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Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What rising prices could mean for your retirement plans. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on student debt and money baggage, how guests can honor their budgets in peak wedding season, and ways to mitigate credit card use during inflation.

What Rising Prices Could Mean for Your Retirement Plans
Inflation means your retirement savings won’t go as far. Here’s how to pivot.

Smart Money Podcast: New Student Debt, and a Couple’s Money Baggage
This week’s episode starts with a discussion of the student debt new high school grads — and their parents — could take on.

How Guests Can Honor Their Budgets in Peak Wedding Season
All signs point to a banner year for weddings in 2022. Here’s how guests can manage the costs to attend celebrations.

Ways to mitigate credit card use during inflation
Use them strategically.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Dealing with death? There’s an app for that. Also in the news: 4 ways to save on family travel without stressing, how to avoid the latest cryptocurrency scam, and the only states that teach personal finance.

Dealing with death? There’s an app for that
Planning for death and navigating life after a loss can be difficult, complex and sometimes expensive.

4 Ways to Save on Family Travel Without Stressing
Save money by packing light, picking free activities and putting travel points to work.

How to avoid ‘rug pulls,’ the latest cryptocurrency scam
A new type of scam has emerged in the hype-filled world of cryptocurrency: the “rug pull.”

The Only States That Teach Personal Finance
While the list of states teaching financial literacy is growing, parents still need to teach kids the basics.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 4 ways to protect your small business from cyberattacks. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast featuring a travel nerd’s trip to Japan, what Warren Buffett would do about inflation, and what Stablecoin’s troubles mean for crypto investors.

4 Ways to Protect Your Small Business From Cyberattacks
You can follow cybersecurity best practices, train your employees and invest in cyber insurance to protect your business.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Travel Diaries: Scrimping and Splurging in Japan
A Travel Nerd’s story about traveling to Tokyo for a vacation that balanced moments of luxury and cost-saving travel hacks.

Rising Inflation, Volatile Market: What Would Buffett Do?
For billionaire Warren Buffett, investing in low-cost index funds and pursuing value over the long term are the best ways to beat inflation and weather turbulent times.

What a Stablecoin’s Troubles Mean for Crypto Investors
TerraUSD’s high-profile flop has added to the pressure on digital assets this week.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Should you drive or fly this summer? Also in the news: 3 ways to save after buying a car, the return of in-flight refreshments, and how to tell if you qualify for discounted internet from the government.

Should You Fly or Drive This Summer?
Flying will save you time and money on longer trips, but there’s more to consider.

3 Ways to Save After Buying a Car
You can cancel some dealer extras, refinance your loan and shop for insurance.

This Airline Amenity Is Making a Comeback, and It’s Refreshing
Didn’t have time for a snack at the terminal? Don’t worry — in-flight refreshments are back.

How to Tell If You Qualify for Discounted Internet From the Government
Are you one of the millions of Americans eligible to receive cheaper, fast internet?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Do you need a grad degree to compete right now? Also in the news: What to do when a loved one owes you money, the best cities for freelancers, and how to avoid a last-minute extra baggage fee at the airport.

Do You Need a Grad Degree to Compete Right Now? Probably Not
More U.S. workers than ever hold a graduate degree.

A Loved One Owes You Money. Now What?
How to tackle an uncomfortable topic.

The 10 best cities for freelancers who can work from anywhere
These places have rich, active environments for self-employed gig workers and independent contractors

How to Avoid a Last-Minute Extra Baggage Fee at the Airport
One thing to add to your bag so you never wind up paying for that extra weight again.

Dealing with death? There’s an app for that

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Before the pandemic, entrepreneurs Liz Eddy and Alyssa Ruderman had trouble getting venture capitalists to invest in their end-of-life planning app Lantern. Potential business partners were skeptical as well.

“We would hear, ‘Oh, this is really a niche issue,’ which I think is pretty hilarious,” Eddy says. “Death is quite literally the only thing on the planet that affects every single person.”

The past two years have highlighted the importance of such preparation, even for younger people. Abigail Henson, a 31-year-old college professor in Phoenix, says she started using Lantern about 18 months ago to plan her funeral, tell her executor where to find her passwords and explain what she wanted to be done with her social media accounts.

“I’m a planner, and I have control issues, so the idea of being able to have a say in what happens following my passing was appealing,” Henson says.

Planning for death and navigating life after a loss can be difficult, complex and sometimes expensive. In my latest for the Associated Press, a look at several apps that promise to help.