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holiday shopping

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Medicare’s telehealth experiment could be here to stay. Also in the news: 4 best practices to simplify your small business, how Omicron could impact your travel, and 7 things to buy early this holiday season.

Medicare’s Telehealth Experiment Could Be Here to Stay
An astronomical increase in telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries in 2020 could prompt a reshaping of post-pandemic rules.

Can’t Keep Up? 4 Best Practices to Simplify Your Small Business
These best practices can help small-business owners simplify daily operations, free up time and focus on company growth.

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.

7 Things to Buy Early This Holiday Season
Between limited inventory and shipping delays, here’s what you need to buy early this holiday shopping season.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The surprising change in airfares since last year. Also in the news: Smart Money Podcast on holiday shopping report and retirement plan options for self-employed people, and Fitbit Black Friday 2021 deals.

The Surprising Change in Airfares Since Last Year
Airfares dropped 4.6% in terms of unadjusted percent change between October 2020 and 2021.

Smart Money Podcast: Holiday Shopping Trends and Self-Employed Retirement Options
A discussion about NerdWallet’s holiday shopping report and money question on retirement plan options for self-employed people.

Fitbit Black Friday 2021 Deals: Are They Worth It?
Kohl’s will throw in Kohl’s Cash with Fitbit purchases.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: When a will won’t work. Also in the news: 6 gift categories unaffected by supply chain delays, 3 ways to tap the unexpected equity in your leased car, and alternatives to backdoor Roths.

When a Will Won’t Work
Consider the limitations of a will when making arrangements for your final wishes.

6 Gift Categories Unaffected by Supply Chain Delays
Products from local businesses, handmade items and digital gifts are among the categories unaffected by delays.

3 Ways to Tap the Unexpected Equity in Your Leased Car
Despite new restrictions on selling to a third-party dealer, you do have options for accessing leased car equity.

Congress Is Targeting Backdoor Roths. Here Are Some Alternatives
The backdoor Roth, or Roth conversion, helps high earners move money into investments that can grow tax-free.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How the toy shortage could affect your holiday. Also in the news: How to pay for home improvements without equity, 3 free ways to run your business more smoothly, and how to save money like a ‘super saver’.

How the Toy Shortage Could Affect Your Holidays
Popular toys could be hard to find this holiday season because of supply chain issues, so planning is key.

How to Pay for Home Improvements Without Equity
Hoping to buy a home? Strategizing how you’ll pay for home improvements now can save you stress later.

3 Free Ways to Run Your Business More Smoothly
These three ideas can help your business operate more smoothly without costing you any money.

How to Save Money Like a ‘Super Saver’
If you want to save a super amount, do what so-called “super savers” do.

How the toy shortage could affect your holidays

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Many popular toys may sell out long before the holidays, thanks to ongoing pandemic-related disruptions. This could be a disaster — or a great opportunity to reshape how we celebrate.

We can shop earlier and more thoughtfully, resisting the last-minute scramble for “must-have” items that really aren’t. We can choose classic over trendy, handmade over mass-produced. We can swap experiences for stuff and even make this a learning opportunity for our kids.

In my latest for the Associated Press, strategies that could result in a saner, less-stressful holiday.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The end of student loan forbearance will be tougher on women. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on what people get wrong about credit and how to build a budget when you’re self-employed, 5 misconceptions about how insurers price your auto premium, and start your holiday savings now to skip the regret later.

The End of Student Loan Forbearance Will Be Tougher on Women
Over a million women have had to drop out of the workforce

Smart Money Podcast: What People Get Wrong About Credit, and Self-Employed Budgeting
A discussion about what people get wrong when it comes to managing their credit — and how they can improve their credit the right way.

5 Misconceptions About How Insurers Price Your Auto Premium
Getting to the truth.

Start Holiday Savings Now, and Skip the Regret Later
Between now and December, these money-saving strategies can keep you from taking on additional debt or overspending.