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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

November 10, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to turn unused credit card rewards into holiday gifts. Also in the news: Can college students booted for breaking COVID-19 rules get refunds, when to book your holiday travel, and how to get help from a food pantry.

How to Turn Unused Credit Card Rewards Into Holiday Gifts
You may be able to use rewards or credits to cover food, charitable donations, streaming services, exercise programs and more.

Can College Students Booted for Breaking COVID-19 Rules Get Refunds?
Be prepared for consequences, like suspension and lost financial aid, if you break your school’s COVID-19 rules.

Should You Book Holiday Travel Now or Later?
Booking your holiday travel early comes with more flexibility now than in past years.

How to Get Help From a Food Pantry
There’s no shame in needing help, especially right now.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college students, COVID-19, credit card rewards, food pantries, holiday travel, refunds

Monday’s need-to-know money news

November 9, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to get your parent off the hook for your student loans. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on open enrollment and HSA vs. HFA, getting a side gig while on unemployment, and 5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020

How to Get Your Parent Off the Hook for Your Student Loans
Refinancing and co-signer release can get a parent’s name off of student loans.

Smart Money Podcast: Open Enrollment and HSA vs. FSA
Open enrollment is underway.

Can You Get a Side Gig While on Unemployment?
Depends on state law.

5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020
Preparing for the new year.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: financial planning strategies, HSA v. FSA, open enrollment, side gigs, Smart Money podcast, Student Loans, unemployment

Friday’s need-to-know money news

November 6, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The upsides to thinking about when you will die. Also in the news: The upside to ETFs, how debt collectors are invading social media, and 6 financial military benefits for service members and veterans.

The Upsides to Thinking About When You Will Die
A good life expectancy estimate helps you know how much to save, when to retire and when to start Social Security.

Sure, Stocks Are Fun. But ETFs Are Smart
Diversify.

Debt Collectors Can Find You on Social Media Now
Debt collectors are sliding into your DMs.

6 Financial Military Benefits for Service Members and Veterans
Military members and their families have access to special benefits, and new rules make these programs even more valuable.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: benefits, debt collectors, ETFs, life expectancy, military, social media, veterans

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

November 5, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Which airline brands have the best and worst fees. Also in the news: How to get preapproved for a credit card, which hotel brands have the best and worst fees, and why you should never quit your job without a plan.

Airline Fee Rankings: Which Brands Have the Best (and Worst) Fees?
Some airlines sneak in extra charges for baggage and seat selection that can bust your travel budget.

Can I Get Preapproved for a Credit Card?
Preapproval is less common than pre-qualification, which is not a guarantee that you won’t be rejected.

Hotel Fee Rankings: Which Brands Have the Best (and Worst) Fees?
Resort fees, parking charges and pet deposits can really add to your room cost at some hotels.

Don’t Quit Your Job Without a Plan
Resist the impulse.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airline fees, credit card preapproval, hotel fees, jobs, tips

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

November 4, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Don’t skip these steps when borrowing parent student loans. Also in then news: How to build a home office without breaking the bank, medical student borrowing slows, and the easiest way to lower the interest rate on your credit card.

Don’t Skip These Steps When Borrowing Parent Student Loans
Assess your financial situation and talk openly with your child before borrowing parent student loans.

How to Build a Home Office Without Breaking the Bank
Decide where you’ll invest to make a home office that’s comfortable and productive, as well as affordable.

Med Student Borrowing Slows, but Debt Still an Issue
In the class of 2019, 73% of medical students took out loans; their median debt was $200,000.

The Easiest Way to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Get ready to spend some time on the phone.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, home office, interest rates, medical student loans, parent student loans, tips

The upsides to thinking about when you will die

November 3, 2020 By Liz Weston

Social Security’s life expectancy calculator predicts I’ll live to about 86. An insurance company’s version says I should expect to die at 98. A longevity calculator created by actuaries demurs, putting the odds at only 32% that I’ll make it to 95.

Eventually, I’ll find out which life expectancy calculator was most accurate. In the meantime, the different results help illustrate one of the most important and difficult calculations in retirement planning: figuring out when it will end.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why life expectancy matters.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: life expectancy, retirement planning

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