Smart Money Guide

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Americans vote in the midterm elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships are on the ballot. The new Congress takes office on January 3, 2027. That date matters for your money — but not the way election-night headlines suggest. Here are the five money questions the new Congress will decide, and what changes nothing on November 4. 1. What is actually decided on November 3? Voters decide who controls the House and the Senate, and who governs 36 states. That control decides which bills get a vote: tax law, health-care funding, and retirement policy all start in Congress. But election night does not settle everything. The first polls close at 6 PM Eastern on November 3, and results that night are preliminary. Close races can take days or even weeks to resolve. So do not make a money move on November 4 based on a headline about who "won" — wait until control is actually decided. The same day bri...

Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage opens today, Sunday, November 1, 2026 — and it opens with a jolt. Benchmark Silver plan premiums will cost 13% more on average in 2027, according to a KFF analysis published Friday, October 30, based on newly released federal plan data. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its own Plan Year 2027 fact sheet the same day; it did not give an average premium change. This is the second year of marketplace coverage without the enhanced federal premium help that expired at the end of 2025. That matters more than the headline number, because the help that used to soften premium increases is gone — and the prices you see on HealthCare.gov now reflect that. Here is what the 13% figure actually means, and the five moves to make before you pick a plan. What the 13% rise really is The benchmark Silver plan is the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area, and federal subsidies are pegged to it. When KFF says benchmark premiums ri...

  Open enrollment for 2027 opens November 1, 2026, and runs through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1; enroll December 16 to January 15 and your coverage starts February 1. Before you pick a plan, answer one question first: is your doctor covered? A plan that looks cheap on premium can turn expensive fast if your doctor is out-of-network. Out-of-network care usually costs far more — and sometimes is not covered at all. Here is how to check in minutes. Step 1: Find your plan's provider directory. Every insurer has an online provider directory on its website or app. Search by your doctor's name, specialty, and location. Make sure you are looking at the 2027 directory for the exact plan you are considering — not last year's plan, and not a different plan with a similar name. Step 2: Call your doctor's office. Directories can be out of date. Call the office and ask one clear question: "Are you in-network for [plan name] in 2027?...

November is deadline month. Miss one date and you could lose health coverage, pay a penalty, or leave free money on the table. Here are the seven dates that matter most this month — and what to do about each one before it passes. 1. November 1 — ACA Open Enrollment Opens The Affordable Care Act open enrollment window runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. From tomorrow, you can enroll in a 2027 health plan, switch plans, or renew your current coverage. If you buy insurance through the marketplace, this is your window — after January 15, you will need a qualifying life event to enroll. Read the full guide: ACA Open Enrollment 2027: 7 Smart Moves Before Nov 1 2. December 15 — The Date That Decides Your January Coverage Enroll by December 15 and your coverage starts January 1, 2027. Enroll between December 16 and January 15 and your coverage starts February 1 instead What happens if you miss it: Missed the Dec 15 ACA Deadline? Here's What Happens Next (and Your Jan 15 Backup)...

Open enrollment for 2027 runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. If you enroll by December 15, your coverage starts January 1. Enroll between December 16 and January 15, and your coverage starts February 1. But before you compare plans, you need to understand the words on the plan page. Here are the 9 terms that decide what you actually pay, explained in plain English. 1. Premium The premium is the amount you pay every month just to keep the plan, whether you use it or not. Think of it like a subscription fee. A low premium looks attractive, but it often comes with a high deductible (see below), so the cheapest monthly price is not always the cheapest plan overall. 2. Deductible The deductible is the amount you pay out of your own pocket for covered care before your plan starts paying its share. For example, with a $2,000 deductible, you pay the first $2,000 of covered medical bills yourself. After that, the plan's cost-sharing kicks in. Preventive care, like annual checkup...