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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 questions to answer before taking out student loans. Also in the news: Debt collection goes high-tech, 7 alternative ways to pay your taxes, and credit card rental insurance doesn’t cover as much as you think.

3 Questions to Answer Before Taking Out Student Loans
Important things to consider.

From Stone Age to Drone Age: Debt Collection Goes High-Tech
Send in the drones!

7 Alternative Ways to Pay Your Taxes
Thinking outside the box.

Credit Card Car Rental Insurance Doesn’t Cover as Much as You Think
Reading the fine print.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Finding your tax refund. Also in the news: How long you should keep your tax records, when to pay for ‘free’ shipping, and 7 steps towards financial literacy for your kids.

Where’s My Tax Refund?
Tracking down your refund.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Records?
What to keep and what to toss.

When to Pay for ‘Free’ Shipping
When “free” is worth the cost.

7 Steps Toward Financial Literacy For Your Children
It’s never too early for them to learn.

Investment fees could leave you old and broke

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You want to save as much as possible for retirement. The financial services industry wants to make as much money off you as it can.

That thorny conflict is at the heart of the battle over what is known as the “fiduciary rule.” If implemented, it would require financial advisers to put clients’ best interests first when counseling them about retirement savings. In practice, it typically would prevent financial pros from steering you into a high-cost investment if similar low-cost choices are available.

The differences in fees — often fractions of a percent — may sound minuscule.

Over time, though, higher fees can dramatically reduce the amount of money that investors accumulate for retirement, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission and other investor watchdogs, and significantly increase the chances that savers will run out of money late in life.

In my latest for the Associated Press, how to save money for retirement without making the financial services industry even richer.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: April 18th isn’t just the tax-filing deadline. Also in the news: Why so many credit cards are from Delaware, how to file a tax extension online, and lowering your tax bill with IRA contributions.

April 18 Isn’t Just the Tax-Filing Deadline
Other items to add to your to-do list.

Why So Many Credit Cards Are From Delaware
The answer may surprise you.

How to File a Tax Extension Online
Don’t delay when you need more time.

Reminder: You Have Until Tomorrow to Lower Your Tax Bill With IRA Contributions
Tick-tock.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Only 1 in 10 Americans are at Peak Financial Health. Also in the news: How to dodge stock market scams, when a tax refund means bankruptcy, and millennial parents face the reality of baby costs.

Only 1 in 10 Americans at Peak Financial Health
Where Americans are falling short.

How to Dodge Stock Market Scams
Protecting your investments.

When a Tax Refund Means Bankruptcy
Using a refund as a budget tool or a chance at a fresh start.

Millennial parents face the reality of baby costs
Babies are both adorable and expensive.