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Liz Weston

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Life and money lessons from the pandemic. Also in the news: Life insurance shoppers lose interest when COVID-19 cases drop, how to save the holidays, and how to spend your extra FSA money.

Life and Money Lessons From the Pandemic
We’ve taken stock of procrastination’s costs, embraced virtual work and play, and are growing our emergency funds.

Life Insurance Shoppers Lose Interest When COVID-19 Cases Drop
Some Americans say they skipped life insurance as cases fell in their area, a survey finds — but the need may still exist.

How to Save the Holidays: More Joy, Less Cash
If your gift list exceeds your budget, try these tips for discounts, rewards, cash back, creativity and delight.

How to Spend Your Extra FSA Money
You have more spending options.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 4 DIY home improvement projects to avoid. Also in the news: How to make use of the points and miles from a deceased family member, 10 tips for winter RV road trips, and how to make money by putting ads on your car.

4 DIY Home Improvement Projects to Avoid
For these tasks, you’ll want to hire a professional to make sure everything’s done safely and correctly.

How to Make Use of the Points and Miles From a Deceased Family Member’s Account
You might be able to transfer or use the points that your relative has left behind.

10 Tips for Winter RV Road Trips
This is the advice you need for taking an RV out on a road trip with snow in the forecast.

Make Money by Putting Ads on Your Car
No, really.

Life and money lessons from the pandemic

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I’m a “be prepared” kind of person. I like having money in the bank and a good stock of emergency supplies.

But I wasn’t prepared to see empty shelves at the supermarket, or thousands of cars lined up at a Texas food bank, or nurses dressed in garbage bags because there wasn’t enough protective equipment.

The pandemic showed me that being personally prepared isn’t enough. Our communities need to be better prepared, as well.

That lesson may seem obvious in retrospect — many lessons are. But the revelation made me curious about what other people have learned from this year. In my latest for the Associated Press, four of my buddies in the personal finance realm agreed to share what the pandemic has taught them about money and life.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Read this before you refinance your federal student loans. Also in the news: COVID-19 accelerates no-exam trend in life insurance, low-cost ways small businesses can help employees save more, and what’s up with the latest COVID relief bill.

Read This Before You Refinance Federal Student Loans
Even with low rates, refinancing isn’t right for everyone.

COVID-19 Accelerates No-Exam Trend in Life Insurance
Staying away from the exam room.

Here are some easy, low-cost ways small businesses can help employees save more
Technology and competition have made workplace savings plans more accessible in recent years

What’s Up With the Latest COVID Relief Bill?
Things continue to move slowly.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Federal borrowers get to skip another student loan payment. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the financial lessons of the pandemic, how to recover after being denied a mortgage, and how to financially plan for having kids.

Federal Borrowers Get to Skip Another Student Loan Payment
New deadline of January 31st.

Smart Money Podcast: Pandemic Money Lessons, and Saving for a Down Payment
What we can take away from the pandemic.

Mortgage Denied? Here’s How to Recover
Determine the reason for denial — such as lack of credit history or a high debt-to-income ratio — then address it before reapplying.

How to Financially Plan for Having Kids
It’s going to be a long haul.