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Credit Cards

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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best-credit-cards-for-holiday-shopping-2013Today’s top story: Smart ways to use credit cards over the holidays. Also in the news: Personal finance tips people wish they’d know when they were younger, how to survive Black Friday, and steps you should take before the next financial crash.

5 Smart Ways to Use Credit Cards During the Holidays
Protecting your money and your data.

5 Personal Finance Tips Most People Wish They’d Known When They Were Younger
It’s never too late.

Surviving Black Friday: How to set a budget and stick to it
Resisting temptation.

Steps You Must Take Before the Next Financial Crash
Trouble could be on the horizon.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.