Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 common objections to buying an electric car, debunked. Also in the news: How to Avoid Long Lines at Rental Car Counters, Financial Therapists Say to Disrupt Debt Cycle, Look at Your Money Beliefs, and 10 Easy Tricks for Saving Money on Travel.

5 Common Objections to Buying an Electric Car, Debunked
Many consumers are still hesitant to buy EVs, despite rapid improvements to charging ranges, selection and price.

How to Avoid Long Lines at Rental Car Counters
With so many ways to jump the line, there’s no need to get stuck waiting at the rental car counter.

Financial Therapists Say to Disrupt Debt Cycle, Look at Your Money Beliefs
If you find yourself in a cycle of debt, you may need to address the root cause. These tips from financial therapists can help.

10 Easy Tricks for Saving Money on Travel
Travel is expensive, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to be a 5-Star traveler this holiday season. Also in the news: How to plan holiday travel if your kids aren’t fully vaccinated yet, President Bideb acts to ease gas prices, and how to avoid the line at the airport bag check counter.

How to Be a 5-Star Traveler This Holiday Season
Our travel expert shares tips to be a courteous and less-stressed traveler during the busy travel season.

How To Plan Holiday Travel if Your Kids Aren’t Yet Fully Vaccinated
Traveling with unvaccinated children is a matter of your own comfort level, but there are precautions you can take.

Biden Acts to Ease Gas Prices, But You Can Save Money Now
President Joe Biden is working to bring down gas prices, but drivers can take steps to reduce their fuel bill now.

How to Avoid the Line at the Airport Bag Check Counter
Hold airline elite status, purchase an upgrade or pack light to cut down on waits at bag check.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to prepare for holiday crowds and chaos at airports. Also in the news: 9 ways to travel more safely, what you need to know about Medigap Plan N, and how to squeeze another 20K miles out of your current car.

How to Prepare for Holiday Crowds and Chaos at Airports
Get some relief from the brunt of holiday travel by having your memberships, status and luggage in order.

9 Ways To Travel More Safely
Whether you’re traveling within the U.S. or to a foreign country, you can take extra precautions to stay safe.

What Is Medigap Plan N? What You Need to Know
Medigap Plan N, a type of Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a good option if you don’t visit the doctor frequently.

Squeeze Another 20K Miles Out of Your Current Car
High demand and low inventory have increased new car costs. Save money by getting 20K more miles out of your current car.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How a mortgage nerd bought a house in a seller’s market. Also in the news: Why you should consider a second city trip in 2021, what changed while you were ignoring travel, and why travel is more expensive this summer.

How a Mortgage Nerd Bought a House in a Seller’s Market
Buying a house was super-hard, and I write about homebuying for a living. If you’re wondering how to pull it off, you’re not alone. Here’s what I did.

Why You Should Consider a ‘Second City’ Trip in 2021
Travelers are less interested in visiting big cities this summer. Here are some good alternatives.

What Changed While You Were Ignoring Travel?
Catch up on what happened in the travel industry while you were staying home.

7 Reasons Travel Is More Expensive This Summer
A look at the prices.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What COVID-Era travel changes are likely here to stay? Also in the news: How to travel cheaply and safely this summer, 5 key credit card strategies for international travel, and the best no-fee credit card welcome bonuses right now.

What COVID-Era Travel Changes Are Likely Here to Stay?
The pandemic has changed the standards for working on the road and cleanliness on airplanes.

How to Travel Safely and Cheaply This Summer
Continue to follow CDC guidelines for travel, but book sooner than later to save money for summer trips.

5 Key Credit Card Strategies for International Travelers
People who spend a lot of time abroad should look for travel credit cards with international perks and partners.

The Best No-Fee Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Right Now
You don’t need to pay a big annual fee to get a bonus.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Scaling back spending yields unexpected benefits. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on charitable donations and new baby expenses, a travel expert shares his tips for traveling during a pandemic, and who needs to request a Coronavirus relief payment before October 15th.

Scaling Back Spending Yields Unexpected Benefits
Look for the silver lining.

SmartMoney Podcast: Make Your Donations Go Further; Plan for New Baby Expenses
Giving strategically.

Ask a Points Nerd: How Can I Travel This Summer?
An expert shares his tips after traveling up the West Coast.

Here’s Who Needs to Request a Coronavirus Relief Payment Before October 15
See if you’re on the list.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to take charge of your credit this year. Also in the news: Several Chase cards will earn more rewards of Lyft rides, 6 inspired ideas for traveling smarter this year, and how much you need to save every month to earn $50K a year in interest for retirement.

How to Take Charge of Your Credit This Year
Take a crash course in credit.

Several Chase Cards Will Earn More Rewards on Lyft Rides
A boost for rideshare customers.

6 inspired ideas for traveling smarter this year
Rethinking old travel habits.

How much you need to save every month to earn $50,000 a year in interest alone for retirement
Crunching the numbers.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do when your first student loan payment is due. Also in the news: Van life reality check – 7 questions to shape your travels, why you should stop hoarding your credit card points and travel rewards, and how to spend less when you’re moving on short notice.

What to Do When Your First Student Loan Payment Is Due
Take a deep breath.

Van Life Reality Check: 7 Questions to Shape Your Travels
Do you really want to spend a week in the back of a van?

Why you should stop hoarding your credit card points and travel rewards
They depreciate in value.

How to Spend Less When You’re Moving on Short Notice
Asking for help is key.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid ‘Subscription Creep.’ Also in the news: cost-cutting travel tips to bring together faraway friends, 5 ways bad credit can you keep you from being a functional adult, and how to know when index funds aren’t a good deal.

How to Stem ‘Subscription Creep’
Subscriptions are adding up.

Cost-Cutting Travel Tips to Bring Together Faraway Friends
Planning a great vacation with costs in mind.

5 ways bad credit can keep you from being a functional adult
You’ll have a harder time borrowing.

How to Know When Index Funds Aren’t a Good Deal
Not every fund is created equal.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 tax tips for new college grads. Also in the news: Why many people don’t know the cost of bad credit, how to travel on the cheap, and the death of payday loans.

7 Tax Tips for New College Grads
It’s a whole new tax world.

How Costly Is Bad Credit? Many Don’t Know, Survey Shows
A look at just how expensive bad credit can be.

To Travel Cheap, Steer Clear of These Booking Flubs
Don’t make these mistakes.

Payday loans are dying. Problem solved? Not quite
The slow death of payday lending.