Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Is medical debt disappearing from your credit report? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on tackling the racial wealth gap, using the 25-year-rule to buy a cool, cheap are, and how to check if your new circuit breaker is part of a serious recall.

Is Medical Debt Disappearing From Your Credit Report?
Health care bills are about to become far less threatening to the financial well-being of millions of Americans.

Smart Money Podcast: Taking On the Racial Wealth Gap
This week’s episode is dedicated to a conversation with journalist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. We discuss her series about how to solve the racial wealth gap.

Use the 25-Year Rule to Buy a Cool, Cheap Car
Tiny ’90s-era Japanese imports are having a moment. Here’s what you need to know.

Check If Your New Circuit Breaker Is Part of This Serious Recall
Approximately 1.4 million electric panels are included in the recall.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 ways your small business can spend smarter. Also in the news: How to pay for summer fun, interest rates on new federal student loans going up for 2022-23, and why you shouldn’t wait to sell your used car.

7 Ways Your Small Business Can Spend Smarter
Small-business owners detail the money lessons they’ve learned over the years and especially during the pandemic.

How to Pay for Summer Fun: Financing Boats, RVs and More
Before deciding to finance a summer toy, consider your budget, what financing options make the most sense and any related costs.

Interest Rates on New Federal Student Loans Going Up for 2022-23
Federal student loan interest rates will increase over 1 percentage point; the changes go into effect July 1.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Sell Your Used Car
Thanks to inflation, prices for used cars are through the roof—but they won’t be forever.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why many new cars are cheaper than used. Also in the news: Do this if you’ve already refinanced your student loans, how to find a COVID test to return to the United States, and how the student loan pause has played out for borrowers.

Why Many New Cars Are Cheaper Than Used
Due to the lack of new-car inventory, the average used car now costs more than a new one.

Do This if You’ve Already Refinanced Your Student Loans
Time to refinance again.

Ask a Travel Nerd: How Do I Find a COVID Test to Return to the U.S.?
You need a negative result within one day of your return flight to the U.S. Have a plan for getting tested.

How the Student Loan Pause Has Played Out for Borrowers
New data show many borrowers have used that extra room in the budget to shore up their overall finances.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to bounce back from an income drop. Also in the news: 5 tips for fostering a successful hybrid workplace, is the Fed to blame for high home prices, and why right now might be the best time to sell your car.

When Your Income Drops, Here’s How to Bounce Back
Recovering from an income drop depends on quickly cutting back expenses while also tackling the emotional stress.

5 Tips for Fostering a Successful Hybrid Workplace
Breaking old office habits and seeking employee input early and often can help create a successful hybrid workplace.

The Property Line: Blame the Fed for High Home Prices?
House prices are skyrocketing for multiple reasons. The Federal Reserve is just one piece of the puzzle.

Why Now Might Be the Best Time to Sell Your Car
Used cars have never been hotter.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Mortgage Outlook: A pre-election pause for October rates? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on the unequal employment recover and the case for used cars, many avoid bankruptcy out of fear, and how to opt out of pre-screened credit offers.

Mortgage Outlook: A Pre-Election Pause for October Rates?
Rates are standing still.

Smart Money Podcast: Unequal Employment Recovery, and the Case for Used Cars
Used cars are a no-brainer if you’re trying to save money.

Many avoid bankruptcy out of fear
People often wait too long to file, draining retirement accounts or other assets that would be protected

How to Opt Out of Pre-Screened Credit Offers
Reducing your junk mail.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When debt relief does more harm than good. Also in the news: New ways to get more money for your old car, back-to-school tips for avoiding child identity theft, and the top sacrifices made by ‘super savers’.

When Debt Relief Does More Harm Than Good
The behavior has to change, too.

New ways to get more for your old car.
Online buyers make offers in minutes — a safety net for car shoppers wondering what their trade-in is really worth.

Back-to-School Tips for Avoiding Child Identity Theft
Teaching your kids about internet security.

Here are the top sacrifices made by ‘super savers’
Increase your savings by following these tips.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Insurers turn to technology to woo drivers. Also in the news: Beemers, Benzes and other luxury used-car bargains, 7 tactics to help car-buying newbies bargain like a boss, and credit cards still charge interest after you die.

Insurers Turn to Technology to Woo Drivers
Gadgets that can keep your rates down.

Beemers, Benzes and Other Luxury Used-Car Bargains
Luxury for less.

7 Tactics to Help Car-Buying Newbies Bargain Like a Boss
Don’t let them see you sweat.

Credit Cards Still Charge Interest After You Die
Inescapable interest.

Q&A: More advice on how to find a reliable cheap car

Dear Liz: I have repaired my own vehicles all my life, and I wanted to add a bit to your response to the person in Chapter 13 bankruptcy who needs another car after paying $1,500 cash each for two junkers. You are correct that a $3,000 car is likely to be more reliable, but I would stress heavily that there are no guarantees on cars at that price range even if you have a mechanic check the vehicle.

My advice on getting a reliable cheap vehicle is to first identify what make and model vehicle you want, then spend several weeks on the model-specific forums on the Internet reading the Q&As. There are wide variations in even the same models of the same year. One might use an engine that has a serious defect, but others do not have that defect.

The mistake most used-car buyers make who are looking for a cheap car is to be too impatient. They go for the first thing that’s listed at their price range with no regard to what make and model it is. It is simply not possible to research the skeletons in the closet of unfamiliar models in the hour in between viewing the listing online then running out to see it. Figure out the model in advance, then be patient.

Answer: Thanks for offering your advice. Even people who have plenty of money often don’t spend enough time researching their options and wind up regretting a purchase or paying too much.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Stocks at a crossroads: 3 things to watch for in June. Also in the news: Why kids should stash summer job cash in a Roth IRA, millennials are stressed about their finances, and why now is the time to buy a used car.

Stocks at Crossroads: 3 Things to Watch for in June
Watching the market.

Why Kids Should Stash Summer Job Cash in a Roth IRA
It’s never too early to save for retirement.

Study: Millennials are stressing about their finances
Feeling worse off than their Baby Boomer parents.

Why Now Is the Time to Buy a Used Car
Getting the most for your money.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to find a good tax preparer. Also in the news: Excuses for delaying retirement savings, what the TCF bank suit means for you, and why used cars usually have higher interests rates.

How to Find a Good Tax Preparer (and Write Off the Bad Ones)
Finding good help during tax season.

Excuses, Excuses When Delaying Retirement Savings
No more excuses.

What TCF Bank Suit Means for You: Defend Against Overdraft Fees
What opting in really means.

Why Used Cars Usually Have Higher Interest Rates
Guarding against risk.