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Credit Cards

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Smart strategies for fighting back against inflation. Also in the news: Easing into credit cards with a simple cash-back card, Medicare and dental implants, and these 6 psychological biases may be holding you back from building wealth.

Wary of Credit Cards? Ease In With a Simple Cash-Back Card
No-fee, flat-rate cash-back cards offer useful rewards and benefits as beginners learn about credit cards.

Smart Strategies for Fighting Back Against Inflation
Plan purchases carefully and trade variable-rate debt for fixed interest rates to help offset rising prices.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Original Medicare doesn’t cover dental implants, but you may be able to find coverage elsewhere.

These 6 psychological biases may be holding you back from building wealth
How to overcome them.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if your refund is delayed and your bills aren’t. Also in the news: Former Simple customers undergo a rough transition to BBVA, why a credit card’s looks aren’t everything, and how to keep health insurance after losing your job.

What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed and Your Bills Aren’t
The IRS is running behind.

Former Simple Customers Undergo Rough Transition to BBVA
Things haven’t gone smoothly.

Why a Credit Card’s Looks Aren’t Everything

How to Keep Health Insurance After Losing Your Job
A look at the options.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: You may qualify for free or cheaper health insurance now. Also in the news: Big banks join effort to ease path to credit cards, 3 ways technology can help minority-owned businesses recover, and the 12 states ending the extra $300 per week in unemployment benefits.

You May Qualify for Free or Cheaper Health Insurance Now
The latest coronavirus relief package made health insurance free or significantly less costly for millions of people.

Big Banks Join Efforts to Ease Path to Credit Cards
Large lenders are participating in a pilot program allowing them to share bank account information with the credit bureaus, easing access for credit card applicants.

3 Ways Technology Can Help Minority-Owned Businesses Recover
Start by embracing e-commerce.

These 12 States Are Ending the Extra $300 Per Week in Unemployment Benefits
Find out if yours is one of them.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if a credit card issuer lowers your credit limit. Also in the news: Paying off credit cards takes money and the right mindset, how to rethink home and travel if your job is now remote, and when to expect that $3600 in child tax credit checks.

What to Do if a Credit Card Issuer Lowers Your Credit Limit
Your main option is to ask your issuer to reconsider. But there are also some steps you can take to mitigate the effects of a cut and minimize the risk of future ones.

Paying Off Credit Cards Takes Money and the Right Mindset
The right frame of mind is key.

How to Rethink ‘Home’ and ‘Travel’ if Your Job Is Now Remote
Your first thought might be to become a digital nomad or buy a new house to take advantage of your flexible work.

When to Expect That $3,600 in Child Tax Credit Checks
Coming this summer.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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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.

Q&A: Paying taxes with plastic

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Dear Liz: I am selling a rental property that I have owned for several years. I know I could do a 1031 exchange, which would allow me to put off the tax bill by investing in another commercial property. But I just want out. I’ll pay the capital gains tax and invest the rest of the proceeds. I am considering paying the taxes by credit card and taking on the 3% premium to get rewards points offered through the card issuer. Is this a dumb idea, or does it have some merit?

Answer: The companies that process federal tax payments have processing fees of just under 2%, not 3%. You’ll still want to make sure you get more value from your rewards than you pay in fees, and that’s not a given. If your card offers only 1.5% cash back, for example, charging your taxes doesn’t make a lot of sense. But the math changes if you can get more than 2% in rewards, or if you could use the charge to help you meet the minimum spending requirements for a new credit card with a generous sign-up bonus.

If you do charge your taxes, you’ll obviously want to pay the balance in full before incurring any interest.