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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to maximize paying taxes with a credit card for points. Also in the news: How travel is back, 5 reasons to be optimistic about your summer travel plans, and how rising fed interest rates affect home buyers, homeowners.

How to Maximize Paying Taxes with a Credit Card for Points
You can rack up some serious points by paying your taxes with a credit card — just be conscious of fees.

Travel Is Back, in Case You Missed It
The pandemic has changed the way we travel, but the industry is bouncing back.

5 Reasons to Be Optimistic About Your Summer Travel Plans
The gradual travel bounce-back from deep COVID looks poised to accelerate this summer.

How Rising Fed Interest Rates Affect Home Buyers, Homeowners
Interest rates on mortgages and home equity lines of credit may rise following the Federal Reserve’s rate increase.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to know if you qualify for free file and use it. Also in the news: 5 things to know about guaranteed universal life insurance, the worst that will happen if you file your taxes late, and if gas is really cheaper at Costco.

Analysis: Taxpayers Waste Billions on Filing Federal Returns
Each year, 70% of taxpayers qualify to file federal returns for free, but few do. The unnecessary spending could top $13 billion.

5 Things to Know About Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance
Here are five things you should know before buying a guaranteed universal life policy.

What’s the Worst That Will Happen If You File Your Taxes Late (or Not at All)?
Taxes are the least-popular aspect of modern civilization, but filing late—or not at all—is a big mistake.

Is Gas Really Cheaper at Costco?
Gas prices likely aren’t dropping any time soon. Could Costco be your saving grace?

How buy now, pay later loans could alter credit

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Expanding access to credit is a worthy goal. Too many people can’t get a mortgage or an emergency loan at a reasonable rate because they can’t show a solid credit history. They may pay more for insurance or make large security deposits to get utilities or rent an apartment.

Recently, the three major credit bureaus announced plans to incorporate “buy now, pay later” plans, a hugely popular type of point-of-sale financing that until now remained mostly outside the traditional credit ecosystem.

But no one should expect that their buy now, pay later purchases will instantly open the door to better credit. If you want reliable access to the largest number of lenders, building credit through traditional means is still the better route.

In my latest for the Associated Press, learn more about buy now, pay later loans and how to build better credit now.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Combating inflation, and saving for retirement amid climate change. Also in the news: 3 ways to lessen the impact of inflation on your small business, 3 ways small-business owners will feel a fed rate increase, and how to get on top of planned expenses with sinking funds.

Smart Money Podcast: Combating Inflation, and Saving for Retirement Amid Climate Change
Things may seem grim, but you can still take steps to set yourself up for long-term financial success.

3 Ways to Lessen the Impact of Inflation on Your Small Business
Lessen the impact of inflation on your business by raising your prices, refining your operations and working with a financial advisor.

3 Ways Small-Business Owners Will Feel a Fed Rate Increase
The Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates multiple times in 2022.

Get on Top of Planned Expenses With Sinking Funds
Mapping out big purchases in advance gives you time to save by adding regularly to “sinking funds” for each goal.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Steps to build healthy spending habits and make the transition out of college easier. Also in the news: How to avoid risk of student loan default, why you should file your taxes early, and the cheapest American metro areas to buy a home right now.

Get Ready to Spend Like a College Grad With These Top Budget Tips
Soon-to-be graduates can take these steps to build healthy spending habits and make the transition out of college easier.

Are You At Risk of Student Loan Default?
Student loan default starts the same way for everyone: a missed payment.

Why You Should File Your Taxes Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to get in line for your refund.

The Cheapest American Metro Areas to Buy a Home Right Now
With the cost of houses continuing to rise, location can make a big difference.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to put your tax refund to work for you. Also in the news: 7 ways to improve your small-business website, how ‘impact investment’ perform better than evil investments, and how to get the most out of every drop of gas right now.

How to Put Your Tax Refund to Work for You
Paying into an emergency fund and getting rid of high-interest debt are top priorities.

7 Ways to Improve Your Small-Business Website
Keep it simple and take your time while revamping your small-business website or establishing an online presence.

Does ‘Impact Investment’ Perform Better Than Evil Investments?
Impact investing is not charity, but it’s also not an automatic route to higher returns.

How to Get the Most Out of Every Drop of Gas Right Now
With prices well over $4 per gallon, you’ll want to squeeze every last inch of road from your fuel.