Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 common myths about travel insurance and what it covers. Also in the news: Is Disney travel insurance worth the cost, 2022 is the year of all-inclusive travel and the best fast food apps for getting free stuff.

6 Common Myths About Travel Insurance and What It Covers
Travel insurance isn’t a magic Band-Aid on trip troubles. It’s important to know what coverage you need.

Is Disney Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?
Disney’s insurance is good for covering theme park tickets, but you’re likely better off with a different policy.

2022 Is the Year of All-Inclusive Travel, and Here’s Why
Hotel chains are expanding and entirely reimagining their all-inclusive portfolios.

The Best Fast Food Apps For Getting Free Stuff
Whoever said “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” clearly didn’t have a smartphone.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Are cash management accounts safe? Also in the news: 6 items to add to your packing list for COVID-era travel, 5 myths about high-yield savings accounts during COVID-19, and how to talk about debt as newlyweds.

Are Cash Management Accounts Safe? How CMAs Protect Your Money
What to know about FDIC insurance.

6 Items to Add to Your Packing List for COVID-Era Travel
You don’t want to leave home without some of these less obvious items for travel.

5 Myths About High-Yield Savings Accounts During COVID-19
Mythbusting.

How to Talk About Debt as Newlyweds
Starting with a clean slate.

What millennials get wrong about Social Security

Few issues unite millennials like the future of Social Security. Overwhelmingly, they’re convinced it doesn’t have one.

A recent Transamerica survey found that 80% of millennials, defined in the survey as people born between 1979 and 2000, worry that Social Security won’t be around when they need it. That’s not surprising — for years, they’ve heard that Social Security is about to “run out of money.”

The language doesn’t match the reality. In my latest for the Associated Press, why the myths surrounding Social Security could cause problems for millennials and their retirement.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 student loan refinancing myths debunked. Also in the news: Colleges that will pay for your degree through work, Sallie Mae launches credit cards aimed at millennials, and why you should stay away from wedding loans.

4 Student Loan Refinancing Myths Debunked
How to determine if it’s the right move for you.

These Colleges Will Pay Tuition, but You’ll Work for It
Trading labor for tuition.

Sallie Mae launches new credit cards aimed at millennials and Gen Z. Are they right for you?
Another Sallie Mae bill to pay.

Stay away from wedding loans
The bad way to say “I do.”

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What will long-term care cost you? Also in the news: Social Security myths, the best cities for first-time home buyers, and how to pay less to your credit card company.

What Will Long-Term Care Cost You?
Almost everyone will need it after 65.

Don’t Believe These Social Security Myths
Checking the facts.

These are the best cities for first-time home buyers
7 spots to look at.

Here’s how to pay less to your credit card company
Just pick up the phone.

Don’t believe these Social Security myths

Researchers tell us that most people would be better off waiting to claim Social Security benefits. Yet most people file early.

More than half apply for Social Security before they reach full retirement age, which is currently 66 and rising to 67 for people born in 1960 and later. More than 30% apply as soon as they can — at age 62. Only about one in 25 applicants waits until age 70, when monthly benefits max out.

Some people have little choice, of course. They may have no savings and no job. Others have better options than applying early, but don’t realize it.

In my latest for the Associated Press, the myths surrounding Social Security.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 steps to consolidate your debt with a personal loan. Also in the news: 5 myths about debt consolidation, collection costs on defaulted student loans, and the pitfalls of promotional APR credit cards.

5 Steps to Consolidate Your Debt With a Personal Loan
A to-do list.

Forget These 5 Myths You’ve Heard About Debt Consolidation
Separating truth from fiction.

How Much Are Collection Costs on Defaulted Student Loans?
Your balance could increase by 40%.

Think Long and Hard Before Using a Promotional APR
The small print could get you.

5 travel rewards myths that could cost you

Twenty-four years ago, I knew so little about travel rewards that I took an around-the-world trip without signing up for a single frequent traveler program. Those lost points and miles still haunt me.

Fast forward to last summer, when our family stayed two nights at a luxury hotel in Venice, Italy. Our room would have cost an eye-popping €1,500, or about $1,700, per night. Thanks to the points I’d accumulated using a travel rewards credit card, this over-the-top stay was free.

There’s definitely a learning curve involved when it comes to travel rewards, but delaying your education can be costly if you love to travel. In my latest for the Associated Press, 5 travel reward myths to avoid.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 items that make any hotel room feel like home. Also in the news: 3 “tax-friendly” states that are anything but, the best thing you’ve done to get your finances in order, and 5 gas mileage myths that are wasting your money.

5 Items That Make Any Hotel Room Feel Like Home
You don’t have to feel like a stranger while on the road.

This Harsh Tax Can Make These 3 “Tax-Friendly” States Anything But
Nevada, Texas, and Washington.

What’s the Best Thing You’ve Done to Get Your Finances in Order?
Share your tips.

5 gas mileage myths that are wasting your money
You can leave the air conditioning on.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: NerdWallet’s best credit card tips for May 2017. Also in the news: VA loan funding fees, the best banks for multiple savings accounts, and 401(k) myths you can’t afford to believe.

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for May 2017
Which cards you should be considering.

VA Loan Funding Fee: What You’ll Pay and Why in 2017
Don’t be caught off-guard.

Need Multiple Savings Accounts? Here’s Where to Bank
Which banks offer the most bang for your bucks.

401(k) myths you can’t afford to believe
Time for some myth busting.