Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 options for your money before student loan payments resume. Also in the news: Why the freelancing boom may change how you buy life insurance, 4 signs we’re in a housing market primed for regret, and how to invest in real estate with your IRA.

5 Options for Your Money Before Student Loan Payments Resume
February will be here before you know it.

The Freelancing Boom May Change How You Buy Life Insurance
How life insurance planning differs for freelancers.

4 Signs We’re in a Housing Market Primed for Regret
Looking out for buyer’s remorse.

How to Invest in Real Estate With Your IRA
You can buy it, but you can’t live in it.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What Biden’s free college plan could mean for you. Also in the news: Overrated travel gear that you should (probably) never pack, what to do with extra money, and how to get a refund on federal student loan payments you made during the pandemic.

What Biden’s Free College Plan Could Mean for YouThe president announced plans for more student aid, including free community college and higher Pell Grants.

Overrated Travel Gear That You Should (Probably) Never Pack
Don’t waste money or suitcase space on these unnecessary items for travel.

What to Do With Extra Money
Extra cash is great, but what should you do with it? Investing is often the answer.

How to Get a Refund on Federal Student Loan Payments You Made During the Pandemic
It’s your money until the moratorium expires.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Federal borrowers get to skip another student loan payment. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the financial lessons of the pandemic, how to recover after being denied a mortgage, and how to financially plan for having kids.

Federal Borrowers Get to Skip Another Student Loan Payment
New deadline of January 31st.

Smart Money Podcast: Pandemic Money Lessons, and Saving for a Down Payment
What we can take away from the pandemic.

Mortgage Denied? Here’s How to Recover
Determine the reason for denial — such as lack of credit history or a high debt-to-income ratio — then address it before reapplying.

How to Financially Plan for Having Kids
It’s going to be a long haul.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What no student loan payments until 2021 means for you. Also in the news: How to get started if you’ve never had a bank account, how to get a personal loan in a COVID-19 economy, and how the new payroll tax deferral will affect you.

What No Student Loan Payments Until 2021 Means for You
Diving into the details.

How to Get a Personal Loan in a COVID-19 Economy
Keeping strong credit, having verifiable income and comparing offers will help borrowers get a personal loan.

How the New Payroll Tax Deferral Will Affect You
Important details.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: New lawyers frustrated, depressed by student loan debt. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on lower mortgage rates and moving during a pandemic, how to take a high-interest loan and skip the debt cycle, and why you’ve got more time to pay off federal student loans.

New Lawyers Frustrated, Depressed by Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt is affecting every aspect of their lives.

Smart Money Podcast: Lower Mortgage Rates, and Moving During a Pandemic
Rents are dropping.

How to Take a High-Interest Loan and Skip the Debt Cycle
Consider your bank as an option.

You’ve Got More Time to Pay Off Your Federal Student Loans
You now have until Dec. 31st.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: You can now pause 2 student loan payments. But should you? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on the coronavirus, why you should be the friend who talks about money, and how long you should keep your tax documents.

You Can Now Pause 2 Student Loan Payments, But Should You?
Is it really worth it?

SmartMoney podcast: Coronavirus edition
How the virus impacts your money.

Be the Friend Who Talks About Money
Tough conversations that are worth having.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Documents?
Make copies of everything.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to resist online ads and keep your money. Also in the news: Avoiding a common student loan scam, a NerdWallet special report on home buyers, and why you should schedule an extra student loan payment on the day the interest is lowest.

How to Resist Online Ads and Keep Your Money
Fighting temptation.

She Fell for a Common Student Loan Scam. You Don’t Have To
Don’t get duped.

Recent Home Buyers Stretched, Future Hunters Optimistic
A NerdWallet special report.

Schedule an Extra Student Loan Payment on the Day the Interest Is Lowest
Make sure the payment is applied correctly.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What homeowners must remember at tax time this year. Also in the news: A GOP proposal to take student loan payments straight from your paycheck, why you might not have to pay that medical bill, and the biggest financial mistake women make.

Here’s What Homeowners Must Remember at Tax Time This Year
Learning the new tax rules.

A GOP proposal could snatch your student loan payment right from your paycheck
This could get ugly.

You Might Not Have to Pay That Medical Bill
Get ready to spend some time on the phone.

The biggest financial mistake women make? Not investing enough.
Deepening the wage gap.