Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to maximize travel rewards on holiday spending this year. Also in the news: Your guide to hotel travel with pets, why renting out your RV has become a lucrative pandemic side hustle, and how to avoid this fake Zoom meeting invite phishing scam.

How to Maximize Travel Rewards on Holiday Spending This Year
Think of your once-a-year holiday shopping as an opportunity to earn more points on your travel credit card.

Your Guide to Hotel Travel With Pets
Finding a pet-friendly hotel can seem complicated unless you know what to look for.

Why Renting Out Your RV Has Become a Lucrative Pandemic Side Hustle
Renewed interest in traveling by motorhome or camper van has fueled the growth of the RV rental market.

Avoid This Fake Zoom Meeting Invite Phishing Scam
Not even your boring work meetings are safe.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Smart ways to establish credit in 2020. Also in the news: 3 strategies to recover from holiday overshopping, the pros and cons of merging money when married, and how to downgrade your Chase card without losing your points.

Smart Ways to Establish Credit in 2020
Sorting through the options.

Overshopped in December? Try These 3 Strategies to Recover
Beating the holiday shopping hangover.

Does Marriage Have to Mean Merging Money?
A look at the pros and cons.

How to Downgrade Your Chase Credit Card Without Losing Your Points
A change in annual fee has customers thinking twice.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Turn your next car purchase into a vacation. Also in the news: The new version of layaway, how soon you’ll recover from holiday spending, and why Travelex users need to lock down their financial information right now.

Turn Your Next Car Purchase Into a Vacation
The car you want might be cheaper in another state.

You can have the item now. But can you really afford it?
There’s a new version of layaway.

How Soon Will My Credit Recover From Holiday Spending?
It’s going to take a bit.

Travelex Users: Lock Down Your Financial Info Right Now
A serious data breach.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Make sure a new holiday credit card plays well with others. Also in the news: How one couple paid off over $200K of debt in six years, how to tell if consolidating your student loans would actually save you money, and the 10 best finance movies of the decade.

Make Sure a New Holiday Credit Card Plays Well With the Others
1 in 4 consumers will open a new credit card over the holidays.

How I Ditched Debt: ‘Happiness Journey’ Fueled Payoff
How one couple paid off over $200K in six years.

Here’s how to tell if consolidating your student loans would actually save you money
Not all loan consolidations are equal.

The 10 Best Finance Movies of the Decade
Financial lessons on the big screen.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do if your parents need financial help. Also in the news: Why no new debt is the best holiday gift to your family, AmEx cardholders report account shutdowns, and why you should get a health insurance cost estimate even if you’re not buying coverage.

What to Do If Your Parents Need Financial Help
Balancing your needs with theirs.

The Best Holiday Gift to Your Family? No New Debt
The gift that won’t keep on taking.

AmEx Cardholders Report Account Shutdowns
Self-referrals appear to be the culprit.

Get a Health Insurance Cost Estimate Even If You’re Not Buying Coverage
You could be eligible for a subsidy.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Be first in line for college aid by filing the FAFSA now. Also in the news: What to expect when requesting a credit line increase, four ways to supplement your college financial aid, and preparing your finances for the holidays.

Be First in Line for College Aid by Filing the FAFSA Now
Get it done today.

Requesting a Credit Limit Increase? Here’s What to Expect
You could see a “hard pull” on your credit report.

4 ways to supplement your college financial aid
Covering the costs beyond tuition.

It’s Time to Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays
Stores are already decorating for Christmas.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why you may overspend on the holidays and how to stop. Also in the news: One woman’s way out of debt, why a late credit card payment may cost more in 2019, and how to get on the same page with your partner about money.

Why You May Overspend on the Holidays and How to Stop
Curbing your holiday spending.

How I Ditched Debt: Thrifty Living and Side Gigs
One woman’s story.

A Late Credit Card Payment May Cost You More in 2019
Late fees are on the rise.

How to Get on the Same Page With Your Partner About Money
Financial compatibility is essential.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: With money goals, multitasking pays off. Also in the news: Snagging hotel loyalty perks, what to know about high yield reward checking accounts, and how to not let debt ruin your holiday.

With Money Goals, Multitasking Pays Off
There needs to be more than just paying off debt.

Snag These Hotel Loyalty Perks, Even if You’re Disloyal
It all depends on the right card.

What to Know About High Yield Reward Checking Accounts
Some accounts offer interest as high as 5%.

Don’t Let Debt Ruin Your Holiday
Some people are still paying off last year’s gifts.

Smart Ways to Rein In Holiday Spending

The holidays are a huge deal in the Weston household — and every year, the expenses threatened to gallop out of control.

Keeping the holiday joyous and less stressful means keeping a firm rein on our spending. In my latest for the Associated Press, what we do, as well as smart frugal tips from others.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 tips to get back on budget after the holidays. Also in the news: Thinking twice about that in-flight credit card offer, how a Roth IRA works, and how paying your child an allowance can pay off in the long run.

5 Tips to Get Back on Budget After the Holidays
Reigning in the spending.

Think Twice About That In-Flight Credit Card Offer
Reading the fine print.

How Does a Roth IRA Work?
Know this important retirement tool.

Paying allowance can pay off, if you do it right
How much is enough?