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Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 5 tips to keep a landscaping project on time and under budget. Also in the news: The mortgage outlook for June, student loan interest rates to increase July 1st, and how to get Amazon Prime Day prices without a membership.

5 Tips to Keep a Landscaping Project on Time, Under Budget
DIY projects can give your yard a new look on a short timeline, even with a low budget.

Mortgage Outlook: June Rates Could Rise If Bond Market Acts Out
How things look for the month ahead.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates to Increase July 1
Rates will rise to 3.73% for the 2021-22 academic year after the historic low of 2.75% for the past year.

How to Get Amazon Prime Day Deals Without Paying for a Membership
Prime Day is just around the corner.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How a mortgage nerd bought a house in a seller’s market. Also in the news: Why you should consider a second city trip in 2021, what changed while you were ignoring travel, and why travel is more expensive this summer.

How a Mortgage Nerd Bought a House in a Seller’s Market
Buying a house was super-hard, and I write about homebuying for a living. If you’re wondering how to pull it off, you’re not alone. Here’s what I did.

Why You Should Consider a ‘Second City’ Trip in 2021
Travelers are less interested in visiting big cities this summer. Here are some good alternatives.

What Changed While You Were Ignoring Travel?
Catch up on what happened in the travel industry while you were staying home.

7 Reasons Travel Is More Expensive This Summer
A look at the prices.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Federal student loan interest rates to increase July 1st. Also in the news: What it would take to solve the student debt crisis, 4 tips for small business owners paying down pandemic debt, and how to be a better long-distance caregiver.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates to Increase July 1
Rates will rise to 3.73% for the 2021-22 academic year after the historic low of 2.75% for the past year.

What Would It Take to Solve the Student Debt Crisis?
It’ll take more than debt forgiveness.

4 Tips for Small-Business Owners Paying Down Pandemic Debt
Paying down pandemic debt can help business owners rebuild and reinvest in their companies.

How to Be a Better Long-Distance Caregiver
Get the most out of technology, local helpers and available benefits when caring for a loved one from afar.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to be a better long-distance caregiver. Also in the news: 4 tips for small-business owners paying down pandemic debt, how to buy an electric car, and how to avoid paying a penalty if you filed your taxes late.

How to Be a Better Long-Distance Caregiver
Get the most out of technology, local helpers and available benefits when caring for a loved one from afar.

4 Tips for Small-Business Owners Paying Down Pandemic Debt
Paying down pandemic debt can help business owners rebuild and reinvest in their companies.

How to Buy an Electric Car
Shopping for an EV takes a different strategy. Here’s what you need to know to get a good deal.

How to Avoid Paying a Penalty If You Filed Your Taxes Late
How the IRS’ late fees work

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Do eco-friendly credit cards deliver on their promises? Also in the news: How to choose between hotel loyalty programs, how to become a digital nomad abroad, and the status of student loan forgiveness.

Do Eco-Friendly Credit Cards Deliver on Their Promises?
They’re a start, but even recycled plastic has downsides. Metal cards, digital wallets and buying less help, too.

How to Choose Between Hotel Loyalty Programs
You’ll not only have to decide on a hotel brand, but also if the loyalty program’s elite status perks are worth it.

How to Become a Digital Nomad Abroad
These tips can help you make sure you have a plan to work, save money and build a community abroad.

Is Student Loan Forgiveness Dead?
Where loan forgiveness currently stands.

How to be a better long-distance caregiver

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Long pandemic lockdowns forced many older adults to become comfortable with video calls to stay connected with family. That in turn means that long-distance caregivers have a better way to see how their loved ones are faring.

“You can’t tell on the phone that they’re wearing the same clothes every day, or they’re not bathing because they’re afraid they’ll fall in the shower,” says Amy Goyer, AARP’s national family and caregiving expert and the author of “Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving.”

More than 1 in 10 caregivers look after family or friends from a distance, which can make the task much more difficult and expensive. A 2016 AARP survey found that caregivers in general incur an average of about $7,000 a year in out-of-pocket expenses. Long-distance caregivers — those who live at least an hour away from the care recipient — incur about $12,000 on average, according to the survey. Long-distance caregivers are more likely than local caregivers to hire help, take unpaid time off work and pay for travel, Goyer says.

In my latest for the Associated Press, tips on providing care from a long distance.