This week’s money news

This week’s top story: Smart Money podcast on smart ways to get out of debt, and pet insurance planning. In other news: Not enough homes are for sale, so let’s pay owners to sell, how to pay for an expensive summer move, and growing loyalty programs mean more travelers competing for perks.

Smart Money Podcast: Smart Ways to Get Out of Debt, and Pet Insurance Planning
Personal finance Nerd Tommy Tindall joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss alternative ways to pay off debt when you can’t get a personal loan.

Not Enough Homes Are for Sale, so Let’s Pay Owners to Sell
Tax credits could encourage people to sell their homes in a meager housing market.

How to Pay for an Expensive Summer Move
A credit card or personal loan can help you pay for a pricey summer move, but pay attention to interest rates and trim costs where you can.

Growing Loyalty Programs Mean More Travelers Competing for Perks
If you thought it’s been harder to get upgrades or lounges have been more crowded lately, you’re not alone.

Q&A: Dumping debt could make you ‘credit invisible.’ Why that’s a problem and how to fix it

Dear Liz: I have a credit card issue that I’ve not been able to resolve and hope that you can provide some helpful suggestions. I am a debt-free senior. I owe nothing on my house or vehicles and I pay off my one credit card each month. I’ve no missing payments on utilities. My credit card reduced my credit limit last year saying that my credit scores were too low. In fact they’ve fallen from 800s to 600s over the last year. The bank that issues my business credit card says they use an algorithm that allows no human interaction for adjustments for people like me who are debt-free. Any suggestions?

Answer: Many people who once had good credit become “credit invisible” if they’ve paid off all their loans and stopped using credit cards.

But regularly using a credit card or two should be enough to stay visible to the credit score algorithms and to keep good scores. The problem may be the type of card you’re using. Business credit cards often don’t show up on personal credit reports, so your use of the card wouldn’t be included in credit score calculations. If that’s the case, consider applying for a personal card to start rebuilding your scores.

The other possibility is that you’ve become the victim of identity theft. Please check your credit reports at the three major credit bureaus. You can do so for free by typing AnnualCreditReport.com into your browser window or by calling (877) 322-8228.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 times debt can be a helpful tool. Also in the news: How to buy stuff that lasts, how to plan for big expenditures, and how small daily purchases really affect your long-term finances.

3 times debt can be a helpful tool
When debt serves a purpose.

How to Buy Stuff That Lasts
Finding truly reliable and durable products isn’t always easy.

How to Afford Big-Ticket Items for the Year
If you need to make a big purchase this year, such as furniture or an appliance, plan around sales and your budget.

How Much Do Small, Daily Purchases Really Affect Your Long-Term Finances?
Your avocado toast or morning coffee is not to blame for your debt.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t let Black Friday debt trigger post-holiday blues. Also in the news: Things to do by year-end for your investments, November mortgage rates continue to rise, and how to shop now and get Black Friday prices later.

Don’t Let Black Friday Debt Trigger Post-Holiday Blues
Prioritize needs, budget your spending, then make a savings plan for next year’s expenses.

Investing Checklist: Things to Do by Year-End
Implementing investing strategies before the end of the year can help maximize your money.

Mortgage Outlook: November Rates Continue Marching Uphill
Rates continue to rise.

You Can Shop Now, and Get Black Friday Prices Later
A few major retailers will retroactively match Black Friday deals.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: AARP credit card holders endure bumpy move to Barclays from Chase. Also in the news: 5 steps to level up your side hustle, how much it really costs to drive a new car, and one couple’s journey to tame their debt.

AARP Credit Card Holders Endure Bumpy Move to Barclays From Chase
Barclays apologizes for long call hold times, card transition woes. Issuer beefs up call support.

5 Steps to Level Up Your Side Hustle
Growing your side gig into a legit business requires research, planning and organization.

How Much Does It Really Cost to Drive a New Car?
A 5% increase in car ownership costs means your budget should include more than the monthly payment.

How I Ditched Debt: Pandemic After Payoff Tests Couple’s Resilience
One couple’s journey to tame their debt.

The high price of money shame

The U.S. suicide rate has risen dramatically in recent years, and certified money coach Tammy Lally of Washington, D.C., is convinced money shame is a contributing factor.

Lally’s brother died by suicide in 2007 after receiving a foreclosure notice. Shortly afterward, Lally’s mortgage business collapsed in the Great Recession. She says she went from driving a Mercedes and living in an oceanfront house to filing for bankruptcy.

“It blew me away, the level of pain and sadness that I was experiencing,” Lally says. “I didn’t tell anybody. I was pretending like nothing was going on.”

In my latest for the Associated Press, the origins of money shame and what can be done about it.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to handle debt in an unequal recovery. Also in the news: 6 ways to save at the pump, worrying about the right thing with estate taxes, and 4 in 10 Americans are struggling financially one year after the pandemic began.

How to Handle Debt in an Unequal Recovery
Navigating the K-shaped economy.

Put the Cap on Gas Prices: 6 Ways to Save at the Pump
Here’s how experts recommend managing your fuel budget with oil prices on the rise.

Worry About the Right Thing With Estate Taxes
Few people pay estate or gift taxes, but many benefit from an inheritance tax break that may be axed.

4 in 10 Americans struggling financially, one year after coronavirus struck the U.S.
How things look a year later.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Unwelcome income tax surprises may await those with debt. Also in the news: Knowing what’s in your EFT, 10 factors affecting COVID era travel in 2021, and why home buyers shouldn’t skip the inspection.

Unwelcome Tax Surprises May Await Those With Debt
Americans carrying debt can also end up owing more taxes than they anticipate.

Are You Sure You Know What’s in Your ETF?

What’s in a name? Not much, if we’re talking ETFs. Here’s how to see exactly what your ETF is investing in.
10 Factors Affecting COVID-Era Travel in 2021
Traveling during COVID-19 means making more advance reservations and planning for vaccine or testing rules.

Eager Buyers Are Skipping Home Inspections. Is It Too Risky?
Waiving the home inspection gives sellers one less worry, but costs buyers the chance to uncover pricey problems.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic. Also in the news: The fairness of airline fees, the influence of 2020 on investing, and how to avoid paying certain car dealership fees.

How to Prioritize Debt Payments in the Pandemic
The rules have changed.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Are Airline Fees Fair?
The process of buying a plane ticket can be misleading because you aren’t shown all of the fees upfront.

Will 2020 Make Us More Empathetic Investors?
Investment dollars can make an impact, so be sure your impact is a good one.

Avoid Paying These Car Dealership Fees
Know which fees you have to pay, which ones you can negotiate, and which ones you can avoid altogether.

How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic

A singular crisis has led to extraordinary relief options for borrowers. Interest and payments have been paused on federal student loans. Homeowners can request nearly a year of mortgage forbearance. Credit card issuers and other lenders dramatically expanded hardship programs.

Still, many Americans say they took on more debt last year because of the pandemic, according to NerdWallet’s household debt survey.

If you are one of them, or if you have other household debt that’s been put on hold, you may not want to rush to pay that money back even if you can. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to be strategic when dealing with pandemic-related and other debt.