Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

santa-3-resized-600Today’s top story: How your procrastination is costing you money. Also in the news: Holiday shipping mistakes to avoid, which report you need to read before buying a house, and the digital piggy bank that could finally convince you to start saving.

5 Ways Procrastination Costs You Money
Time equals money.

Don’t make these costly shipping mistakes this season
The gifts were expensive enough.

The Report You Should Ask For Before Buying A House
Get a C.L.U.E.

This Digital Piggy Bank Could Finally Get You To Start Saving
Meet your new savings pal.

The Best Way to Tap Your IRA In Retirement
Using your IRA strategically.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: The credit card perk that can save you time and money. Also in the news: The dumb things people do to be frugal, why a big tax refund isn’t always a good thing, and the investment fees you didn’t know you were paying.

The Credit Card Perk That Can Save You Big Money
Getting the lowest price on your purchase.

7 Dumb Things People Do in the Name of Being Frugal
Good intentions, bad results.

Why a Big Income Tax Refund Is Not a Good Thing
The instant windfall that means you’ve been shortchanged.

The Investment Fees You Don’t Realize You’re Paying
How to start tracking stealthy fees.

The Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards in America
Getting the most points for your money.

Vanguard–the new robo-advisor?

IiStock_000014977164Medium‘ve written a lot recently about digital advisors (including the piece I wrote for AARP, “Do-it-yourself made easy“). Wealthfront, one of the leaders in this space, now has $1.7 billion under management.

That seemed pretty impressive, until I saw a recent piece in InvestmentNews about Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services. Although still basically a pilot program, the “human-augmented online advice platform,” as IN termed it, now has $4.2 billion under management.

For all that’s been written about the start-ups who use powerful algorithms to manage your portfolio while you sleep, it’s the the Vanguard offering that may be the game changer. Vanguard can offer everything the start-ups do–asset allocation, automatic rebalancing, ultra-low-cost investment choices–in the mantle of a trusted firm known for its integrity and thrift. The cost? Three-tenths of one percentage point, or $300 a year for a $100,000 portfolio. That’s only slightly more than the .25 percent the newcomers typically charge.

Advisors charging more certainly will argue they’re adding value. But if you’re paying much more for financial management, you might want to at least take a look at what you can get for less.

 

Friday’s need-to-know money news

130709154122-overdue-bill-debt-collection-620xaToday’s top story: 50 ways to improve your financial life in 2015. Also in the news: Why deferred interest rates on purchases isn’t always a good idea, how to decide which debts to pay off now or later, and the lazy guide to dealing with debt collectors.

50 ways to improve your finances in 2015
You’ll want to get comfy for this.

Why you should think twice about ‘buy now, pay interest later’ deals
Deferred interest can do a number on your wallet.

5 Debts You Should Pay Off Now – or Later
Not all debt is created equal.

The Slacker’s Guide to Dealing With a Debt Collector
Dealing with debt collectors while exerting the least amount of effort.

Will You Remain a Debt Slave Until Death?
Or will you see the light?

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Planning for you child’s college costs. Also in the news: How to destroy your debt in 2015, the crucial steps in setting up your first 401(k), and what you should do with your year-end bonus.

How to Plan for Your Child’s College Costs
The sooner you get started, the better.

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Start Killing Your Debt Next Year
Your debt won’t know what hit it.

3 Crucial Steps to Setting Up Your First 401(k)
Starting off on the right foot.

What to do with your year-end bonus
Don’t spend it all in one place.

Make Sure Your Retirement Savings Last With the “Bucket” Method
Filling the buckets for peace of mind.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

uk-budget-greenest-government_233Today’s top story: How to budget when living paycheck to paycheck. Also in the news: Finding the best prepaid debit card, quick fixes that can hurt your finances, and ten good financial rules of thumb.

How to Budget When You Don’t Have a Steady Income
A budget is critical when living paycheck to paycheck.

How to Find the Best Prepaid Debit Cards
Pay close attention to hidden fees.

5 ‘Band-Aid’ Fixes That Hurt Your Finances
Beware the short-term fixes that could cause lasting damage.

10 Good Financial Rules of Thumb
Solid starting points.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

635522783074355959-holiday-cardsToday’s top story: Ways to protect your credit during the holidays. Also in the news: Tips on minimizing your taxes, how to prepare for retirement, and how to make your charitable donations really count.

4 Ways to Keep the Grinch From Stealing Your Good Credit
Safe shopping will keep the Grinch at bay.

7 Ways To Minimize Your 2014 Taxes By December 31
April 15th is right around the corner.

8 tips for people who will retire in 2015
Preparing for a huge change.

Make Your Charitable Donations Really Count

Getting your money to the people who truly need it.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Five changes lawmakers have made to your taxes for 2015. Also in the news: Keeping your low-down-payment mortgage affordable, why using a Roth IRA to pay for college could work against you, and three reasons why you can’t stick to a budget.

5 Major Changes Lawmakers Made to Your Taxes
Getting ready for 2015.

How to Keep a Low-Down-Payment Mortgage Affordable
How to handle PMI.

Using a Roth IRA to Pay for College May Work Against You
Your child’s financial aid package could take a hit.

3 reasons why you just can’t stick to a budget
Besides being human.

Retailers’ data breaches could get ‘ugly’
More like ‘uglier’.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainToday’s top story: How to decide which debts you should pay off first. Also in the news: Financial topics you should never discuss at work, a key tax move you need to check before the end of the year, and how to offer financial advice to your adult kids.

Which Debts Should You Pay Off First?
How to develop a strategic pay off plan.

3 Financial Topics You Should Never Discuss at Work
Keep these conversations off-limits.

Don’t Let December End Without Looking at This Key Tax Move
Preparing for 2015 taxes.

How to Offer Financial Advice to Your Adult Child
Approaching a difficult conversation.

Plan Out a Year of Life as a Retiree To Jump-Start Your Saving
Giving your savings a boost in the right direction.

4 In 5 Millennials Optimistic For Future, But Half Live Paycheck To Paycheck
A look at the financial lives of millennials.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

budgetToday’s top story: Time to start getting your finances ready for 2015. Also in the news: How to give yourself a holiday bonus, protecting yourself and your credit from “Santa Scams”, and an end-of-the-year financial checklist.

15 tips on turning your finances around in 2015
Start getting ready.

Give Yourself (not Uncle Sam) a Christmas Bonus
Time to look at your W-4.

Santa Claus Is Coming… for Your Credit Cards
Watch out for the Letters From Santa scam.

Your End-of-Year Financial Checklist
Starting 2015 off on the right foot.

3 Reasons Why You Just Can’t Stick to a Budget
And how to fix them.