Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

Liz Weston

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Coronavirus prompts a welcome change to a holiday travel dilemma. Also in the news: Picking a pandemic side gig takes hustle, is it finally time to buy an electric car, and the ten best financial rules of thumb.

Coronavirus Prompts a Welcome Change to a Holiday Travel Dilemma
You now have a legitimate excuse not to stay with family for the holidays and book a hotel room instead.

Picking a Pandemic Side Gig Takes Hustle
Consider what you’re comfortable doing.

Is It Finally Time to Get an Electric Car?
More electric vehicles are now available, but make sure an EV fits your lifestyle before you buy or lease one.

The 10 Best Financial Rules of Thumb
A good starting point.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How losing Obamacare could cost you. Also in the news: Understanding Medicare prescription drug plans, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on remote work burnout and saving for college, and the pros and cons of paying your student loans with a credit card.

How Losing Obamacare Could Cost You
If the Supreme Court tosses out the Affordable Care Act, it could dramatically affect your finances and choices.

Understanding Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare can help you pay for prescription drugs in two ways.

Smart Money Podcast: Remote Work Burnout and Saving for College
How to handle Zoom fatigue.

Can You Pay Your Student Loans With a Credit Card?
Yes. But should you?

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 7 Halloween headaches and how insurance can help. Also in the news: Your battle plan for buying a home with a VA loan, what college and student debt changes are likely after the election, and the best credit card for food delivery apps.

7 Halloween Headaches and How Insurance Can Help
What to do when you get tricked.

Your Battle Plan for Buying a Home With a VA Loan
Choose experienced professionals to guide you through the VA loan process, and bring some cash to the table, even if you don’t plan to make a down payment.

Trump vs. Biden: What College and Student Debt Changes Are Likely
What to expect from both candidates.

The Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Apps
Finding tasty discounts.

Stop counting other people’s money

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Your neighbor pulls up in a sweet new ride. Your co-worker announces she’s taking yet another trip abroad. Your best friend upgrades to a bigger house in a better area of town.

You’re pretty sure these people don’t make a lot more than you do.

So how are they able to spend that kind of money?

Maybe they’re up to their ears in debt, or they’re trust fund babies, or they’ll never be able to retire. Or maybe they’ve figured out the secret to money, which is: You can have anything you want. You just can’t have everything.

The new car, that house and that exotic trip are the shiny end results of a series of decisions hidden below the surface. In my latest for the Associated Press, why things aren’t always as they seem.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 credit mistakes that can haunt you. Also in the news: The benefits of a renovation refinance, 7 times you might want to product-change a credit card, and why you should name a guardian for your kids right away.

5 Credit Mistakes That Can Haunt You
Some mistakes are much worse than others.

Looking to Fund a Remodel? Consider a Renovation Refinance
Paying for home improvements with a renovation refinance loan has certain advantages — including a potentially lower interest rate.

7 Times You Might Want to Product-Change a Credit Card
Swapping your card, instead of closing it and opening a new one, can help you avoid an annual fee and hard inquiry.

Why You Should Name a Guardian for Your Kids Right Away
Life is unpredictable.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Travel insurance options for digital nomads. Also in the news: What to do if you’ve been denied student loan refinancing, a new set of shopping tips in the pandemic, and what really happens when you file bankruptcy.

Travel Insurance Options for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads might travel for extended periods of time, so their needs are different than the average traveler.

Denied for Student Loan Refinancing? What to Do Next

A New Set of Shopping Tips in the Pandemic
Keeping yourself safe.

What Really Happens When You File for Bankruptcy
A look at each type of bankruptcy.