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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Relax. The Reddit-Hedge Fund battle won’t tank your 401(k). Also in the news: How Medicare star ratings can help you choose a plan, the tax credit fix many can’t afford to miss, and what is Dogecoin and why are people buying it?

Relax. The Reddit-Hedge Fund Battle Won’t Tank Your 401(k)
The internet is aflame with stock market reactions. But if you invested for the long term, you’re likely insulated from any fallout.

Medicare Star Ratings: How They Can Help You Choose a Plan
Medicare star ratings (compiled by the government) help shoppers compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans.

The Tax Credit Fix Many Can’t Afford to Miss
Working families could miss out on the refundable tax credits they need to make ends meet.

What is Dogecoin, and Why Are People Buying It?
The hottest meme crypto.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The tax credit fix many can’t afford to miss. Also in the news: Being the first in the family to invest, how to right your retirement savings after coronavirus setbacks, and why your credit karma score seems to high.

The Tax Credit Fix Many Can’t Afford to Miss
Working families could miss out on the refundable tax credits they need to make ends meet.

First in the Family to Invest: How I Saved Almost $700K
Frugality and a commitment to invest at least 20% of his earnings have paid off for this Missouri man.

How to Right Your Retirement Savings After Coronavirus Setbacks
For investors whose retirement savings have been disrupted by the pandemic, there’s a path to replenishment in 2021 and beyond.

Why Your Credit Karma Score Seems Too High
Not all scores are the same.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How a travel agent can help your COVID-Era travel plans. Also in the news: A beginner’s guide to travel insurance, possible relief for private student loan borrowers and what’s causing the GameStop stock frenzy.

How a Travel Agent Can Help Your COVID-Era Travel Plans
Travel agents can help you navigate coronavirus-related restrictions and make canceling trips easier.

A Beginner’s Guide to Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help cover costs for unexpected events like cancellations, trip delays and medical care.

Will There Be Relief for Private Student Loan Borrowers?
It doesn’t look good.

What’s Causing the GameStop Stock Trading Frenzy?
An explainer.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to retire rich without following a budget. Also in the news: a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on how to buy a house in 2021, a look at President Biden’s housing plans, and how much a divorce will cost you.

You’ll Never Follow a Budget. Here’s How to Retire Rich Anyway
Calculate your net worth by taking what you own and subtracting what you owe to measure your financial progress.

Smart Money Podcast: How to Buy a House in 2021
And a discussion of NerdWallet’s Best-Of Awards.

The Property Line: Biden Housing Plans Include Down Payment Help
Joe Biden’s campaign included numerous proposals to expand housing opportunity. Here’s what some of them might look like.

How Much Will A Divorce Will Cost You?
Breaking down the cost.

The tax credit fix many can’t afford to miss

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Families battered by the pandemic recession soon may discover that the tax refunds they’re counting on are dramatically smaller — or that they actually owe income tax. Congress offered a partial solution, but the fix hasn’t been widely publicized, consumer advocates say.

Refunds are crucial to many lower- and moderate-income households, which use the money to catch up on bills and medical treatments, pay down debt and boost savings.

But the unemployment insurance that kept many people afloat last year may cause problems at tax time this year. In my latest for the Associated Press, how a tax credit fix could lessen the blow of unemployment benefits taxes.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: A guide to PPP loan forgiveness. Also in the news: High car insurance rates could be because of bad credit, 4 signs your about to get a tax surprise, and how to budget when you hate to budget.

A Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness

High Car Insurance Rates? Bad Credit May Be to Blame
Not paying bills might hurt you more than you think. Drivers with poor credit pay over 75% more annually in some states.

4 Signs You’re About to Get a Tax Surprise
If any of these things have happened to you, a tax surprise may be coming.

How to Budget When You Hate to Budget
Automation, technology and some simple guidelines can help you budget without a huge amount of effort and stress.