Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

downloadToday’s top story: How a secured credit card could help you build your credit. Also in the news: Generations X and Y race to prepare for retirement, how to handle your debt when you’ve lost your job, and an identity theft reveals how he empties your bank account.

The Best Secured Credit Cards in America
How to build or improve your credit.

Gen X Vs. Gen Y: How Retirement Ready Is Each Generation?
Which generation is best prepared for retirement?

What to Do About Debt When You’ve Lost Your Job
You cannot ignore it.

An Identity Thief Explains the Art of Emptying Your Bank Account
It’s shockingly easy.

4 phone calls that can save you a ton of money
Savings are just a phone call away.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: What happens if you get caught lying on your FAFSA? Also in the news: Why your financial life is a mess, which interest rate you should choose, and the credit score every small business owner should understand.

What Happens If You Lie on Your FAFSA?
Resist the temptation.

Fixed or Variable: Which Interest Rate Should You Choose?
Which interest rate is best for you?

The Credit Score Every Small Business Owner Needs to Understand
Introducing the FICO SBSS.

Top Seven Reasons Why Your Financial Life Is A Mess
Getting your financial house in order.

If You Won’t Remember Something in a Week, Don’t Buy It
Smart advice.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

401k-planToday’s top story: How to choose the right 401K plan. Also in the news: Money losses you can’t claim on your taxes, the benefits of prepaying your mortgage, and how to survive living on a budget.

Do You Have the Right 401K?
Picking the plan that’s right for you.

These Money Losses Won’t Help You at Tax Time
Losses you can’t write off.

Should You Prepay Your Mortgage?
Prepaying could put more money in your pocket.

5 Strategies That Make it More Fun to Live on a Budget
It doesn’t have to be miserable.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The benefits to joining a credit union. Also in the news:Image9 When to sign up for a financial advisor, apps that will make next year’s taxes easier, and how to build your credit from the ground up.

6 Perks You Can Get at a Credit Union
Free checking!

When To Sign Up A Financial Advisor
Knowing when it’s time.

10 Apps to Use Now to Make Taxes Easier Next Year
Help is just an app away.

6 Ways to Build Your Credit From the Ground Up
Needing credit to get credit.

6 Ways You’re Cheating on Your Budget
Removing your hand from the cookie jar.

How you can benefit from the robo-advisor price war

iStock_000014977164MediumDigital investment advisor Wealthfront snagged some headlines this week by dropping its minimum investment from $5,000 to $500 and calling out its competitors, particularly Betterment, for charging too much.

Which is kind of unfortunate, because it could leave people with the impression that Betterment is gouging people, when it (like most of the other robo-advisors) charges a fraction of what other advisors do, and Betterment has no minimum investment requirement.

Betterment’s charge ranges from .15% to .35%. On accounts under $10,000, Betterment charges a minimum monthly fee of $3 unless investors set up auto-deposit. Wealthfront manages the first $10,000 you invest for free, and charges one-quarter of one percent (.25%) above that.

By contrast, many human advisors charge 1%, or even more, to manage investments. If you’re not familiar with robo-advisors, you can read about them here and here.

Roboadvisors, in other words, are providing the cheap, conflict-free investment management that many people, especially those without big portfolios, have been waiting for. They’re even a possible lower-cost solution for those with big portfolios, now that Vanguard is offering a robo-advisor service paired with access to human financial advisors for a .3% annual charge.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of low-cost investment management, don’t let a little dust-up between competitors dissuade you. Check out your options and make up your own mind.

 

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

thumbs_up_mature_woman-resized-600Today’s top story: Phone calls that can save you money. Also in the news: How to slash your tax liability in retirement, handling the financial challenges of caring for aging parents, and a guide to repaying your student loans.

4 Phone Calls That Can Save You a Ton of Money
Savings could be just a quick phone call away.

5 ways to slash your tax liability in retirement
Keeping more money in your pocket.

How to handle the financial challenges of caring for aging parents
Navigating through tough waters.

The A-to-Z Guide to Repaying Your Student Loans
All your repayment options.

Would you trust a robot with your finances?
But still no flying cars.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How you could save $200 a month on your mortgage. Also in the news: How making the minimum payments on a credit card bill could take decades to pay off, why you should pay cash for your new car, and what to review during your annual financial checkup.

Millions of Homeowners Could Be Saving $200 a Month on Their Mortgage
Playing the HARP.

How long does it take to pay a $2,000 credit card debt with minimum payments?
The answer may surprise you.

Should You Pay Cash for Your Next New Car?
The argument for paying cash.

3 Steps for Your Annual Financial Checkup
What’s up for review?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

1403399192000-retire-workToday’s top story: The important ages for retirement planning. Also in the news: How to rebound from a credit setback, signs you might be a victim of identity theft, and what your car rental insurance might not cover.

9 Important Ages for Retirement Planning
Marking the milestones.

8 Ways to Rebound From a Credit Setback
Don’t panic.

10 Signs You Might Be a Victim of Identity Theft
How to catch the problem early.

What Your Credit Card Rental Car Insurance Might Not Cover
Something to keep in mind while traveling this summer.

How to Choose a Life Insurance Company: 5 Questions to Ask
How to be sure you’ve picked the right one.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Offering AdviceToday’s top story: How to get rid of an old debt. Also in the news: Living on half of your income, how to get yourself in good financial shape, and dealing with the debt of a loved one that passed away.

The Secret Way to Get Rid of an Old Debt
Resolving an old collection account.

The One-Year Shopping Ban: How This Woman Lived On Just 51% Of Her Income
Could you do it?

Get fit: How to improve your financial fitness
Like Crossfit for your wallet.

Debt and Dying: Five Things Surviving Family Members Need to Know
Protecting your finances while grieving.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

009fbf535e76a5f4c22dfae6c5168d0bToday’s top story: How to declare your financial independence. Also in the news: What you need to know before becoming a landlord, how the financial crisis in Greece could effect your portfolio, and a little known Texas law that could save you from medical debt.

3 Ways to Declare Your Financial Independence This July 4th
Let financial freedom ring!

Things to Know Before Becoming a Landlord
Proceed with caution.

Does Greece Matter? The Bigger Picture For You And Your Portfolio
The ripple effect.

The Little-Known Texas Law that Can Save You From Medical Debt
Even if you don’t live in the Lone Star state.