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Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 8½ birthdays that can affect your finances. Also in the news: How to navigate the costs of starting your van life, how to befriend your money and reap the benefits, and how long something stays on your credit report.

8 ½ birthdays that can affect your finances
Mark your calendars.

How to Navigate the Costs of Starting Your Van Life
Turning a vehicle into a home requires research and often a big budget. Here are some tips for getting started.

Befriend Your Money and Reap the Benefits
Looking at your money as a friend.

How Long Does Something Stay on Your Credit Report?
Most credit activity stays on your report for seven years.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How 3 entrepreneurs overcame credit struggles. Also in the news: 4 best ways to redeem your choice privileges points, Medicare and hospice, and how to spot a predatory lender.

These 3 Entrepreneurs Overcame Credit Struggles; Here’s Their Advice
Credit unions, credit counseling and even credit cards helped — but so did their resolve to ask questions and put in the hard work.

4 Best Ways to Redeem Your Choice Privileges Points
These sweet spots don’t cost a lot of Choice Privileges points, even in pricey destinations like New York or Tokyo.

Does Medicare Cover Hospice?
The answer is yes, but you must qualify and use a Medicare-approved hospice provider.

How to Spot a Predatory Lender
If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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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.

8 ½ birthdays that can affect your finances

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You hit a lot of milestone birthdays when you’re young. There’s your first birthday, of course, and also the one where you turn 10 (finally, double digits!). At 13, you’re a teenager. At 16, you’re probably thinking about driving. At 18, you can vote; at 21, you can get into bars.

You hit a bunch of milestones later in life as well, and many of them have to do with retirement. Knowing these age milestones can help you better prepare for life after work. In my latest for the Associated Press, see how close you are to one of these milestones.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do when you can’t open a bank account. Also in the news: 6 tips to streamline insurance payments on home damage claims, college-bound grads could exit with $38K in student loan debt, and how to build your business credit score.

What to Do When You Can’t Open a Bank Account
A bank or credit union could deny an account application.

6 Tips to Streamline Insurance Payment on Home Damage Claims
Reporting the damage to the insurance company in a timely fashion can put more money in your pocket faster.

College-Bound Grads Could Exit With $38K Student Loan Debt
There are a number of ways to cut down on the amount borrowed for a bachelor’s degree before, during and after college.

How to Build Your Business Credit Score, and Why It Matters
What you need to know about establishing your business credit score and how to improve it.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How you can recover from a bounced check. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on pet scams and buying different home types, the mortgage outlook for May, and how to find out if you qualify for a monthly broadband subsidy.

How You Can Recover From a Bounced Check
If you’ve bounced a check, ask your bank if it can waive any fees you’ve incurred, and get overdraft protection.

Smart Money podcast: Pet Scams and Buying Different Home Types
Common scams people fall victim to and how to avoid them.

Mortgage Outlook: May Rates Are Just Waiting on a Trend
How April rates flipped the script.

Do You Qualify For a $50 Monthly Broadband Subsidy?
Millions without broadband now qualify.