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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Using credit card points at checkout has become too easy. Also in the news: Why summer jobs are good for the teenage wallet, how to maximize your music festival savings, and how long it’ll really take you to save for a down payment.

Using Credit Card Points at Checkout Has Become Too Easy
Points may be worth less when redeemed this way. And be careful — you might even cash in points accidentally.

A Summer Job: Good for the Teenage Soul and Wallet
It’s been a rough couple of years, especially for teenagers.

Maximize your music festival savings
Summer music festivals can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but costs can easily blow a hole in any budget.

How Long It’ll Really Take You to Save for a Down Payment
It’s probably going to take a while in this market, but let’s crunch some numbers.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to afford your meds and support your health. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on reducing child care costs, what the S&P bear market means for you, and why you might want to hold off traveling until September.

How to Afford Your Meds and Support Your Health
The cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. can be enough to make you sick.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dive: How to Reduce Child Care Costs
This week’s episode is a Nerdy deep dive into the cost of child care.

What Does the S&P 500 Bear Market Mean for You?
As of market close Monday, June 13, the S&P 500 has officially entered a bear market.

Don’t Forget: Travel Prices Usually Fall in September
We know it’s tempting to get out traveling again, but waiting until fall could be a big money-saver.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Fed hoists key interest rate as mortgage rates reach new heights. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on recession prep, a quiz to cut your credit card costs, and how long it could take for business travel to return to normal.

Fed Hoists Key Interest Rate as Mortgage Rates Reach New Heights
Some 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates surpassed 6% even before the Federal Reserve’s 75-point increase to the federal funds rate.

Smart Money Podcast: Recession Prep, and Lightning Round Money Questions
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about how to prepare your finances for a recession.

Pass This Credit Card Quiz and Cut Your Costs
Put your credit card knowledge to the test. Knowing the correct answers could save you money.

How Long Until Business Travel Returns to Normal?
Business travel is down, big-time, with experts anticipating a slow return to 2019 levels.

How to afford your meds and support your health

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The cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. can be enough to make you sick.

What you pay varies enormously depending on the drug, the pharmacy, your insurance plan and your deductible, among many other factors. A drug that may have been cheap or at least affordable the last time you filled it could be far more expensive or not covered at all the next time.

Often, people have no idea what a prescription will cost until they get to the pharmacy counter, says Leigh Purvis , director of health care costs and access for AARP’s Public Policy Institute.

Still, finding a way to afford your meds is important. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to afford your meds and support your health.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Curb inflation with 5 credit card perks. Also in the news: What you need to know about Apple’s Buy Now Pay Later feature, how to tell if free business software will cost you, and how one person ditched $20K in debt.

Curb Inflation With 5 Credit Card Perks
Your credit card may hold some valuable money-saving features or benefits, whether your goal is to pay off debt or save on costs.

What You Need to Know About Apple’s Buy Now, Pay Later Feature
Apple Pay Later divides your purchase into four equal installments with zero interest or fees, but there are risks to “buy now, pay later” plans.

How to Tell if Free Business Software Will Cost You
Free business software may have no upfront costs, but you could pay for it in other ways.

How I Ditched Debt: From $20K to $0 in Five Years and 8 Steps
I dug deep into a bag of tricks and tips to pay down debt. Here are the ones that made the most difference.

Thursday’s need-to-know money

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Today’s top story: 9 essential business tasks that take an hour or less. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the cost of childcare, 6 mistakes to avoid when you open a new credit card account, and why managing your money starts with your emotions.

9 Essential Business Tasks That Take an Hour or Less
It only takes a few minutes to apply for an employer identification number, get a business insurance quote and more.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dive: Why Is Child Care So Expensive?
This week’s episode is a Nerdy deep dive into the cost of child care.

6 Mistakes to Avoid When You Open a New Credit Card Account
Learning about a new card will help you optimize its benefits and avoid its gotchas.

Why Managing Your Money Starts With Your Emotions
Dealing with your feelings about money can clear away obstacles to making smart financial decisions.