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Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to stop anxiety from ruining your finances. Also in the news: How to not let try-before-you-buy shopping bust your budget, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast, and what bad money habits did your parents teach you.

How to Stop Anxiety From Ruling Your Finances
Knowing your attitude towards money.

Don’t Let Try-Before-You-Buy Shopping Bust Your Budget
Pay close attention to fees.

SmartMoney podcast: ‘Which Accounts Can Make Me the Most Money?’
Putting your savings to work.

What Bad Money Habits Did Your Parents Teach You?
Our bad habits had to originate from somewhere.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: You owe interest on a 0% APR credit card. How did that happen? Also in the news: How to choose the right health plan, how to win big on Black Friday, and how your travel plans affect which Medicare coverage you should choose.

You Owe Interest on a 0% APR Credit Card. How Did That Happen?
Could be several reasons.

How to Choose the Right Health Plan
Happy Open Enrollment season!

Win Big on Black Friday by Buying This — and Not That
Creating a Black Friday strategy.

How your travel plans affect which Medicare coverage you should choose
Yes, you read that correctly.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to choose the right health plan. Also in the news: Your data is out there: how to take action, 7 retirement savings mistakes financial advisors see too often, and what to do if you haven’t filed your taxes in years.

How to Choose the Right Health Plan
Open enrollment season is here.

Your Data Is Out There: Don’t Freak Out, Do Take Action
Taking preventative measures.

7 Retirement Savings Mistakes Financial Advisors See Too Often
How they help their clients recover.

What to Do If You Haven’t Filed Your Taxes in Years
Time to come clean.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Your student debt doesn’t always die with you. Also in the news: 10 ways to meet a credit card’s minimum spend requirement, how today’s Fed rate cut affects you, and how to churn credit cards without getting penalized.

Your Student Debt Doesn’t Always Die With You
It all depends on the type of loan.

10 Ways to Meet a Credit Card’s Minimum Spend Requirement
Don’t let your rewards slip away.

Here’s how the Fed rate cut affects you
Cheaper loans, lower interest on savings.

How to Churn Credit Cards Without Getting Penalized
Targeting those sign-up bonuses.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Ditch the turkey – six ideas for a Thanksgiving getaway. Also in the news: How to get the most out of the Walmart Rewards Mastercard, the potential pros and cons of buying a post-scandal Volkswagen Diesel, and how to get a retention bonus by threatening to cancel your credit card.

Ditch the Turkey: 6 Ideas for a Thanksgiving Getaway
The turkey can wait.

How to Get the Most Out of the Walmart Rewards Mastercard
Maximizing your rewards this holiday season.

Should You Snap Up a Post-Scandal Volkswagen Diesel?
The pros and cons.

Threaten to Cancel Your Credit Card to Get a Retention Bonus
The bank wants to keep you as a customer.

How to choose the right health plan

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When we’re given a choice about our health care plans, we often choose badly.

In one study, more than 80% of the employees at a Fortune 100 company picked the wrong plans, often choosing low-deductible options that ultimately cost them more. Another study found that inertia — sticking with the same plan, rather than evaluating the options each year and choosing a better one — cost workers an average $2,032 annually.

In my latest for the Associated Press, steps to help you pick a better plan.