Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to make more green at your next yard sale. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on using points to travel in luxury, what to do when you can’t afford car insurance, and these seven banks reimburse ATM fees.

How to Make More Green at Your Next Yard Sale
A successful yard sale involves hours of preparation and plenty of hard work.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Travel Diaries: Use Points to Fly in Luxury
Liz talks with NerdWallet travel writer Elina Geller about how she books international travel on points alone.

What to Do if You Can’t Afford Car Insurance
Don’t drop your insurance. Instead, start by contacting your insurer about payment options and discounts.

These Seven Banks Reimburse ATM Fees
Because why should you have to pay money to get access to your money?

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why rising car prices make gap insurance worth a look. Also in the news: The fed interest rate hike, and what a credit card authorized user is, how to apply for a credit card, and how to handle a windfall.

Why Rising Car Prices Make Gap Insurance Worth a Look
If your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more than it’s worth, gap insurance can help pay the difference.

Smart Money Podcast: The Fed Interest Rate Hike, and What’s a Credit Card Authorized User?
Higher interest rates may affect your mortgage and credit card payments, as well as everyday finances.

How to Apply for a Credit Card: Questions You’ll Be Asked
Applying for a credit card isn’t hard, but it helps to know in advance what information you’ll need.

‘Where’d the Money Go?’ How to Handle a Windfall
A windfall can either be a lifeline to short-term financial relief or a stepping stone to long-term financial stability.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 homebuying lessons from last year’s unsuccessful buyers. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on No Spend Month and making money while raising kids, why you can expect to pay more for car insurance this year, and why banks are eliminating overdraft fees.

5 Homebuying Lessons From Last Year’s Unsuccessful Buyers
Buying a home in 2022 won’t be easy, but learning from last year’s challenges might give you the edge that you need to succeed.

Smart Money Podcast: No-Spend Month, and Making Money While Raising Kids
How to make a no-spend month work for you.

Why You Can Expect to Pay More for Car Insurance This Year
Rising car prices, supply-chain and labor shortages, plus minimal rate increases last year are leading to an expected surge in car insurance costs.

Why Banks Are Eliminating Overdraft Fees
More banks are reducing or eliminating overdraft fees on customer accounts because of increased competition.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: The FAFSA, your ticket to help pay for college, just opened. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on negotiating and volatile car valuations, what to buy and skip in October, and how car insurance works after a natural disaster.

The FAFSA, Your Ticket to Help Pay for College, Just Opened
The FAFSA opened Oct. 1. Apply as soon as possible to be considered for the most available free money for college.

Smart Money Podcast: Haggling Tips and What’s Driving Volatile Car Valuation
How to negotiate.

What to Buy (and Skip) in October 2021
Tricks and treats.

How Car Insurance Works After a Natural Disaster
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from disasters like floods and wildfires, but other coverage options may offer peace of mind.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: A Roth IRA could help you avoid taxes like the ultrawealthy. Also in the news: How one DUI can nearly double your car insurance, the Child Tax Credit scam, and flying first class for cheap(er) right now.

A Roth IRA Could Help You Avoid Taxes Like the Ultrawealthy
You, too, could lower your tax burden with the right investment account.

One DUI Can Nearly Double Your Car Insurance — Here’s How to Save
On average, auto insurance rates skyrocket 96% after a DUI, our 2021 rate analysis found.

Scam Alert: Child Tax Credit Is Automatic; No Need to Apply
The IRS won’t call, text or email you so beware of unsolicited communications.

You Can Fly First Class for Cheap(er) Right Now
Luxury travel is a bit more accessible.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Navigating car insurance as a transgender or nonbinary driver. Also in the news: How to smooth the transition into retirement, what motherhood taught eight women about money, and how to choose a payment plan when you owe the IRS.

Navigating Car Insurance as a Transgender or Nonbinary Driver
Selecting a gender on a car insurance application isn’t always easy for transgender and nonbinary drivers.

How to Smooth the Transition Into Retirement

What Motherhood Taught Me About Money: 8 Moms Weigh In
Hard-earned wisdom.

How to Choose a Payment Plan When You Owe the IRS
Picking the plan that makes the most sense.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How much car insurance do you really need? Also in the news: As major credit card issuers pull back amid COVID, startups stepped in, reboot your budget to prepare for reopening, and when to expect a refund for your $10,200 unemployment tax break.

How Much Car Insurance Do You Really Need?
Too little car insurance and you’re financially vulnerable. But too much, and you’ll overpay. Here’s what to know.

As Major Credit Card Issuers Pulled Back Amid COVID, Startups Stepped In
Some products that were launched or expanded in 2020 don’t bother with credit checks at all and instead look at your income and bank account. They also charge no interest.

Reboot Your Budget to Prepare for Reopening
As states ease COVID restrictions and vaccinations pick up, here’s why it’s time to take a look at your finances.

When To Expect a Refund for Your $10,200 Unemployment Tax Break
What will happen if you filed your taxes before the new stimulus.

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.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: These savings accounts give you a chance to win cash. Also in the news: How to pull off a month of no spending, how young drivers can steer clear of costly car insurance, and how to find legal advice if you can’t afford a lawyer.

These Savings Accounts Give You a Chance to Win Cash
Learn about prized-linked savings accounts.

Should you try a ‘Frugal February’? How to pull off a month of no spending
It can be a good way to get your finances — and priorities — back on track

How young drivers can steer clear of costly car insurance
Finding a good deal on good coverage.

How To Find Legal Advice If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
Legal aid helps low-income people.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 credit card trends to watch in 2021. Also in the news: 7 smart ways to cut car costs in 2021, vague financial resolutions to avoid, and 5 ways young drivers can save on car insurance.

5 Credit Card Trends to Watch for in 2021
Hello, world; goodbye, sweatpants? In 2021, credit cards will appeal to travelers, credit builders and technophiles.

7 Smart Ways to Cut Car Costs in 2021
Easy ways to bring down your automobile costs.

Avoid These Vague Financial Resolutions in 2021
Be more specific.

5 Ways Young Drivers Can Save on Car Insurance
Here’s how to lower your auto insurance costs, even if you’re in your early 20s.