Monday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to protect your credit cards online. Also in the news: Tips to avoid investing scams, moves to make before the Fed raises interest rates, and how to handle investments if you divorce.

4 Ways to Protect Your Credit Cards Online
With holiday shopping just around the corner, you can’t be too careful.

Simple steps retirees (and others) can take to avoid investing scams
If it sounds too good to be true…

5 moves to make before the Fed raises rates
It’s only a matter of time.

How to Handle Investments When You Divorce
Making sure your assets are fairly divided.

Finally Start Saving for Retirement With the Help of Your Tax Refund
Saving instead of splurging.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

best-emv-chip-credit-cardsToday’s top story: Busting the myths about chip credit cards. Also in the news: Relying on Social Security, how to pay for taking care of your aging parents, and how to avoid airline price surges this Thanksgiving.

5 Chip Credit Card Myths Busted
Mythbusting the chip myths.

After Budget Deal’s Surprise Cuts, Can Boomers Really Count On Social Security?
Politicians are making promises they can’t keep.

Taking Care of Your Aging Parents? It’s Going to Cost You
Preparing for the costs.

How to avoid airline price surges this Thanksgiving
Finding last-minute travel deals.

Three things you can do if you’re behind in saving for retirement
There’s still time to start catching up.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Student-LoansToday’s top story: How to decide if you should refinance your student loans. Also in the news: Credit card scams to watch out for, money-saving tips for the holidays, and hidden perks in your credit cards.

This Infographic Helps You Decide If You Should Refinance Student Loans
Refinancing could give you some breathing room.

3 Credit Card Scams You Need to Watch Out For
Protect yourself.

5 smart money-saving tips for the holidays
Especially if you’re still paying off last year’s holiday shopping.

8 Perks That Might Be Hiding in Your Credit Cards
What you could be missing out on.

7 simple steps to wise charitable giving
Donating strategically.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to stop being afraid of credit cards. Also in the news: Personal finance lessons we wish we learned in school, protecting seniors from financial scams, and how to avoid money mistakes after losing a spouse.

Scared of Credit Cards? This Tool Could Help You Make the Leap
There’s nothing to be afraid of if you do it right.

6 personal finance lessons we wish were taught in school
Probably more helpful than trigonometry.

How to Guard Against Common Scams That Target Seniors
Protecting your loved ones from predators.

4 Money Mistakes People Often Make After a Spouse Dies
Don’t make any impulsive decisions.

How you pay your bills may affect your credit

1436536219414Lenders are no longer just interested in whether you pay your bills or not. Increasingly, they are looking at how you pay those bills to determine whether they want you as a customer.

Credit reports now show if you regularly pay your credit cards in full every month – making you a low-risk “transactor” – or if you are a higher-risk “revolver” who carries a balance.

Some lenders use the information to determine what types of credit cards and loans to market to people, while others are starting to use the distinctions in decisions about whether to grant credit at all, as well as what rates and terms to offer.

In my latest for Reuters, a look a how lenders determine what type of risk category you fall under.

As the strongest-ever hurricane barrels toward Mexico and its remnants are forecast to bring more rain to an already flood-weary Texas, homeowners and renters should take a moment to review their coverage against the damages Mother Nature can inflict. In my latest for Moneywatch, the five things you need to know about disaster insurance.

Also in Moneywatch, the IRS has announced the retirement plan contribution limits for 2016.

Finally, in my latest for BankRate, a look at when it’s worth it to refinance a mortgage.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

8.6.13.CheckupToday’s top story: How student loans can hurt your mortgage approval chances. Also in the news: How to keep your health care costs in check, why identity thieves love millennials, and easy retirement plans for the self-employed.

Can Student Loans Hurt Your Mortgage Approval?
Pay attention to your debt-to-income ratio.

7 Ways to Keep Your Health Care Costs in Check
How to rein in your medical spending.

ID thieves love millennials.
A social media created monster.

4 easy retirement plans for the self-employed
Don’t miss out on the tax benefits.

MasterCard tries out ‘selfie pay’ for online purchases
Civilization was fun while it lasted.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

crop380w_istock_000009258023xsmall-dbet-ball-and-chainToday’s top story: How the new chip-based credit cards could accidentally hurt your credit. Also in the news: How to pay off lingering debt, which states have the best and worst financial habits, and why raiding your 401(k) is a mistake.

How Your New Credit Card Could Hurt Your Credit
Make sure you check your recurring charges.

A Simple Guide to Paying Off Lingering Debt
Slow and steady progress.

The states where people have the best and worst financial habits
How’s your state doing?

Why Raiding Your 401(k) Is a Mistake
The ultimate last resort.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

smartphones_financeToday’s top story: How to get the best deal on a new cellphone. Also in the news: What happens to your debts after you die, when a loan beats a credit card, and how to decide if you need life insurance.

Buying a cellphone? Here’s how to get the best deal.
Read the fine print.

This Is What Happens to Your Debts After You Die
What debts will your estate be responsible for?

5 Times a Loan Beats a Credit Card
Credit cards may be easier, but they’re not always smarter.

Do You Need Life Insurance? How Much Is Enough?
Important calculations.

College refinancing options open up for parent PLUS loans

22856641_SAParents who borrowed to put their kids through college now have several options to refinance their federal PLUS loans, including, in some cases, the ability to transfer their debt to those children.

The situation is a sharp turnaround from the period after the financial crisis, when private lenders fled the student loan market and few borrowers were able to refinance their debt to take advantage of lower rates.

Lending began to thaw in 2012 when a few start-ups, credit unions and banks began offering refinancing to student borrowers, said Andy Josuweit, chief executive officer of education loan information site Student Loan Hero.

In my latest for Reuters, a look at which lenders have added PLUS refinancing.

And in my latest for CBS Moneywatch, a look at “card cracking” scams that are taking over social media.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Why October 1st is a big day for credit cards. Also in the news: The problem with the new credit card technology, identity theft protection, and free financial planning days.

What’s Really Happening to Your Credit Card on Oct. 1?
Introducing the credit card chip.

The problem with America’s new credit card technology
Six in ten Americans don’t have chip-enabled cards.

Identity Theft Protection is on You
No more excuses.

Financial Planning You Can Afford
Free Financial Planning Days begin on October 3rd.