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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How shopping small makes a big impact in your community. Also in the news: How Biden’s capital gains tax hike could affect you, 5 key credit card strategies for international travelers, and why fake travel sites are fooling more people.

How Shopping Small Makes a Big Impact in Your Community
Invest in your community.

Would Biden’s Capital Gains Tax Hike Affect You? Probably Not
The average retirement saver should carry on as usual, since capital gains taxes typically don’t apply to investments like 401(k)s.

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.

Why Fake Travel Sites Are Fooling More People
Don’t get duped.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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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.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 key credit card strategies for international travelers. Also in the news: How an iBuyer helps gets the timing right, missing the boat on SPACs, and how to plan for your student loan payments to resume this October.

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 Property Line: How an iBuyer Helps Get the Timing Right
iBuyers let you make a non-contingent offer, set a flexible closing date and give you the power to buy with cash.

Miss the Boat on SPACs? It May Be for the Better
The SPAC party may be over, but if you missed it, you likely didn’t miss much.

How to Plan for Your Student Loan Payments to Resume This October
Only a few months left.

How to Line Up Rent Aid — and a Backup Plan

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Congress has appropriated more than $46 billion in emergency assistance to help cover back rent and utilities owed by struggling renters. But getting a share of that money isn’t automatic or guaranteed.

Not everyone who’s behind on their rent qualifies for help. In addition, some states and cities require more paperwork than others, which can make accessing the funds more difficult. Also, landlords and tenants typically must work together to apply for the aid, and some landlords are refusing to help.

For now, most renters are protected by various eviction bans — at national, state and sometimes local levels — but someday those will end. In the meantime, owing your landlord can lead to credit damage, collections calls and lawsuits. If you’re behind on your rent, you’d be smart to start exploring your options for dealing with this debt.

In my latest for Nerdwallet, how to work through the rent aid process and create a backup plan.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to line up rent aid and a backup plan. Also in the news: Changing the face of the cannabis industry, why you should check your Medicare coverage before traveling again, and when to expect your delayed IRS refund.

How to Line Up Rent Aid — and a Backup Plan
If you owe rent debt, apply for assistance programs but also open talks with your landlord before eviction bans end.

Changing the Face of the Cannabis Industry
The majority of states now have some form of legalized cannabis, whether for medical or recreational use.

Check Your Medicare Coverage Before Traveling Again
Medicare doesn’t cover you everywhere. Make sure you understand where and when you’re insured.

When To Expect Your Delayed IRS Refund
Things are backed up at the IRS.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do with extra money? Also in the morning: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on air travel and collection accounts on credit reports, 6 reasons not to skip renters insurance, and how not to sabotage your savings with self-care.

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

Smart Money Podcast: Air Travel and Collections Accounts on Credit Reports
Time to get back in the skies?

6 Reasons Not to Skip Renters Insurance
Renters insurance covers more than just the stuff in your apartment.

Don’t Let Self-Care Sabotage Your Savings
Self-care doesn’t have to punish your bank account.