Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 common debt consolidation mistakes and how to avoid them. Also in the news: Inflation could be sapping your pandemic savings, how your driving habits can lower your insurance bills, and how lifestyle creep can erode your savings one raise at a time.

4 Common Debt Consolidation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Before you consolidate, build your credit, assess your budget and compare consolidating to other debt payoff strategies.

As Pandemic Saving Settles, Inflation Could Sap Your Surplus
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans have been able to tuck away more cash than ever before.

How Your Driving Habits Can Lower Your Insurance Bill
Telematics insurance can help you lower your car insurance rates, as long as you’re a safe driver.

Lifestyle Creep: Eroding Your Savings, One Raise at a Time
Lifestyle creep may put your retirement savings at risk more than anything else.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Does Medicare cover COVID testing and vaccines? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on procrastination and paying student loans vs investing, 3 ways COVID has reshuffled our finances, and how the car you drive can raise your auto insurance rates.

Does Medicare Cover COVID Testing and Vaccines?
In general, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.

Smart Money Podcast: Procrastination, and Paying Student Loans vs. Investing
How to stop procrastinating on big money tasks.

3 Ways COVID-19 Reshuffled Our Finances
Three financial trends we can chalk up to the coronavirus pandemic.

How the Car You Drive Can Raise Your Auto Insurance Rates
The cost of your car isn’t the only way your vehicle affects your auto insurance bill.

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 retirement investing is better than no start, advisors say. There’s still time to benefit.

How to Conquer Black Friday From Your Couch
No need to risk the crowds.

5 Reasons Your Car Needs a Dash Cam
Keeping yourself safe.

How to Screen Tenants When Renting Out Your Home
Proper vetting is important.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Identity theft protection you may not know you already have. Also in the news: How auto insurers use you non-driving habits to raise prices, how younger consumers can get a credit boost from their elders, and how to close a credit card the right way.

Identity Theft Protection You May Not Know You Already Have
Some surprising sources.

How Auto Insurers Use Your Nondriving Habits to Raise Prices
What you need to know about price optimization.

Younger Consumers, Get a Credit Boost From Your Elders
Authorized user status could give you a boost.

How to Close a Credit Card The Right Way
Protecting your credit score.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Keeping Solo Agers happier and safer. Also in the news: A simple recipe for managing your credit score, how to choose between using your savings or getting a loan when hit with an unexpected expense, and how a few minutes on the phone could save you hundreds on auto insurance.

Keeping ‘Solo Agers’ Happier and Safer
Preparing for the Golden Years alone.

A Simple ‘Recipe’ for Managing Your Credit Score
3 ingredients.

Savings or loan: which should you turn to when hit with an unexpected expense
Making the wise decision.

Those car-insurance commercials aren’t kidding: A few minutes on the phone really can save drivers hundreds of dollars
You could save a significant amount of money.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Think twice before paying for accident forgiveness. Also in the news: What to do when a fund in your portfolio closes, 5 Black Friday credit card strategies to add to your list, and how to get your finances in order.

Think Twice Before Paying for Accident Forgiveness
How much to pay for a mistake you might never make?

What to Do When a Fund in Your Portfolio Closes
ETFs are dying off.

5 Black Friday Credit Card Strategies to Add to Your List
Using your cards smartly this season.

How to Get Your Finances in Order
Prioritizing is key.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 10 tax forms you need to know before you file. Also in the news: How Blacks took banking into their own hands, understanding collision and comprehensive insurance, and why you shouldn’t take financial advice from commercials.

10 Tax Forms You Need to Know Before You File
Understanding the 1099s and the W2s.

How Blacks Took Banking Into Their Own Hands
More than 18% of African Americans don’t have traditional bank accounts.

Understanding Collision and Comprehensive Insurance
The important differences.

Don’t Take Financial Advice from Commercials
Don’t forget – they’re trying to sell you something.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to prepare financially for your death regardless of your age. Also in the news: The best industries for starting a business in 2017, how insurance companies use your driving record as a crystal ball, and 5 practical steps for creating a retirement backup plan.

How to Prepare Financially for Your Death (No Matter How Young You Are)
Making important decisions.

5 Best Industries for Starting a Business in 2017
Time to start working for yourself.

Your Driving Record: Insurance Companies’ Crystal Ball
Analyzing your behavior.

5 practical steps for creating a retirement backup plan
Always have a Plan B.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

payday-loansToday’s top story: Financial aid tips for procrastinators. Also in the news: Auto insurance in the driverless car era, payday alternative loans, and six ways your teen driver will affect your wallet.

4 Financial Aid Tips for College Procrastinators
Don’t waste any more time.

If You Hate Auto Insurance, You’ll Love Driverless Cars
A change in who’s to blame for accidents.

What Is a Payday Alternative Loan?
Avoiding the traditional payday loan trap.

6 Ways Your Teen Driver Will Affect Your Wallet
It’s more expensive than you’d think.