Get smart with your money
Some of the early signs of dementia are financial: forgetting to pay bills, for example, or having trouble calculating a tip. People who develop dementia also are more likely to miss credit card payments and have subprime credit scores years before they’re diagnosed, according to a study published last year in medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
In my latest for the Associated Press, how to protect the finances and credit rating of a loved one while preserving their dignity and autonomy.
Today’s top story: Should your business start accepting cryptocurrency? Also in the news: 5 features to look for in a personal loan, how the labor shortage could benefit your job hunt, and where to stash your down payment if you’re waiting for the housing market to crash.
Should Your Business Start Accepting Cryptocurrency?
While crypto can be easily adopted by e-commerce businesses, it’s less suited for traditional retail settings.
5 Features to Look For in a Personal Loan
When choosing between multiple low-rate personal loan offers, compare features like discounts and customer service.
Upgrade Your Job: How the Labor Shortage May Benefit You
As employers struggle to fill vacancies in many sectors, it’s a great time to consider changing jobs.
Where to Stash Your Down Payment If You’re Waiting for the Housing Market to Crash
When shopping for a new home, keep your down payment in a low-risk savings account.
Today’s top story: ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save for the future. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on holiday scams and paying off law school debt, how to vet holiday deals and avoid scams, and why you should sign up for AARP, even if you’re young.
ABLE Accounts Help People With Disabilities Save for the Future
Created by a federal law in 2014, Achieving a Better Life Experience — ABLE — accounts provide a way for people with disabilities to save money without losing public benefits.
Smart Money Podcast: Holiday Shopping Scams, and Paying Off Law School Debt
Scams consumers might encounter when holiday shopping this year.
How to Vet Holiday Deals and Avoid Scams
Prepare your budget and your shopping list. Then brush up on the latest scams and take advantage of deals when you find them.
Why You Should Join AARP, Even If You’re a Young Whippersnapper
You can enjoy a slew of senior citizen discounts without actually being a senior citizen.
Today’s top story: 5 car-buying mistakes to avoid in today’s overheated market. Also in the news: PPP is gone but government help for small businesses isn’t, experts make 5 predictions for Black Friday 2021, and how to avoid making this common mistake with your health savings account.
5 Car-Buying Mistakes to Avoid in Today’s Overheated Market
With limited car inventory and sky-high prices, it’s important for shoppers to avoid these costly mistakes.
PPP Is Gone, But Government Help for Small Businesses Isn’t
Government funding is still available for businesses in need of COVID relief or capital. Here are the options.
Experts Make 5 Predictions for Black Friday 2021
What holiday shopping could look like in 2021.
Avoid Making This Common Mistake With Your Health Savings Account
Despite the tremendous upside, only 9% of HSA owners invest the funds in their account.
Today’s top story: How the toy shortage could affect your holiday. Also in the news: How to pay for home improvements without equity, 3 free ways to run your business more smoothly, and how to save money like a ‘super saver’.
How the Toy Shortage Could Affect Your Holidays
Popular toys could be hard to find this holiday season because of supply chain issues, so planning is key.
How to Pay for Home Improvements Without Equity
Hoping to buy a home? Strategizing how you’ll pay for home improvements now can save you stress later.
3 Free Ways to Run Your Business More Smoothly
These three ideas can help your business operate more smoothly without costing you any money.
How to Save Money Like a ‘Super Saver’
If you want to save a super amount, do what so-called “super savers” do.
Today’s top story: 3 questions to ask before you buy cryptocurrency. Also in the news: What COVID test is required for travel, how to fix an overdrawn bank account, and flexibility is key when traveling abroad during COVID.
3 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Cryptocurrency
Here’s how to know whether you’re ready for the risks involved in digital assets such as bitcoin.
What COVID Test Is Required for Travel?
Whether you need a negative diagnostic COVID test to travel depends on your vaccination status and destination.
How to Fix an Overdrawn Bank Account
Overdrawing an account can be costly. Here are the steps to repair it now and how to prevent future overdrafts.
Traveling Abroad During COVID? Be Flexible to Change Plans
Heed the advice of those who have already tried traveling abroad in the COVID era: Prepare for chaos.