Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 ways to save money on holiday travel. Also in the news: How to prepare for a natural disaster during your vacation, letting the “out-the-door” price drive your next car negotiations, and the best way to give money without giving cash. 6 Ways to Save Money on Holiday Travel Leverage the perks […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Omicron, travel bans and how they could impact your travel. Also in the news: What to buy (and skip) in December, how diversification can help manage crypto risks, and how to sustain generosity beyond the holidays. Omicron, Travel Bans and How They Could Impact Your Trip As countries rush to impose travel […]

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How to maximize your ‘health span’

We’re living longer on average, but the number of years we’re healthy hasn’t kept up. This lagging “health span ” translates into more time living with serious illness and disabilities at the end of our lives. This can have significant repercussions for our retirements. Some of us will have our working lives cut short by […]

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Will inflation be good for student loan borrowers? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on holiday travel and financial advisors, how to retrain for a new job, and the December 2021 mortgage outlook. Will Inflation Be Good for Student Loan Borrowers? Student loan borrowers are taking […]

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Q&A: Social Security after a spouse dies

Dear Liz: My husband recently died. Since he and I received essentially the same amount from Social Security, I will not receive any additional money. Can you explain this? Social Security could not when I both called and went to the local office. I have not seen this addressed in your column. I would think […]

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Q&A: Unexpected credit upswing

Dear Liz: I know there are different factors involved, but I find a recent upsurge in my FICO score inexplicable. My score went from about 740 to 815, according to a note in my most recent credit card statement. Yet I’ve done virtually nothing in the way of major credit activity — no purchases, no […]

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Q&A: Lenders were supposed to tell you about pandemic debt relief. What if yours didn’t?

Dear Liz: I had a problem last year and had no income so I couldn’t pay my bills for three months. I explained the situation to my creditors, but they still put the late payments on my credit reports. I called and sent letters, but it was no good: My credit score dropped to the […]

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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to be a 5-Star traveler this holiday season. Also in the news: How to plan holiday travel if your kids aren’t fully vaccinated yet, President Bideb acts to ease gas prices, and how to avoid the line at the airport bag check counter. How to Be a 5-Star Traveler This Holiday […]

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3 times you need money advice from a human

You can now manage most aspects of your money without ever consulting another human being. You can budget, borrow, save, invest, buy insurance, prepare your tax return and create a will — among many other tasks — by using apps, websites and software. But technology still has limitations, especially when you’re facing a money situation […]

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Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 common winter home insurance claims and how to prevent them. Also in the news: How long it will take to pay off your MBA debt, huge Disney park changes for 2022 and tips on how to fund your trip, and why the catch with Buy Now Pay Later could be your […]

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