Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: ‘Better late than never’ applies to retirement investing, too. Also in the news: How to conquer Black Friday from your couch, 5 reasons your car needs a dash cam, and how to screen tenants when renting out your home. ‘Better Late Than Never’ Applies to Retirement Investing, Too A late start in […]

Continue reading...

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Savings rates are staying low. Here’s why, and what to do. Also in the news: Ask a Points Nerd on how to celebrate the holidays without traveling, renting hotels for big events is dirt cheap at the moment, and the benefits of a ‘second chance’ checking account. Savings Rates Are Staying Low. […]

Continue reading...

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How your mental health can affect how you save money. Also in the news: The holiday shopping episode of the Smart Money podcast, how to protect your credit when shopping for the holidays, and how to choose a secure credit card. Your Mental Health Can Affect How You Save Money How your […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: A bill shows up twice in a credit report. Now what?

Dear Liz: I have been doing everything to raise my credit scores, which were horrible. I see some medical bills on my credit reports that seem identical. Should I try to dispute them or just let them go? I heard that if you try to dispute them, it allows the creditor to restart the clock […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: To sell or not to sell that collection

Dear Liz: You’ve twice advised collectors to sell their collections while they’re still alive, rather than leave the task to an executor who won’t have the collector’s intimate knowledge of the market for these items. Collectibles bring joy to the collector and are probably most valued the closer the end approaches. It would bring sadness […]

Continue reading...

Q&A: When paying debt hurts credit score

Dear Liz: You recently answered someone whose credit scores dropped more than 30 points after they paid off a mortgage. You mentioned that the big drop was probably because the mortgage was the person’s only installment loan. Credit scores like to see active use of both types of credit, installment loans and credit cards. Because […]

Continue reading...

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Financial advice that rarely fits all. Also in the news: Telehealth gets a boost among Medicare recipients in the pandemic, things to keep your holiday packages safe, and when you should transfer your credit card balance to a low-interest card. Financial Advice That Rarely Fits All One size doesn’t always work. Telehealth […]

Continue reading...

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How small businesses can help workers save. Also in the news: 8 housing and mortgage trends for 2021, 45% of federal student loan borrowers unsure they can pay, and how to get your collectibles appraised. How Small Businesses Can Help Workers Save Small businesses can offer inexpensive ways to help workers save […]

Continue reading...

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Grace period over? Refinance these student loans ASAP. Also in the news: smart tactics for Millennials flocking to buy life insurance, how senior insulin users may benefit from Medicare savings model, and how to stay on track with a budget calendar. Grace Period Over? Refinance These Student Loans ASAP New graduates shouldn’t […]

Continue reading...

How small businesses can help workers save

Donna Skemp of Bend, Oregon, struggled to save before she signed up for an automatic savings plan offered by her employer’s payroll services company. Now, some of her pay goes into a federally insured, interest-paying savings account that she can access any time with a debit card. “It’s painless, and it’s so easy,” says Skemp, […]

Continue reading...