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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How LGBTQ+ Americans can overcome barriers to building credit. Also in the news: How to protect your vacation budget, the pros and cons of “Travel now, Pay later,” and 58% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck after inflation spike.

How LGBTQ+ Americans Can Overcome Barriers to Building Credit
LGBTQ+ people report lower than average credit scores. Here’s why that is a problem and steps to overcome.

Your Vacation Budget Is Still at Risk — Here’s How to Protect It
The travel landscape is improving, but having a plan for cancellation remains a wise move amid ongoing uncertainty.

Should You Use Buy Now, Pay Later Services for Travel?
Buy Now, Pay Later services may come with hidden fees, so you should only use them for necessary travel expenses.

58% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck after inflation spike — including 30% of those earning $250,000 or more
Even top earners say they are stretched thin, the report found.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 4 items for your midyear money checklist. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on small business and inflation, a potential student trap, and store loyalty programs worth signing up for.

4 Items for Your Midyear Money Checklist
Review your expenses, deal with debt, plan for holiday shopping and sort out taxes and benefits.

Smart Money Podcast: Small-Business Inflation, and Sign-Up Bonuses
This week’s episode starts with a discussion with NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter about the impact of inflation on small-business owners.

Is ‘Learn Now, Pay Later’ Just Another Student Debt Trap?

These Free Store Loyalty Programs Are Actually Worth Signing Up For
If you’re going to shop at these places anyway, you might as well get your money’s worth.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Is medical debt disappearing from your credit report? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on tackling the racial wealth gap, using the 25-year-rule to buy a cool, cheap are, and how to check if your new circuit breaker is part of a serious recall.

Is Medical Debt Disappearing From Your Credit Report?
Health care bills are about to become far less threatening to the financial well-being of millions of Americans.

Smart Money Podcast: Taking On the Racial Wealth Gap
This week’s episode is dedicated to a conversation with journalist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. We discuss her series about how to solve the racial wealth gap.

Use the 25-Year Rule to Buy a Cool, Cheap Car
Tiny ’90s-era Japanese imports are having a moment. Here’s what you need to know.

Check If Your New Circuit Breaker Is Part of This Serious Recall
Approximately 1.4 million electric panels are included in the recall.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to afford summer road trips amid high gas prices. Also in the news: A Travel Nerd on what the strong dollar means for summer travel, saving at summer music festivals, and how a business can move towards pay equity.

How to Afford Summer Road Trips Amid High Gas Prices
Travelers can save on road trips by traveling through regions with low-cost gas and by renting electric vehicles.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What Does the Strong Dollar Mean for Summer Travel?
Amid the anxiety of inflation, U.S. travelers can take comfort that their dollar will go further abroad.

Fine-Tune Your Music Festival Budget and Save
Music festivals can be pricey. Here’s how to see your favorite artists without breaking the bank.

How a Business Can Move Toward Pay Equity
Beyond avoiding litigation and reputation damage, pay equity is about fairly compensating workers for their experience and skills.

Is medical debt vanishing from credit reports?

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Health care bills are about to become far less threatening to the financial well-being of millions of Americans.

The three major credit bureaus are erasing most medical debts from people’s credit reports, and the Biden administration is reducing or eliminating medical debt as a factor in government lending decisions.

In my latest for the Associated Press, what you need to know about medical debt now.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 7 things Medicare doesn’t cover. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the cost of eggs, where small businesses are feeling inflation most, and the No. 1 hotel amenity people love might surprise you.

7 Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover
From dental cleanings to overseas health care, here’s what you’ll have to cover on your own.

Smart Money Podcast: What’s Up With Eggs, and Home Improvement Projects
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about eggs — why they’re so expensive right now and how you can adjust your shopping habits.

Here’s Where Small Businesses Are Feeling Inflation Most
Consumers aren’t the only ones with rising prices. Small businesses are battling inflation and supply chain delays.

The No. 1 Hotel Amenity People Love Might Surprise You
It seems everyone’s ready to kick back by the pool this summer.