Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to leave Crypto to a loved one. Also in the news: Black Friday return policies, the October jobs report gives tired travelers a glimmer of hope, and the unexpected way bad credit messes with your life.

How to Leave Crypto to a Loved One
If you don’t make a plan for your cryptocurrency, it could be lost after you die. Here’s how to make sure it gets passed down to a loved one.

As You Shop Black Friday, Keep Return Policies in Mind
Before making purchases this holiday season, consider retailer return policies to save time and money.

October Jobs Report Gives Tired Travelers a Glimmer of Hope
The travel industry is experiencing significant job growth, according to October 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.

The Unexpected Ways a Bad Credit Score Messes With Your Life
Looking beyond mortgages and car loans.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How poor credit could raise your renters insurance rates. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on buy now/pay later loans and how to start building wealth, crypto-earning credit cards, and the retailers that offer the best employee discounts.

How Poor Credit Could Raise Your Renters Insurance Rates
Having poor credit could make your renters insurance nearly twice as expensive.

Smart Money Podcast: Buy Now, Pay Later Loans and How to Start Building Wealth
These offers are common when shopping online, but they aren’t always a good option.

Crypto-Earning Credit Cards Are All the Rage — But Should You Buy In?
The crypto curious might benefit, but most people will likely do better with a traditional rewards credit card.

These Retailers Offer the Best Employee Discounts
Something to consider if you’re job hunting.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to avoid ‘Subscription Creep.’ Also in the news: cost-cutting travel tips to bring together faraway friends, 5 ways bad credit can you keep you from being a functional adult, and how to know when index funds aren’t a good deal.

How to Stem ‘Subscription Creep’
Subscriptions are adding up.

Cost-Cutting Travel Tips to Bring Together Faraway Friends
Planning a great vacation with costs in mind.

5 ways bad credit can keep you from being a functional adult
You’ll have a harder time borrowing.

How to Know When Index Funds Aren’t a Good Deal
Not every fund is created equal.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How bad credit can increase your car costs. Also in the news: Owning Bitcoin creates a complex tax situation, 13 last-ditch ways to avoid the poorhouse in retirement, and the top 7 tax deductions and credits people forget.

Good Driver, Bad Credit: What Makes Your Car Costs So High
It’s not just the monthly payment.

Owning Bitcoin Creates a Complex Tax Situation
Taxing cryptocurrency.

13 Last-Ditch Ways to Avoid the Poorhouse in Retirement
Before it’s too late.

Top 7 Tax Deductions And Credits That People Forget
Leave no deduction behind.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Whittle down your debt while having bad credit. Also in the news: 6 secrets from flight crews to stave off jet lag, what to buy every month of the year in 2018, and 3 ways you can better save for retirement.

Bad Credit? You Still Have Tools to Whittle Down Debt
You must be proactive.

6 Secrets From Flight Crews to Stave Off Travel Exhaustion
Keeping jet lag away.

What to Buy Every Month of the Year in 2018
Plan your shopping accordingly.

3 ways you can save better for retirement
Every penny counts.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 tax tips for new college grads. Also in the news: Why many people don’t know the cost of bad credit, how to travel on the cheap, and the death of payday loans.

7 Tax Tips for New College Grads
It’s a whole new tax world.

How Costly Is Bad Credit? Many Don’t Know, Survey Shows
A look at just how expensive bad credit can be.

To Travel Cheap, Steer Clear of These Booking Flubs
Don’t make these mistakes.

Payday loans are dying. Problem solved? Not quite
The slow death of payday lending.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The high cost of bad credit. Also in the news: 5 tips to finding a cheaper flight, auto-paying bills by credit card, and United States workers are losing out on billions of dollars in pay.

How Costly Is Bad Credit? Many Don’t Know, Survey Shows
Ignorance isn’t bliss.

5 Tips to Find a Cheap Flight
Saving a little extra.

Auto-Paying Bills by Credit Card: Help or Hassle? Yes.
It can be both.

Every year, U.S. workers lose out on billions in pay
Getting what you deserve.

Q&A: Fixing your credit scores after a bankruptcy

Dear Liz: How do you repair credit scores after filing for bankruptcy? My husband and I are in this situation and are looking to reestablish credit and increase our credit scores. Also, how long do closed accounts appear on the credit report?

Answer: Filing for bankruptcy may have actually helped your scores. Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found scores typically plunged in the 18 months before people filed for bankruptcy and rose steadily afterward. The average credit score before someone filed Chapter 7 was 538.2 on Equifax’s 280-to-850 scoring range. By the time filers’ cases were discharged, their average score was 620.3.

You can continue the upward trend with a credit-builder loan. These loans, typically offered by credit unions, put the money you borrow — usually $500 to $1,000 — into a certificate of deposit or savings account that you can claim once you’ve made 12 monthly payments. Your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, so you can build a decent credit history and your savings at the same time. If your local credit union doesn’t offer these loans, check to see if there’s a community development financial institution near you that does. You can find links to these at www.cdfifund.gov. Another option is Self Lender, an online company that makes credit-builder loans.

If you don’t already have a credit card, you can accelerate your scores’ rehabilitation with a secured credit card. You make a deposit, typically $200 to $2,000, with the issuing bank and get a credit line equal to that deposit. You should use the card lightly but regularly, being careful not to charge more than about 30% of its credit limit and paying the balance in full each month.

Another option is to wait until your scores are in the mid-600s and then apply for a regular credit card.

The bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for 10 years, but it will have less effect on your scores as time goes by as long as you continue to use credit responsibly.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

bankruptcy_formToday’s top story: Careers that can help you conquer your student debt faster. Also in the news: What a good credit card company will offer people with bad credit, how to pay for bankruptcy when you’re broke, and five apps that automate your money.

Some Careers Can Help You Conquer Student Debt Faster
Kissing your student debts goodbye.

4 Things a Good Credit Card Issuer Will Offer People With Bad Credit
Getting on the path to better credit.

How to Pay for Bankruptcy When You’re Broke
A classic Catch .22

5 apps that automate your money and make you richer
Building your savings a few cents at a time.