Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to save on school supplies by tapping your community. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on explaining cryptocurrency, how to feel richer (even when you’re not), and where home prices are dropping the most.

How to Save on School Supplies by Tapping Your Community
It’s that time again: back to school, back to spending so much money on supplies.

Smart Money Podcast: What the Heck Is Crypto, Anyway?
In this episode, NerdWallet investing writer Andy Rosen attempts to explain what cryptocurrency is to his family.

5 Ways to Feel Richer (Even If You’re Not)
In some ways, feeling “rich” is less about how many zeroes you have in your bank account and more about knowing how to use them to get what you want out of life.

Cities Where Home Prices Are Dropping the Most
Homeowners are slashing prices in these parts of the country.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: After a fall, crypto winter sets in. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast for kids on where money comes from, can job-hopping help retirement savings, and these states are having a tax-free back to school shopping weekend.

After a Fall, Crypto Winter Sets In
Cryptocurrencies hit a rough patch in 2022, with prices falling and some companies facing serious financial issues.

Smart Money Podcast for Kids: Where Does Money Come From?
This week’s episode we take on money questions from two kids, Ellington and Langston, who want to know where money comes from, where it goes after you spend it and how to decide how much you need to save.

Can Job-Hopping Help Retirement Savings?
Changing jobs often has its pros and cons, but understanding how it hurts or helps your retirement savings can help you make more informed decisions

These States Are Having a Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping Weekend This Month
You may be able to purchase some of your supplies without involving Uncle Sam.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Crypto could be coming to your 401(k). Also in the news: When it comes to your car contract, the devil is in the details, the Travel Nerd on what oil prices mean for your summer travel, and the majority of adults support mandatory personal finance education in schools.

Crypto May Be Coming to Your 401(k) — Here’s What to Know Now
You may soon have access to Bitcoin as an investment in your 401(k). But think about how you react to losses before jumping in.

When It Comes to Your Car Contract, the Devil Is in the Details
Avoid bogus fees and additional charges in your car contract by reading carefully before you sign.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What Do Oil Prices Mean for My Summer Travel?
Airfares are rising, car rentals will cost you. Maybe try a city with good public transit?

88% of adults support requiring personal finance education in high school, survey finds
Starting off on the right foot.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How Millennials can take their money beyond the basics. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on spring money tasks and debt strategies, using your tax refund to pay down debt, and how fear, doubt and uncertainty can derail crypto and investing plans.

How Millennials Can Take Their Money Beyond the Basics
You’ve mastered money management fundamentals, which served you well for a time. But a few tweaks to your finances will make a big difference as you approach your 40s and beyond.

Smart Money Podcast: 3 Spring Money Tasks, and Debt Payoff Options
Check on your money goals. Then learn about several debt payoff strategies, which vary in their effectiveness.

Use Your Tax Refund to Knock Down Debt, Lift Your Finances
Bringing balances down can save on interest, help your credit score and clear the path to reaching financial goals.

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt Can Derail Crypto, Investing Plans
Cryptocurrency investors commonly use the term FUD to describe what they see as unfounded skepticism.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: IRS scraps plan to use ID.me selfies for account verification. Also in the news: How to approach taxes if you traded cryptocurrency in 2021, only 23% of investors align their investments to their values, and how to choose the right cryptocurrency wallet.

IRS Scraps Plan to Use ID.me Selfies for Account Verification
The IRS walks back a directive that would have required taxpayers to submit a video selfie to access their online accounts.

Traded Cryptocurrency in 2021? Here’s How to Approach Taxes
With the tax-filing deadline just a few months away, those who traded cryptocurrency last year should understand their tax liability.

Survey: Just 23% of Investors Align Most Investments to Their Values
Socially responsible investing is gaining in popularity, but there’s a pronounced gap between those who value it and those who actually invest this way.

How to Choose the Right Cryptocurrency Wallet
All your cryptocurrency has to be stored somewhere—here’s how to choose the right crypto wallet for your needs.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What to seek if you don’t like your bank. Also in the news: iPhone Black Friday 2021 deals, how to bank your digital coin, and the best time to buy a Christmas tree this year.

Survey: Most Like Their Bank; What To Seek if You Don’t
“Choosing a bank is a very personal decision, and no two banks are the same,” says Chanelle Bessette, a banking specialist with NerdWallet.

iPhone Black Friday 2021 Deals: Are They Worth It?
At&T is offering a free iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini with eligible trade-in.

From Cryptocurrency to Cash: How to Bank Your Digital Coin
Crypto banking allows consumers to hold and spend cryptocurrency with crypto debit cards.

The Best Time to Buy a Christmas Tree This Year
This year, due to supply chain issues, do it sooner. And bring more cash.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Care about your credit score? Get strategic with card limits. Also in the news: Buy now, pay later traps, and what to know about bitcoin as it approaches $70,000.

Care About Your Credit Score? Get Strategic With Card Limits
Actively managing how much of your credit limits you are using can make a big impact on your credit score.

Watch Out for These Buy Now, Pay Later Traps
Among its pitfalls, buy now, pay later can tempt you to take on too much debt, and it may not help your credit.

What to Know About Bitcoin as It Approaches $70,000
Bitcoin is trading near all-time highs and crossed a record $68,000 at the beginning of this week.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to leave Crypto to a loved one. Also in the news: Black Friday return policies, the October jobs report gives tired travelers a glimmer of hope, and the unexpected way bad credit messes with your life.

How to Leave Crypto to a Loved One
If you don’t make a plan for your cryptocurrency, it could be lost after you die. Here’s how to make sure it gets passed down to a loved one.

As You Shop Black Friday, Keep Return Policies in Mind
Before making purchases this holiday season, consider retailer return policies to save time and money.

October Jobs Report Gives Tired Travelers a Glimmer of Hope
The travel industry is experiencing significant job growth, according to October 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics figures.

The Unexpected Ways a Bad Credit Score Messes With Your Life
Looking beyond mortgages and car loans.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 benefits that could help small businesses keep employees. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on cryptocurrency and improving credit to buy a house, what to buy (and skip) in November, and 4 ways to sustain savings habits from the pandemic.

6 Benefits That Could Help Small Businesses Keep Employees
Convincing your employees to stay.

Smart Money Podcast: 3 Crypto Questions, and Improving Credit to Buy a House
Three questions you should ask yourself before buying crypto or investing in the industry.

What to Buy (and Skip) in November 2021
Black Friday approaches…

4 Ways to Sustain Savings Habits From the Pandemic
Keeping the good habits you built.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should your business start accepting cryptocurrency? Also in the news: 5 features to look for in a personal loan, how the labor shortage could benefit your job hunt, and where to stash your down payment if you’re waiting for the housing market to crash.

Should Your Business Start Accepting Cryptocurrency?
While crypto can be easily adopted by e-commerce businesses, it’s less suited for traditional retail settings.

5 Features to Look For in a Personal Loan
When choosing between multiple low-rate personal loan offers, compare features like discounts and customer service.

Upgrade Your Job: How the Labor Shortage May Benefit You
As employers struggle to fill vacancies in many sectors, it’s a great time to consider changing jobs.

Where to Stash Your Down Payment If You’re Waiting for the Housing Market to Crash
When shopping for a new home, keep your down payment in a low-risk savings account.