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Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Discriminatory practices leave Black Americans with less life insurance. Also in the news: How to keep your student loan payment at $0, a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on the lessons learned from Gamestop, and how to protect yourself from gas pump skimmers.

Discriminatory Practices Leave Black Americans With Less Life Insurance
Years of discrimination have led to a life insurance coverage gap between Black and white Americans.

How to Keep Your Student Loan Payment at $0
Take a look at income-driven repayment.

Smart Money Podcast: GameStop Lessons and Talking About Money With Your Partner
Understanding what the heck happened with Gamestop.

How to Protect Yourself From Gas Pump Skimmers
Scammers never rest.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic. Also in the news: The fairness of airline fees, the influence of 2020 on investing, and how to avoid paying certain car dealership fees.

How to Prioritize Debt Payments in the Pandemic
The rules have changed.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Are Airline Fees Fair?
The process of buying a plane ticket can be misleading because you aren’t shown all of the fees upfront.

Will 2020 Make Us More Empathetic Investors?
Investment dollars can make an impact, so be sure your impact is a good one.

Avoid Paying These Car Dealership Fees
Know which fees you have to pay, which ones you can negotiate, and which ones you can avoid altogether.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 6 rules for first-time car buyers. Also in the news: Buzzy banking apps for kids and teens, getting your bank accounts in order for 2021, and knowing your COVID mortgage forbearance rights.

6 Rules for First-Time Car Buyers
Break it down into an orderly process: budgeting, financing, choosing a car and then negotiating a clean deal.

Buzzy Banking Apps for Kids and Teens
Developing good money habits early.

Get Your Bank Accounts in Order With These 2021 Resolutions
Streamlining for the new year.

Know Your COVID Mortgage Forbearance Rights
How to report an unscrupulous lender.

How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic

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A singular crisis has led to extraordinary relief options for borrowers. Interest and payments have been paused on federal student loans. Homeowners can request nearly a year of mortgage forbearance. Credit card issuers and other lenders dramatically expanded hardship programs.

Still, many Americans say they took on more debt last year because of the pandemic, according to NerdWallet’s household debt survey.

If you are one of them, or if you have other household debt that’s been put on hold, you may not want to rush to pay that money back even if you can. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to be strategic when dealing with pandemic-related and other debt.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 3 things to know if you’re new to gig work. Also in the news: How to craft smarter money goals in 2021, the do’s and don’ts of getting and using a paycheck protection program loan, and 5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt.

3 Things to Know if You’re New to Gig Work
To the IRS, you’re a small business.

How to Craft Smarter Money Goals in 2021
The pandemic has changed everything.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting, Using a Paycheck Protection Program Loan
Best practices that can help small businesses owners get their PPP loan funded and forgiven.

5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt
Creating the right plan.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How insurance fraud costs you money. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on lottery winners and what to do with extra COVID cash, how to decide if your first house should be a condo, and how to choose your ACA plan.

How Insurance Fraud Costs You Money
Insurance fraud adds an extra $400 to $700 to your premiums every year and costs about $80 billion overall.

Smart Money Podcast: Jackpot Windfall and Extra COVID Cash

Should Your First House Be a Condo?
A condo can make a great starter home, but weigh the pros and cons of buying a condo vs. a house to decide whether it’s right for you.

How to Choose Your Obamacare Plan
Finding the right amount of coverage.