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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How gratitude can help your financial life. Also in the news: What’s being fixed with student loan forgiveness, a new Smart Money podcast deep dive on investing strategies, and what happens when you’re too sick to pay your credit card bills.

How Gratitude Can Help Your Financial Life
Taking stock of what you have.

Student Loan Forgiveness: What’s Getting Fixed?
Public service loan forgiveness is being repaired.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Deep Dives: Investing, Part 3
Exploring investment strategies.

I Was in a Coma and Couldn’t Pay My Credit Card Bills
After a medical emergency, your card issuer may be able to make accommodations to lessen the financial strain.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 6 tips for traveling without a credit card. Also in the news: The most pet-friendly airlines, how to sell from your sofa with live stream shopping events, and letters from the IRS regarding the Recovery Rebate are not a scam.

6 Tips for Traveling Without a Credit Card
Debit cards, gift cards, PayPal and cash can be used to cover travel costs if you don’t have or want a credit card.

The Most Pet-Friendly Airlines
Alaska, American and Hawaiian top our list, but regardless of airline, flying with a pet is going to be expensive.

How to Sell From Your Sofa With Livestream Shopping Events
A whole new shopping experience.

Don’t Throw Away These Letters From the IRS, They’re Not a Scam
The Recovrty Rebate info is real.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to get the best Amazon Black Friday 2021 deals. Also in the news: Buy Now Pay Later loans, October’s mortgage outlook, and is the IRS about to tax your Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App transactions.

How to Get the Best Amazon Black Friday 2021 Deals
The earliest-ever Amazon Black Friday sale is on. Get Apple AirPods Pro for $179.

Buy Now, Pay Later Is Everywhere. Should You Opt In?
Buy now, pay later plans are offered at major retailers. Learn how these plans work and whether you should use one.

Mortgage Outlook: Falling Leaves, Rising Rates in October
Rates are on the rise.

Is the IRS Really About to Tax Your Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App Transactions?
Transactions of $600 or more are coming under scrutiny.

How gratitude can help your financial life

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Gratitude makes us more aware of the sources of joy, wonder and hope in our lives. Being grateful also can improve health, strengthen relationships and help us manage our money.

Developing gratitude requires us to focus on what we have rather than on what we lack, says Meghaan Lurtz, a senior research associate with financial planning site Kitces.com and past president of the Financial Therapy Association. In my latest for the Associated Press, how thankfulness can curb your impulses.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The FAFSA, your ticket to help pay for college, just opened. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on negotiating and volatile car valuations, what to buy and skip in October, and how car insurance works after a natural disaster.

The FAFSA, Your Ticket to Help Pay for College, Just Opened
The FAFSA opened Oct. 1. Apply as soon as possible to be considered for the most available free money for college.

Smart Money Podcast: Haggling Tips and What’s Driving Volatile Car Valuation
How to negotiate.

What to Buy (and Skip) in October 2021
Tricks and treats.

How Car Insurance Works After a Natural Disaster
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from disasters like floods and wildfires, but other coverage options may offer peace of mind.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What Mastercard’s new Buy Now, Pay Later feature means for cardholders. Also in the news: How to find out if a destination is safe for travel, how the pandemic has changed the financial advice business, and how to get your credit card’s annual fee refunded.

What Mastercard’s New ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Feature Means for Cardholders
Mastercard Installments will partner with a handful of card issuers to offer payment plans you can opt in to wherever Mastercard is accepted.

How to Find Out if a Destination Is Safe for Travel
You can use all sorts of online resources, as well as word of mouth, to find out how safe your destination is.

How the pandemic has changed the financial advice business
It’s a different ballgame.

Is Your Credit Card Annual Fee Refundable?
The answer may surprise you.