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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Concerned about Coronoavirus? How to prepare your house, mind and bank account. Also in the news: 3 ways Millennials are getting money right, what to buy (and skip) in March, and 6 moves to make if you’ve saved more than $1,000 in your checking account.

Concerned About Coronavirus? How to Prepare Your House, Mind and Bank Account
Practical steps.

3 Ways Millennials Are Getting Money Right
Forget the avocado toast trope.

What to Buy (and Skip) in March
Deep discounts on tax software.

If You’ve Saved More Than $1,000 in Your Checking Account, Make These 6 Moves
Don’t let it sit there.

Should you shift to a cash management account?

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High-yield cash management accounts are popping up at brokerages nationwide, promising customers much better returns and higher insurance limits than they can get from traditional banks.

The accounts are a twist on the sweep accounts brokerages have long offered their customers, where idle cash is swept into a money market account or affiliated bank account so it can earn interest while waiting to be reinvested.

In my latest for the Associated Press, more on high-yield cash management accounts and how to decide if one is right for you.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How ex-offenders can rebuild with a bank account. Also in the news: Determining how much you should spend on rent, how to have a baby even if you’re worried you can’t afford it, and how to handle awkward financial conversations.

How Ex-Offenders Can Rebuild With a Bank Account
Starting over.

How Much Should I Spend on Rent?
How to determine what you really can afford.

How to have a baby, even if you’re worried you can’t afford it
Advice from new parents and financial experts.

How to handle that awkward financial conversation
When to swallow your pride.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: When leasing a car is the more frugal option. Also in the news: How to actually achieve your debt payoff resolution, 5 basic features you should expect from your bank, and holiday debt could take years to pay off.

When Leasing a Car Is the More Frugal Option
Car buying has changed enough over the years that leasing may no longer be the costliest choice.

How to Actually Achieve Your Debt Payoff Resolution
Start the new year on the right foot.

5 Basic Features You Should Expect From Your Bank
Services you should expect.

Holiday debt could take years to pay off
Here come the bills.

Q&A: How deposit insurance limits work

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Dear Liz: My parents, who are in their 80s, just moved and are about to sell their former home. Their net gain from the sale will be approximately $400,000. I am advocating they put this money in a high-yield savings account as capital preservation is key. I know an individual account is insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000. But if we set it up so they are joint account holders, would the FDIC insurance limit on that one account rise to $500,000?

Answer: Yes. The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution and per ownership category. Ownership categories include single accounts, joint accounts, certain retirement accounts such as IRAs, revocable trust accounts and irrevocable trust accounts, among others. Each depositor in a joint savings account is covered up to $250,000, so a couple would have $500,000 of coverage.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Speedier payment systems could curb your costs. Also in the news: Black Friday vs. Prime Day: How they stack up, 5 signs an online loan is a debt trap, and everything you need to know about your 2020 taxes.

Speedier Payment Systems Could Curb Your Costs
Real-time payments could save Americans billions.

Black Friday vs. Prime Day: How They Stack Up
71% of Americans plan to shop on Black Friday.

5 Signs an Online Loan Is a Debt Trap
Look for the warning signs.

Here’s everything you need to know about your 2020 taxes
There’s a new tax code.