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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to get what you want at your next job. Also in the news: Medicare to offer free at home COVID-19 tests in early spring, how your parents’ debt could outlive them, and what you need to know before you claim your child tax credit this season.

How to Get What You Want at Your Next Job
Before you start polishing your resume, here are tips from career coaches on being strategic with your job search, preparing for negotiations and asking for what you want.

Medicare to Offer Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests in Early Spring
Members will be eligible for eight free over-the-counter tests per month through local pharmacies.

How Your Parents’ Debt Could Outlive Them
Should you fear ‘filial responsibility’ laws?

What You Need to Know Before You Claim Your Child Tax Credit This Filing Season
The child tax credit was expanded up to $3,600 for the 2021 tax year. Here’s how to claim yours.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Should you pack your COVID-19 vaccine card for your next trip? Also in the news: A Travel Nerd on Basic Economy, 4 cash-raising pitfalls, and what to do if you haven’t received your child tax credit.

Should You Pack Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card for Your Next Trip?
Travelers likely won’t need to prove their vaccination status for most trips, but there are some exceptions.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What’s the Deal With Basic Economy?
Every airline has different rules, but you usually can’t change or cancel basic economy fares.

4 Cash-Raising Pitfalls (and Better Options)
When you need cash fast, stop briefly to understand which options can hurt you more in the long term.

What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Child Tax Credit
Don’t panic just yet.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How digital estate planning can protect your online life. Also in the news: How to afford the summer of your dreams by building a budget, child tax credits start hitting US families’ bank accounts, and why you should negotiate your real estate agent’s commission in a hot market.

How Digital Estate Planning Can Protect Your Online Life
Name a digital executor and make sure you leave an inventory and login info so valuables and keepsakes aren’t lost.

Afford the Summer of Your Dreams by Building a Budget
To have fun in the sun without getting financially burned, set up a budget for now and later.

Child tax credit starts hitting US families’ bank accounts
Help arrives for parents.

Why You Should Negotiate Your Real Estate Agent’s Commission in a Hot Market
Taking advantage of a seller’s market.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Are cash offers better for home sellers? Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on savings tips and the Child Tax Credit, 4 smart insurance moves for hurricane season, and how to find unclaimed money that’s owed to you.

Are Cash Offers Better for Sellers?
An all-cash offer for your home might seem like the golden ticket, but take the time to weigh all your options.

Smart Money Podcast: Savings Tips and Updates to the Child Tax Credit
Saving money can involve both cutting expenses and knowing how to make saving easier for you.

4 Smart Insurance Moves to Make for Hurricane Season
Checking your coverage and deductibles in advance can help you protect yourself financially.

How to Find Unclaimed Money That’s Owed to You
Finding your unclaimed property.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How the pandemic has shaken up retirement. Also in the news: 6 steps for financial spring cleaning, what to know if you’re listing your home in 2021, and how to avoid having to pay back the $3600 child tax credit.

How the Pandemic Has Shaken Up Retirement
When to retire isn’t always in our control, but too early an exit can bring financial instability.

6 Steps for Financial Spring Cleaning, Pandemic-Style
This year, spring cleaning includes reevaluating your budget, updating insurance and setting new goals.

Listing Your Home in 2021? Here’s What to Know
Roughly 1 in 6 (17%) homeowners plan on selling their home in the next 18 months.

How To Avoid Having to Pay Back the $3,600 Child Tax Credit
Find out how the credit works.