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holiday giving

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Omicron, travel bans and how they could impact your travel. Also in the news: What to buy (and skip) in December, how diversification can help manage crypto risks, and how to sustain generosity beyond the holidays.

Omicron, Travel Bans and How They Could Impact Your Trip
As countries rush to impose travel bans amid the omicron COVID-19 variant, here’s what you need to know.

What to Buy (and Skip) in December 2021
Smart shopping for the holidays.

Beyond Bitcoin: Diversification Can Help Manage Crypto Risks
It can be complicated to build a diversified portfolio in this novel and volatile space, but there are ways to pull it off.

How to Sustain Generosity Beyond the Holidays
Being smart about holiday giving.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story:  Prices are skyrocketing, and how to lessen the impact. Also in the news: How to talk to your parents about estate planning, air fryer Black Friday 2021 deals, and why travel insurance is a great holiday gift to yourself.

Prices Are Skyrocketing: Here’s How to Lessen the Impact
Inflation reached a 30-year high in October, according to fresh CPI data from the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why (and How) to Talk to Your Parents About Estate Planning
Help ensure that everything plays out the way Mom and Dad would want.

Air Fryer Black Friday 2021 Deals: Are They Worth It?
Target is discounting a 5-quart air fryer by $60, and Macy’s has air fryers starting at $24.99.

Consider Gifting Yourself Travel Insurance Ahead of the Holidays
Buy yourself some peace of mind by getting travel insurance, either through your credit card or a full policy.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Will your taxes go up or down under the new tax rules? Also in the news: Freezing your child’s credit, 3 safe, easy ways to gift money for the holidays, and how much you should have saved at every age.

Will Your Taxes Go Up or Down Under the New Tax Rules?
Where do you stand?

Should You Freeze Your Child’s Credit?
Protecting your child’s identity.

3 Safe, Easy Ways to Gift Money This Holiday Season
Easy holiday giving.

How Much Should You Have Saved at Every Age?
How are you doing so far?

Six mistakes people make when giving to charity

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Christmas donation, Concept of charityHere is a helpful rule of thumb for donating to charities this holiday season: Take your time.

People waste billions of dollars on inefficient, poorly run or downright fraudulent charities because they do not bother to research where their money is going.

And even donations to legitimate causes can be squandered by last-minute, impulsive or scattershot giving, said Daniel Borochoff, president and founder of nonprofit watchdog Charity Watch (www.charitywatch.org/).

In my latest for Reuters, why you should carefully consider your holiday donations.