Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 ways to prepare and pack for COVID-Era travel. Also in the news: 8 safety tips for solo female travel, how doing a subscription detox could plug monthly budget leaks, and how to take advantage of (and keep) a high credit score.

5 Ways to Prepare and Pack for COVID-Era Travel
A lot has changed in the travel world since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

8 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel
Traveling solo as a woman has its challenges, but these tips can help you avoid unwanted situations.

Doing a Subscription Detox Could Plug Monthly Budget Leaks
Take a look at auto-renewing subscriptions — should you go cold turkey or use a more targeted approach?

How to Take Advantage of (and Keep) a High Credit Score
Reaping the rewards.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Your guide to earning bonus miles with airline promotions. Also in the news: 4 important features to finding the perfect home, why some people don’t mind overpaying the IRS, and this cash-envelope budgeting system turns back-to-school shopping into a money lesson.

Your Guide to Earning Bonus Miles With Airline Promotions
Check out these limited-time offers.

Look for these 4 important features to find the perfect home
Sometimes good enough is perfect.

Here’s why these people don’t mind overpaying the IRS
They’d rather get a refund.

This cash-envelope budgeting system turns back-to-school shopping into a money lesson
Letting your kids make the decisions.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: These 3 tricks can help you shop less. Also in the news: What you need to know about Slack’s IPO, a college survival guide for your money, and how to use travel rewards for a Memorial Day Weekend getaway.

These 3 Tricks Can Help You Shop Less
Curbing your spending.

What you need to know about Slack’s IPO.
The work chat hits Wall Street.

College Survival Guide for Your Money
Surviving the unexpected.

How to Use Travel Rewards for a Memorial Day Weekend Getaway
The official kickoff of summer.

There’s always a next recession, so be prepared

Recessions are like natural disasters: They’re inevitable, but smart preparation may reduce the impact on you.

The U.S. economy has grown steadily since emerging from the “Great Recession” in June 2009, but expansions can’t continue forever, and this one is already the second-longest on record. Only the expansion from March 1991 to March 2001 lasted longer.

Recessions occur when growth stops and the economy starts to shrink. They vary in severity and length, but often jobs disappear, incomes decline and lenders make it harder to qualify for credit.

Knowing what may be coming can help you fortify your finances to withstand a possible slowdown. In my latest for the Associated Press, some steps to consider.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to invest during a bear market. Also in the news: Saying goodbye to John Bogle, how to budget for a family trip to Disney, and questions to ask before taking a tax refund advance.

How to Invest During a Bear Market
Strategies to consider.

Why We’ll Miss John Bogle — and His Wealth of Investing Wisdom
Saying goodbye to a legend.

How to budget for a family trip to Disney.
Money for Mickey and friends.

Before Taking a Tax Refund Advance, Ask These Questions
Beware of hidden fees, high interest.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to budget for a family trip to Disney. Also in the news: How to cancel an extended car warranty, investment strategies for 2019, and 5 credit card trends to watch in 2019.

How to Budget for a Family Trip to Disney
Saving money for the Mouse.

How to Cancel an Extended Car Warranty — and Why You Might Want To
An expensive gamble.

Investment Strategies for 2019
Conquring the first quarter.

5 Credit Card Trends To Watch In 2019
Higher interest rates are on the way.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Scrub these expenses from your budget in 2019. Also in the news: 3 simple strategies to max out your 401(k), how your slow cooker saves you money, and unnecessary fees to stop paying in the new year.

Scrub These Expenses From Your Budget in 2019
Hitting reset on your expenses.

3 Simple Strategies to Max Out Your 401(k)
It’s easier than you think.

How Your Slow Cooker Saves You Money
Set it and forget it.

Stop Paying Unnecessary Fees in the New Year
The most common fees and how to avoid them.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Smart ways to rein in holiday spending. Also in the news: Budgeting before Black Friday to prevent costly regrets, why you should check travel prices before Black Friday, and 7 things not to buy on Cyber Monday.

Smart Ways to Rein In Holiday Spending
Keeping your expenses in check.

Budget Before Black Friday to Prevent Costly Regrets After
Don’t go in without a plan.

Check Travel Prices Before Black Friday
You could be missing out on deals.

7 things NOT to buy on Cyber Monday
Not all sales are created equal.