Battles Loom
A momentary reprieve.

What will be more (and less) expensive in 2018
Travel prices are going up.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 ways the tax plan could change homeownership. Also in the news: Bad loans lurking under Christmas wrap, checking your state’s unclaimed property list, and robocalls soar to a new record.

6 Ways the Tax Plan Could Change Homeownership
Important things to know.

Bad Loans Lurk Under ‘Christmas’ Wrap
A payday loan wrapped in a bow.

Hey, Harold, Pick Up Your 300 Bucks
You could have unclaimed property waiting for you.

Phone spam soars to a new record
Fraud calls are at an all-time high.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How that new store card could torpedo your credit score. Also in the news: Insuring expensive gifts, the right mortgage to ask, and how to quickly figure out how much spending money you’ll have for the year.

That New Store Card Could Torpedo Your Credit Score
That immediate discount could cost you in the long run.

Splurged on an Expensive Gift? Don’t Forget to Insure It
Protect your purchase.

13 Mortgage Questions to Ask — and the Answers You Want
Everything you need to know.

How to Quickly Figure Out How Much Spending Money You’ll Have for the Year
Calculating discretionary income.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 ways the tax plan could change homeownership. Also in the news: What the Fed rate hike means for student loans, what it means for your CDs, and how Donald Trump is shrinking your paycheck.

6 Ways Tax Plan Could Change Homeownership
Analyzing the impact.

Fed Rate Hike: What It Means for Student Loans
Checking your rates.

December 2017 Fed Rate Hike: What It Means for Your CDs
Impacting your savings.

Here’s How Donald Trump Is Shrinking Your Paycheck
Looking at the nuances of the tax plan.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do about the Fed rate hike. Also in the news: How to deal with credit card fraud, driverless cars, and how your credit card debt is costing you nearly $1000 a year.

Fed Rate Hike: Here’s What to Do
Don’t panic.

First Time Dealing With Credit Card Fraud? You Got This
Important steps to take.

Are Fully Self-Driving Cars Just Around the Corner?
Should we fear the driverless car?

Credit card debt is costing you nearly $1,000 per year
Interest piles up.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 steps to tame your debt in an hour or less. Also in the news: 10 housing and mortgage trends to watch for in 2018, how one woman ditched over 50K in debt, and why to be wary of instaloans in stores.

3 Steps to Tame Your Debt in an Hour or Less
Concrete steps.

10 Housing and Mortgage Trends to Watch for in 2018
What to keep an eye on.

How I Ditched Debt: A Wish List Kept Her Going
Read a success story.

Retailers now offers Instaloans to pay for purchasesBuyer beware,

Refusing to pay could hurt you more than them

Oh, the injustice of it all.

Who among us hasn’t felt abused as a consumer? We get billed for stuff we didn’t receive, or that doesn’t work, or that didn’t live up to its hype. Companies charge us unexpected fees and insist the costs were revealed in the fine print. Health insurers take customer disservice to a whole new, awful level, inexplicably refusing to pay for services they promised to cover and deluging us with impossible-to-decrypt paperwork.

It’s understandable if you feel that enough is enough. But taking a righteous stand against paying an unfair bill can boomerang on you — hard.

In my latest for the Associated Press, situations where you might be tempted to refuse to pay, and what you might want to consider doing instead.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 ways to reduce credit card interest. Also in the news: Holiday hosting tips to be safe, holiday tipping guide, and the pros and cons of using debit vs. credit cards.

5 Ways to Reduce Credit Card Interest
Escaping the interest trap.

Holiday Hosting Tips to Be Safe, Insurance If You’re Sorry
What’s covered under your homeowner’s insurance.

Holiday Tipping Guide: Whom and How Much
Showing appreciation.

Pros and Cons of Using Debit Vs. Credit Cards
Differences to keep in mind.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Is Bitcoin safe? Also in the news: How to buy better gifts with credit card rewards, must-have tools and tips for year-end retirement planning, and smart money lessons for kids that can last a lifetime.

Is Bitcoin Safe?
A roundtable debate.

How to Buy Better Gifts With Credit Card Rewards
Using your rewards strategically.

Must-have tools and tips for year-end retirement planning
Getting on the right track.

Smart money lessons for kids that can last a lifetime