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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to get what you want at your next job. Also in the news: Medicare to offer free at home COVID-19 tests in early spring, how your parents’ debt could outlive them, and what you need to know before you claim your child tax credit this season.

How to Get What You Want at Your Next Job
Before you start polishing your resume, here are tips from career coaches on being strategic with your job search, preparing for negotiations and asking for what you want.

Medicare to Offer Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests in Early Spring
Members will be eligible for eight free over-the-counter tests per month through local pharmacies.

How Your Parents’ Debt Could Outlive Them
Should you fear ‘filial responsibility’ laws?

What You Need to Know Before You Claim Your Child Tax Credit This Filing Season
The child tax credit was expanded up to $3,600 for the 2021 tax year. Here’s how to claim yours.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How your parents’ debt could outlive them. Also in the news: 7 Black financial influencers to follow in 2022, what rising interest rates mean for personal loans, and just how passive js passive income?

How Your Parents’ Debt Could Outlive Them
When you can and can’t be held personally responsible.

7 Black Financial Influencers to Follow in 2022
Black financial pros shared their advice about the Great Resignation, buying a house in a competitive housing market and investing in crypto.

What Do Rising Interest Rates Mean for Personal Loans?
Hikes in overall interest rates can impact personal loans, but factors under your control can also influence the cost.

Just How Passive Is Passive Income?
If you want to earn passive income, be ready to work for it.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 common objections to buying an electric car, debunked. Also in the news: How to Avoid Long Lines at Rental Car Counters, Financial Therapists Say to Disrupt Debt Cycle, Look at Your Money Beliefs, and 10 Easy Tricks for Saving Money on Travel.

5 Common Objections to Buying an Electric Car, Debunked
Many consumers are still hesitant to buy EVs, despite rapid improvements to charging ranges, selection and price.

How to Avoid Long Lines at Rental Car Counters
With so many ways to jump the line, there’s no need to get stuck waiting at the rental car counter.

Financial Therapists Say to Disrupt Debt Cycle, Look at Your Money Beliefs
If you find yourself in a cycle of debt, you may need to address the root cause. These tips from financial therapists can help.

10 Easy Tricks for Saving Money on Travel
Travel is expensive, but there are plenty of ways to cut costs.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to score points in the credit game. Also in the news: 5 credit card trends to watch for, student loan payment plan promises forgiveness but rarely delivers, and how to tell if a bank account is right for you.

How to Score Points in the Credit Game
The traditional advice of paying on time and keeping balances low will eventually result in decent credit. But you can speed it up.

5 Credit Card Trends to Watch for in 2022
Expect more customized rewards and incentives, a more seamless overall customer experience and a big resurgence in travel credit cards, among other things.

Student Loan Payment Plan Promises Forgiveness But Rarely Delivers
Most borrowers are unlikely to ever see that debt forgiven, despite the baked-in promise to do just that.

4 Ways to Tell if a Bank Account Is Right for You

How your parents’ debt could outlive them

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Many people believe one of two common myths when a parent dies in debt, says Chicago estate planning attorney Michael Whitty. The first myth is that an adult child will become liable for their parents’ debt. The second myth is that they can’t.

Adult children typically don’t have to pay their parents’ bills, but there are exceptions. And even when a child doesn’t have to pay directly, debt could reduce what they inherit.

Debt doesn’t simply disappear when someone dies, Whitty explains. Creditors can file claims against the estate, and those claims usually have to be paid before anything is distributed to heirs. Creditors also are allowed to contact relatives about the dead person’s debts, even if those family members have no legal obligation to pay.

In my latest for the Associated Press, some issues to explore if you’re concerned that your parents’ debt might outlive them.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 homebuying lessons from last year’s unsuccessful buyers. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on No Spend Month and making money while raising kids, why you can expect to pay more for car insurance this year, and why banks are eliminating overdraft fees.

5 Homebuying Lessons From Last Year’s Unsuccessful Buyers
Buying a home in 2022 won’t be easy, but learning from last year’s challenges might give you the edge that you need to succeed.

Smart Money Podcast: No-Spend Month, and Making Money While Raising Kids
How to make a no-spend month work for you.

Why You Can Expect to Pay More for Car Insurance This Year
Rising car prices, supply-chain and labor shortages, plus minimal rate increases last year are leading to an expected surge in car insurance costs.

Why Banks Are Eliminating Overdraft Fees
More banks are reducing or eliminating overdraft fees on customer accounts because of increased competition.