Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 things to ask before opening an account at a neobank. Also in the news: Don’t go broke attending weddings, the questions you’ll be asked when applying for a credit card, and 13 places you can legally stream TV for free.

5 Things to Ask Before Opening an Account at a Neobank
Neobanks like Chime have accounts with appealing perks and low costs, but they have limits.

Please Don’t Go Broke Attending Weddings
One little postcard or email can also pack loads of pricey pressure.

How to Apply for a Credit Card: Questions You’ll Be Asked
Applying for a credit card isn’t hard, but it helps to know in advance what information you’ll need.

13 Places You Can Legally Stream TV Shows for Free
Budget-friendly entertainment.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to know when it’s time to ditch your starter credit card. Also in the news: How to cover yourself against car theft, tips on paying for your wedding, and how to make a budget if you want to freelance full time.

How to Know When It’s Time to Ditch a Starter Credit Card
Don’t get too comfortable with your first card — once it’s done its job, it’s time to move on.

Car Theft Is Up in the U.S.: Here’s How to Cover Yourself
With the right kind of insurance, you could avoid paying out of pocket if your car or catalytic converter is stolen.

Weddings Are Marching Back: Here’s How to Pay for Yours
It’s best to pay for a wedding with savings, but if you need to finance, look for low-interest options with affordable payments.

How to Make a Budget If You Want to Freelance Full Time
Turning side hustles into main hustles.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Hotels turn to elopement package to attract those planning weddings. Also in the news: Ideas for paying off credit card debt, how the pandemic has changed Americans’ financial thinking, and how President Biden’s executive orders will affect your debt.

Hotels Turn to Elopement Packages to Attract Those Planning Weddings
These deals can save you money on your wedding, and earn you points — as long as you keep the guest list small.

Ideas for paying off credit card debt
Tackling your debt in the new year.

‘Financial security is fun now.’ Many Americans want to keep saving more and spending less
A pandemic shift to a simpler financial life—how you can do it, too

How Will Biden’s Executive Orders Affect Your Debt?
Another extension on student loan payments.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: SmartMoney Podcast – Coronavirus and your portfolio. Also in the news: How to suspend or cancel car insurance temporarily, what to do when the Coronavirus crisis delays your wedding day, and Coronavirus food delivery options and how your credit card can help.

SmartMoney Podcast: Coronavirus and Your Portfolio
Managing the toll on your investments.

How to Suspend or Cancel Car Insurance Temporarily
Don’t pay for a car you’re not using.

What to Do When the Coronavirus Crisis Delays Your Wedding Day
Working with vendors and tips on paring back.

COVID-19: Food Delivery Options and How Your Credit Card Can Help
No-contact deliveries and savings on fees.

Q&A: Here’s a big mistake to avoid when planning your wedding

Dear Liz: Would you advise taking money out of your 401(k) for your wedding if you’re getting a lump sum of money within the same year and can pay the full amount back?

Answer: How about postponing the wedding until you can pay for it in cash?

That would be so much better than starting your life together “betting on the come” — in gambling parlance, counting on cards that haven’t yet been dealt into your hand. There are so many ways that can go wrong and only a few where it can go right.

The most obvious risk in borrowing from your 401(k) is that you will lose your job and won’t be able to pay back the money before the balance is deemed a withdrawal, incurring taxes and penalties. Plus, you can’t put the money back, so you’ve lost all the future tax-deferred compounding those savings could have earned.

You’re also setting a seriously bad precedent for your marriage when you borrow money for a luxury, which is what a wedding is. (You also might want to read the Emory University study that found the duration of a marriage was inversely proportional to how much was spent on the engagement ring and wedding. The more spent, in other words, the shorter the marriage.)

It’s easy to get in the habit of borrowing rather than making hard choices or having hard discussions. But a good marriage, and sound finances, requires plenty of both. Give yourselves the gift of a wedding you can afford, when you can afford it.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to know before saying yes to an online wedding dress. Also in the news: Using your tax return to map out a better financial future, 8 ways to get cheap movie tickets, and how to take advantage of financial technology.

What to Know Before Saying ‘Yes’ to an Online Wedding Dress
There are bargains to be had but proceed with caution.

Use Your Tax Return to Map Out a Better Financial Future
Look for weak spots that could use improvement.

8 Ways to Get Cheap Movie Tickets
A great way to cool off this summer.

How to Take Advantage of Financial Technology
Apps to help make handling money easier.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 air-travel headaches and how to head them off. Also in the news: 5 survival strategies for camping on a budget, 5 steps to officiating at a friend’s wedding, and what 20-somethings need to know about getting their financial lives in order.

7 Air-Travel Headaches and How to Head Them Off
Leave the headaches at home.

5 Survival Strategies for Camping on a Budget
Skip the “glamping.”

5 Steps to Officiating at a Friend’s Wedding
You don’t have to be a professional.

What 20-Somethings Need to Know About Getting Their Financial Lives in Order
Prioritizing is key.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 great ways to invest your tax refund. Also in the news: How to say no to being a bridesmaid, when to upgrade at the gas pump, and how to decode your financial aid letters.

5 Great Ways to Invest Your Tax Refund
The best ways to put your windfall to good use.

Ask Brianna: How to Say No to Being a Bridesmaid
While keeping your friendship intact.

Premium and ‘Top Tier’ Gas: When to Upgrade at the Pump
When the higher octane is necessary.

How to Decode Your Financial Aid Letters
Deciphering your offers.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: It’s tax scam season. Here’s when to call shenanigans. Also in the news: Starting with a budget when planning a wedding, how to find good, cheap stocks, and a major data breach at the Marine Forces Reserve.

Planning a Wedding? Start With the Budget
Setting reasonable expectations.

It’s Tax Scam Season. Here’s When to Call Shenanigans
Pay close attention.

4 Steps to Finding Good, Cheap Stocks
Tips for beginners.

Major data breach at Marine Forces Reserve impacts thousands
Social Security numbers, banks transfers and other personal info has been leaked.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The best cities for recent college graduates. Also in the news: Why paying bills is a grind for almost half of Americans, how to trim expensive wedding frills without cutting guests’ fun, and everything you wanted to know about your credit report but were afraid to ask.

Best Cities for Recent College Grads
Starting someplace new.

Paying Bills Is a Grind for 43% of Americans, CFPB Finds
Living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Trim Expensive Wedding Frills Without Cutting Guests’ Fun
Concentrating on the important things.

Everything you wanted to know about your credit report — but were afraid to ask
No dumb questions.