Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 lessons I wish I’d learned sooner about booking travel. Also in the news: A scrap of hope for distressed home buyers, is buying a car a two-person job, and the best Amazon Prime benefits you don’t know about.

3 Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner About Booking Travel
Here are three hard-won travel lessons.

A Scrap of Hope for Distressed Home Buyers
The first half of 2022 was a catastrophe for home buyers.

Is Buying a Car a 2-Person Job?
Bringing a friend to buy a car isn’t a bad idea — unless they don’t provide the right support.

The Best Amazon Prime Benefits You Don’t Know About
If you’re going to sell your soul to Amazon, you might as well get everything you can out of the deal.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: More than half of travelers have the same New Year’s resolution. Also in the news: Saving on a new car from the factory, how to travel to Super Bowl LVI on a budget, and how to help your parents navigate health care in retirement.

More Than Half of Travelers Have the Same New Year’s Resolution
Remote work options will enable many people to travel in ways they couldn’t in the past.

Order a New Car From the Factory and Save
Waiting a few weeks or months gets you the vehicle you want, and perhaps a better price.

How to Travel to Super Bowl LVI on a Budget
If you splurged on tickets to the big game, here’s how to save on your flights and hotel.

How to Help Your Parents Navigate Health Care in Retirement
Try these tips to be the best advocate for your parents when and if they need your help.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Can I deduct Medicare costs on my income tax? Also in the news: Is a personal loan or home equity loan right for your reno, the high price of money shame, and steps to take before you go to a car dealership if your credit score isn’t great.

Can I Deduct Medicare Costs on My Income Tax?
If you itemize, premiums, copayments, and certain other expenses may be deductible.

Is a Personal Loan or Home Equity Loan Right for Your Reno?
The best financing depends on your financial situation, including your income, credit and how much equity you have.

The High Price of Money Shame
Simply naming the emotions you feel about financial mistakes is a step toward breaking the cycle and taking control.

If Your Credit Score Isn’t Great, Take These Steps Before You Go To A Dealership
Walk in fully prepared.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Choosing the right vehicle for your off-road adventures. Also in the news: Why a new fee shouldn’t stop you from refinancing your mortgage, what to do when you’ve paid off your credit card debt, and how to manage any credit card debt you may have racked up the last few months.

Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Off-Road Adventures
A versatile SUV can take you almost anywhere, but prepare for trade-offs the farther you venture off-road.

The Property Line: Don’t Let New Fee Stop You From Refinancing
Millions of homeowners could still benefit from refinancing their mortgages to get a lower interest rate.

You paid off all of your credit card debt—what to do next?
Don’t cut up those cards just yet.

How to manage any credit card debt you may have racked up the last few months
Talk to your lenders.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to do when your Coronavirus stockpile runs low. Also in the news: How expanded Coronavirus unemployment benefits work, buy a car at a safe distance with a No-Touch deal, and how to lift or cancel a credit freeze.

What to Do When Your Coronavirus Stockpile Runs Low
Shopping strategically.

How Expanded Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Work
Understanding the CARES Act.

Buy a Car at a Safe Distance With a ‘No-Touch’ Deal
Car buying moves online.

How to Lift or Cancel a Credit Freeze
Thawing your credit.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Turn your next car purchase into a vacation. Also in the news: The new version of layaway, how soon you’ll recover from holiday spending, and why Travelex users need to lock down their financial information right now.

Turn Your Next Car Purchase Into a Vacation
The car you want might be cheaper in another state.

You can have the item now. But can you really afford it?
There’s a new version of layaway.

How Soon Will My Credit Recover From Holiday Spending?
It’s going to take a bit.

Travelex Users: Lock Down Your Financial Info Right Now
A serious data breach.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Buy a real car now before they become extinct. Also in the news: How Shea Couleé of ‘Drag Race’ fashions her finances, 8 credit card strategies, and 3 things to do when you get a salary increase.

Buy a Real Car Now Before They Become Extinct
Sedans are disappearing.

Money/Makers Q&A: How Shea Couleé of ‘Drag Race’ Fashions Her Finances
Drag isn’t cheap.

8 Credit Card Strategies — And Some Surprises, Too
Strategic uses to improve your life.

3 Things to Do When You Get a Salary Increase
Celebrate, then plan.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Writing a will? How to stop stalling and get it done. Also in the news: Hidden financing traps in car shopping, how to protect yourself in the Words with Friends data breach, and the big wedding expense nearly half of married couples regret.

Writing a Will? How to Stop Stalling and Get It Done
Make things easier for your loved ones.

Car Shopping? Don’t Fall for These Hidden Financing Traps
Avoiding the extended warranty trap.

How to Protect Yourself in the ‘Words with Friends’ Data Breach
200 million users are affected.

Nearly half of married couples regret this big wedding expense
This one might surprise you.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Car buyers could save thousands with just an hour of research. Also in the news: Home affordability is boxing out Americans who dream of relocating, the 15 best and worst US cities for young families, and why you should plan now to deal with holiday credit card debt.

Car Buyers Could Save $2,000 (or More) With an Hour of Research
60 minutes could save you thousands.

Survey: Home Affordability Boxes Out Americans Who Dream of Relocating
Almost 25% of Americans would like to relocate.

The 15 best—and worst—US cities for young, growing families
Is the West Coast the best coast?

Make a plan now to deal with holiday credit card debt. Here are four tips to follow.
The holidays are right around the corner.