This week’s money news

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on overcoming financial fears, and appliance repair tips. In other news: What new lending regulations mean for small-business owners, can office-to-housing conversions dent the housing crisis, and 5 steps to prepare for student loan repayment.

Smart Money Podcast: Overcoming Financial Fears, and Appliance Repair Tips
Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston delve into the latest data from Consumer Reports and share handy tips that could end up saving you money and reducing electronic waste.

What New Lending Regulations Mean for Small-Business Owners
Small-business owners should expect to see more nonbank small-business lenders and should remain cautious of predatory lenders by paying attention to things like APR.

Can Office-to-Housing Conversions Dent the Housing Crisis?
Doing office-to-housing conversions at scale presents a costly challenge.

5 Steps to Prepare for Student Loan Repayment
The federal student loan payment pause is coming to an end. Here’s how to get ready to make payments again.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Student loan pause is extended. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on what our listeners accomplished this year, 6 Instagram tips for small-business owners, and for young adults, building credit starts now.

Student Loan Pause is Extended
Payments will resume May 2nd.

Smart Money Podcast: What Our Listeners Accomplished This Year, Part 2
This week’s episode continues our celebration of our listeners’ money wins in 2021.

6 Instagram Tips for Small-Business Owners, by Small-Business Owners
Learn how to build an effective small-business Instagram strategy that takes up minimal time.

For Young Adults, Building Credit Starts Now
Building your credit while you’re young will pay off in the future, and it may be easier than you think.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Federal student loan interest rates to increase July 1st. Also in the news: What it would take to solve the student debt crisis, 4 tips for small business owners paying down pandemic debt, and how to be a better long-distance caregiver.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates to Increase July 1
Rates will rise to 3.73% for the 2021-22 academic year after the historic low of 2.75% for the past year.

What Would It Take to Solve the Student Debt Crisis?
It’ll take more than debt forgiveness.

4 Tips for Small-Business Owners Paying Down Pandemic Debt
Paying down pandemic debt can help business owners rebuild and reinvest in their companies.

How to Be a Better Long-Distance Caregiver
Get the most out of technology, local helpers and available benefits when caring for a loved one from afar.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to be a better long-distance caregiver. Also in the news: 4 tips for small-business owners paying down pandemic debt, how to buy an electric car, and how to avoid paying a penalty if you filed your taxes late.

How to Be a Better Long-Distance Caregiver
Get the most out of technology, local helpers and available benefits when caring for a loved one from afar.

4 Tips for Small-Business Owners Paying Down Pandemic Debt
Paying down pandemic debt can help business owners rebuild and reinvest in their companies.

How to Buy an Electric Car
Shopping for an EV takes a different strategy. Here’s what you need to know to get a good deal.

How to Avoid Paying a Penalty If You Filed Your Taxes Late
How the IRS’ late fees work

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Haven’t filed your taxes yet? Act soon to avoid penalties. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on free health insurance, a tax guide for small business owners, and Americans fear highest inflation in nearly a decade.

Haven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Act Soon to Avoid Penalties
Dealing with taxes can be a pain, but it’s better than the penalties you’ll face if you don’t file or pay on time.

Smart Money Podcast: Free Health Insurance and Finding Scholarships
A discussion about a provision in the American Rescue Plan that qualifies millions of Americans for free or lower-cost health insurance.

A Tax Guide for Small-Business Owners
Practicing good financial hygiene throughout the year takes some of the headaches out of filing business taxes.

Americans fear highest inflation in nearly a decade
Growing fears.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Read this before you refinance your federal student loans. Also in the news: COVID-19 accelerates no-exam trend in life insurance, low-cost ways small businesses can help employees save more, and what’s up with the latest COVID relief bill.

Read This Before You Refinance Federal Student Loans
Even with low rates, refinancing isn’t right for everyone.

COVID-19 Accelerates No-Exam Trend in Life Insurance
Staying away from the exam room.

Here are some easy, low-cost ways small businesses can help employees save more
Technology and competition have made workplace savings plans more accessible in recent years

What’s Up With the Latest COVID Relief Bill?
Things continue to move slowly.

How small businesses can help workers save

Donna Skemp of Bend, Oregon, struggled to save before she signed up for an automatic savings plan offered by her employer’s payroll services company. Now, some of her pay goes into a federally insured, interest-paying savings account that she can access any time with a debit card.

“It’s painless, and it’s so easy,” says Skemp, accounting and office manager for the nonprofit Every Kid Sports, which pays sports registration fees for children from low-income families.

Skemp is lucky — more than one-third of private-sector workers don’t have access to workplace savings plans via payroll deduction. Many small-business owners may think such plans are too expensive or complicated to administer. In my latest for the Associated Press, find out why that isn’t so.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you pay off your mortgage before you retire? Also in the news: New UltraFICO score could boost credit access for consumers, a cheapskate’s guide to shopping for credit cards, and 7 year-end tax planning strategies for small business owners.

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire?
Or is it better to wait?

New UltraFICO Score Could Boost Credit Access for Consumers
Big changes are coming.

A Cheapskate’s Guide to Shopping for Credit Cards
Finding a card to match your careful spending.

7 year-end tax planning strategies for small business owners
Tax season is right around the corner.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 keys to budgeting as a freelancer. Also in the news: What you can learn about saving from a former big spender, why small business owners should offer pension plans, and what you need to know about credit cards when you travel abroad.

3 Keys to Budgeting as a Freelancer
Keeping a steady budget without steady income.

What You Can Learn About Saving From a Former Big Spender
Tips on what NOT to do.

Why Small-Business Owners Should Offer Pension Plans
Battling the retirement savings crisis.

What you need to know about credit cards when you travel abroad
Watch out for fees.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

law-technology-podcasts-300x300Today’s top story: Seven money podcasts you should be tuning in to. Also in the news: Why your parents’ financial advisor keeps asking about you, how small business owners can prepare for an interest rate hike, and a guide to debit vs credit cards.

7 Money Podcasts You Should Be Following
Making your commute more enjoyable and profitable!

Why Your Parents’ Financial Advisor Asks About You
A different kind of inheritance.

3 Ways Small-Business Owners Can Prepare for an Interest Rate Hike
The days of zero percent interest rates could be coming to an end.

A Simple Guide to Debit vs. Credit Cards
Which is best for you?

Want to Get Out of Debt? Study Finds Best Way to Do It
Where should you start?