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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

September 17, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Are Medicare Advantage plans worth the risk? Also in the news: 4 ways women can invest in other women, 4 market headwinds facing first-time buyers, and 9 million Americans will get letters about missing stimulus checks.

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Worth the Risk?
Medicare Advantage plans offer extra coverage, usually at no cost, but you may pay more if you get sick.

4 Ways Women Can Invest in Other Women
Intentional investing can allow you to support women with your investment dollars.

4 Market Headwinds Facing First-Time Buyers
To find success in a housing market buffeted by the pandemic, buyers must be persistent, patient and preapproved.

9 million Americans will get letters about missing stimulus checks
Here’s where those notices are going.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: first-time home buyers, Medicare Advantage plans, missing stimulus checks, women and investing

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

September 16, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Your credit history opens doors – here’s how to build it. Also in the news: what happens to your debt if your school closes for good, and exit strategies for young adults forced home during COVID-19.

Your Credit History Opens Doors — Here’s How to Build It
About 13% of Americans in a survey said that they don’t have a credit history, and some don’t know how to get started.

If Your College Closes for Good, What Happens to Your Debt?
You have two options.

Is That Nearly New Salvage-Title Car Really a Deal?
A few dealers now specialize in professionally rebuilt salvage-title vehicles. The risks remain, though.

Exit Strategies for Young Adults Forced Home During COVID-19
How to make the Great Escape.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: college closures, COVID-19, Credit, Credit History, salvage title car, student debt, young adults living at home

Are Medicare Advantage plans worth the risk?

September 16, 2020 By Liz Weston

About 1 in 3 people 65 and older in the U.S. enroll in Medicare Advantage, the private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare. It’s not hard to see why: Medicare Advantage plans often cover stuff that Medicare doesn’t, and most people don’t pay extra for it.

But Medicare Advantage can be more expensive if you get sick because copays and other costs can be higher, says Katy Votava, president of Goodcare.com, a health care consultant for financial advisors and consumers.

Unhappy customers who want to switch back to traditional Medicare may find they no longer qualify for the supplemental policies to help pay their medical bills, or that they would face prohibitively high premiums.

“These are complicated products,” says Votava, author of “Making the Most of Medicare.” “They’re like nothing else, no other insurance that people encounter anywhere until they get to Medicare.”

In my latest for the Associated Press, making sense of the Medicare alphabet soup.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Medicare, Medicare Advantage

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

September 15, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: For lower-credit homeowners, refinancing is harder, but not hopeless. Also in the news: 4 home insurance pitfalls to avoid during hurricane season, survey finds majority of parents want personal finance taught in high schools, and how to decide between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage.

For Lower-Credit Homeowners, Refinancing Is Harder, but Not Hopeless
With lenders raising minimum qualifications, homeowners with scores below 700 may struggle to refinance.

4 Home Insurance Pitfalls to Avoid During Hurricane Season
Do not skip flood insurance.

Survey finds majority of parents want personal finance taught in high schools
Starting off on the right foot.

How to Decide Between a 15-Year and 30-Year Mortgage
The pros and cons of both.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 15-year mortgage vs 30-year mortgage, home insurance, hurricane season, mortgage refinancing, person finance classes

Monday’s need-to-know money news

September 14, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Should I pay for my hotel using cash, points or both? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on fake reviews and saving too much, 5 travel writers draft their favorite airlines, and where to get relief if there isn’t a second stimulus check.

Should I Pay for My Hotel Using Cash, Points or Both?
Here’s how you can figure out which booking option offers the best value.

Smart Money Podcast: Fake Reviews and Saving ‘Too Much’
How to tell if that review is sincere.

5 Travel Writers ‘Draft’ Their Favorite Airlines
In the spirit of the popular sports-related pastime, we’ve created our own fantasy airline draft.

Where to Get Relief if There Isn’t a Second Stimulus Check
Look for aid locally.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airline draft, cash, fake reviews, points, rewards, Savings, SmartMoney podcast, stimulus, travel

Friday’s need-to-know money news

September 11, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What Biden on Trump could do for your student loans. Also in the news: Is moving now your best financial pros and cons, how to get a personal loan without perfect credit, and what to do when you can’t afford food.

What Biden or Trump Could Do for Your Student Loans
The pandemic plays a part.

Is Moving Now Your Best Financial Move?
Weighing the pros and cons.

You Don’t Need Perfect Credit to Get a Personal Loan
Bad-credit borrowers may have to take extra steps to get a loan. Start by fixing any errors on your credit report.

What to Do When You Can’t Afford Food
Millions of families are struggling.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Biden, election 2020, food insecurity, food pantries, Personal Loans, relocating, Student Loans, Trump

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