Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why one teacher changed careers and gave up loan forgiveness. Also in the news: What the signs are that I need a new bank, how to make extra cash by renting out your car, and how to get 100% of your student loans forgiven through the borrower defense program.

Why One Teacher Changed Careers and Gave Up Loan Forgiveness
A NerdWallet writer shares her experience of leaving the teaching profession — and the promise of student loan forgiveness.

Ask a Nerd: What Are the Signs That I Need a New Bank?
A few key signs can let you know if it’s time to open a new bank account elsewhere.

How to Make Extra Cash by Renting Out Your Car
A handful of Airbnb-like services bring the sharing economy to personal vehicles.

How to Get 100% of Your Student Loans Forgiven Through the Borrower Defense Program
Students who attended certain for-profit colleges may be eligible for complete federal loan relief.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 reasons not to tap your home equity right now. Also in the news: How much an abortion cost, how to tell if you’re eligible for student loan forgiveness, and what the difference between a recession and a depression is.

3 Reasons Not to Tap Your Home Equity Right Now
Borrowing against the value of your home is tempting, but consider your overall financial picture first.

How Much Does an Abortion Cost?
Abortion costs roughly $750 or less in the U.S., but access depends on factors such as where you live and how long you’ve been pregnant.

How to Tell If You’re Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness
If you have debt from federal student loans, this is your lucky day—maybe.

What’s the Difference Between a Recession and a Depression?
There are multiple factors that contribute to these financial downturns.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to afford big-ticket items for the year. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on summer travel tips and conflicting financial priorities, how a Burbank teacher got their student loans forgiven, and 4 smart ways to teach kids about saving money.

How to Afford Big-Ticket Items for the Year
If you need to make a big purchase this year, such as furniture or an appliance, plan around sales and your budget.

Smart Money Podcast: Summer Travel Tips and Conflicting Financial Priorities
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about summer travel: how to manage costs, stay safe and prepare for the possibility of flight cancellations.

How I Got My Student Loans Forgiven: Teacher in Burbank, California
A fraught program gets temporary improvements.

4 Smart Ways to Teach Kids About Saving Money
Kids can learn to save by talking about money, securing a strong savings account and setting trackable goals.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to find an LGBTQ-Supportive financial advisor. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on setting your business up for success, the debate over student loan cancellation, and which items actually got cheaper this month.

How to Find an LGBTQ-Supportive Financial Advisor
Financial advisors exist for every income level and can help LGBTQ+ people realize their goals and ensure their wishes are honored.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Business: Setting Your Business Up for Success
This week, we talk with a business owner about how she turned on-the-side consulting work into a business with multiple revenue streams — and her passion for supporting other Latina entrepreneurs.

Are 0% Interest Student Loans Better Than $10K Cancellation?
Cancellation is the most popular proposal to address student loan debt, but it isn’t the only one out there.

These Items Actually Got Cheaper This Month
The new Consumer Price Index spells trouble, but not all items are affected.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to approach buying home insurance for the first time. Also in the news: How to get PrEP with or without insurance, could this be the summer of debt forgiveness, and these credit cards come with sweet airport perks.

How to Approach Buying Home Insurance for the First Time
Proactive research will make the home buying process easier.

How to Get PrEP With or Without Insurance
Here’s what health care experts say about how to get PrEP for HIV prevention, with or without insurance.

Will This Be the Summer of Student Debt Cancellation?
The “will he, won’t he” summer of student debt cancellation is upon us.

These Credit Cards Come With Sweet Airport Perks
You may already have access to a fancy airport lounge and not even know it.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to score points in the credit game. Also in the news: 5 credit card trends to watch for, student loan payment plan promises forgiveness but rarely delivers, and how to tell if a bank account is right for you.

How to Score Points in the Credit Game
The traditional advice of paying on time and keeping balances low will eventually result in decent credit. But you can speed it up.

5 Credit Card Trends to Watch for in 2022
Expect more customized rewards and incentives, a more seamless overall customer experience and a big resurgence in travel credit cards, among other things.

Student Loan Payment Plan Promises Forgiveness But Rarely Delivers
Most borrowers are unlikely to ever see that debt forgiven, despite the baked-in promise to do just that.

4 Ways to Tell if a Bank Account Is Right for You

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Make your money more exciting by keeping it boring. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on finding a new job and rent vs. buy in a new city, 7 ways to make more confident COVID-Era business decisions, and why you might finally qualify for student loan forgiveness.

Make Your Money More Exciting — By Keeping It Boring
Growing your net worth doesn’t have to be a thrill ride. Boring money management allows you to live your life while your nest egg grows in the background.

Smart Money Podcast: Finding a New Job and Rent vs. Buy in a New City
Getting what you want out of a new job.

7 Ways to Make More Confident COVID-Era Business Decisions
Here’s how to make COVID-era decisions with less anxiety.

You Might Finally Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness
New Public Service Loan Forgiveness rules mean hundreds of thousands of borrowers could have their loans forgiven faster than expected.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you save less for retirement? Also in the news: Can student loan forgiveness happen, a new congressional proposal would require IRA/401(k) withdrawals to start at 75, and how to spot fake reviews on Amazon.

Should You Save Less For Retirement?
An extremely early retirement goal may rob you of the joy of living now. Consider a revised path and second career.

Can Student Loan Forgiveness Still Happen?
Debt forgiveness of $10,000 would cancel debt entirely for about 15 million borrowers, according to a NerdWallet analysis of federal data.

Required IRA, 401(k) withdrawals would start at age 75 under congressional proposal. Here’s who would benefit
How your retirement savings might be affected.

How to Spot Fake Reviews on Amazon
Those five stars might be bought and paid for.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Do eco-friendly credit cards deliver on their promises? Also in the news: How to choose between hotel loyalty programs, how to become a digital nomad abroad, and the status of student loan forgiveness.

Do Eco-Friendly Credit Cards Deliver on Their Promises?
They’re a start, but even recycled plastic has downsides. Metal cards, digital wallets and buying less help, too.

How to Choose Between Hotel Loyalty Programs
You’ll not only have to decide on a hotel brand, but also if the loyalty program’s elite status perks are worth it.

How to Become a Digital Nomad Abroad
These tips can help you make sure you have a plan to work, save money and build a community abroad.

Is Student Loan Forgiveness Dead?
Where loan forgiveness currently stands.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to budget for a new home so you don’t end up house poor. Also in the news: Why (and how) to renew your passport now, even if you’re not traveling soon, once-rare cell phone protection is now a common credit card perk, and should you plan for $50,000 in student loan forgiveness?

How to Budget for a New Home So You Don’t End Up House Poor
Before buying a home, figure out how much house you can truly afford, including a budget for maintenance and repairs.

Why (and How) to Renew Your Passport Now, Even If You’re Not Traveling Soon
The State Department is processing applications slower than usual, so you’ll want to apply early.

Once-Rare Cell Phone Protection Now a Common Credit Card Perk
Cell phone insurance is the kind of perk that can benefit both the cardholder and the card issuer. Here’s why and what to know about it.

Should You Plan for $50,000 In Student Loans Forgiveness?
Is there reason for optimism?