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inflation

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How a home improvement fund can upgrade your new house to a home. Also in the news: Single-income couples, and when to use your FSA and HSA, and how rising inflation could mean your home is underinsured.

How a Home Improvement Fund Can Upgrade Your New House to a Home
A home improvement fund can help you be ready for repairs and updates after you buy.

Smart Money Podcast: Single-Income Couples, and When to Use Your FSA and HSA
Moving from two incomes to one is a financial challenge but can offer couples a chance to build their relationship.

Rising Inflation Could Mean Your Home Is Underinsured
Rising construction costs could leave many homeowners without enough insurance. Here’s how to know you have sufficient coverage to rebuild should the worst happen.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Combating inflation, and saving for retirement amid climate change. Also in the news: 3 ways to lessen the impact of inflation on your small business, 3 ways small-business owners will feel a fed rate increase, and how to get on top of planned expenses with sinking funds.

Smart Money Podcast: Combating Inflation, and Saving for Retirement Amid Climate Change
Things may seem grim, but you can still take steps to set yourself up for long-term financial success.

3 Ways to Lessen the Impact of Inflation on Your Small Business
Lessen the impact of inflation on your business by raising your prices, refining your operations and working with a financial advisor.

3 Ways Small-Business Owners Will Feel a Fed Rate Increase
The Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates multiple times in 2022.

Get on Top of Planned Expenses With Sinking Funds
Mapping out big purchases in advance gives you time to save by adding regularly to “sinking funds” for each goal.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story:  How to protect your spending power from inflation. Also in the news: How money red flags can make or break a couple, how Generation Z can jump-start savings, and how to tell if a subscription flight service is worth your money.

How to Protect Your Spending Power From Inflation
So the 7.5% spike seen over the past year in the costs of fuel, used vehicles, groceries and just about everything else is the kind of sudden and systemic rise that can give a jolt to most peoples’ everyday spending.

Money Red Flags Can Make or Break a Couple
If you both can discuss your differences with honesty and empathy, it’s an opportunity to emerge stronger. But some money red flags can’t be ignored.

How Generation Z Can Jump-start Savings (Advice Anyone Can Use)
Start saving early: Begin with a small amount, automate your deposits, earn interest and eventually level up.

How to Tell If a Subscription Flight Service Is Worth Your Money
Alaska Airlines is joining the subscription game with Flight Pass. How good of a deal is it?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Inflation can spell disaster for some 40% of Americans. Also in the news: 5 reasons why ‘Shoulder Season’ is the best time to travel, a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on paying for college, and how a strong college application remains possible even with transcript gaps.

Inflation Can Spell Disaster for Some 40% of Americans
As of December, prices across all goods and services had risen more in a single year than they had in nearly 40 years.

5 Reasons Why ‘Shoulder Season’ Is the Best Time to Travel
Smaller crowds and better deals make the not-quite-offseason a great time to travel.

Smart Money Podcast: How Nerds Choose the Best, and Paying for College
NerdWallet’s Content team leader explains how Best-Of Award winners are chosen and why you can trust our picks.

Transcript Gaps? A Strong College Application Remains Possible
Show colleges the best version of yourself, but also know admissions officers have adapted their expectations.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Here’s which airline rewards program gives the most value. Also in the news: The most valuable hotel rewards program in 2022, 5 steps to strengthen your finances, and despite higher wages, inflation gave the average worker a 2.4% pay cut last year.

Here’s Which Airline Rewards Program Gives the Most Value
Alaska, Frontier and Southwest lead the way on cash value per mile.

The Most Valuable Hotel Rewards Programs in 2022
Radisson Rewards America and World of Hyatt lead the way on key measures of value.

5 Steps to Strengthen Your Finances in 2022
In 2022, setting grand financial goals may not be realistic for every budget, but there are still smart steps you can take to shore up your finances.

Despite higher wages, inflation gave the average worker a 2.4% pay cut last year
Inflation grew 7% in December from a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: A year-end checklist to make the most of retirement age. Also in the news: How the government’s next step to fight inflation could impact savers, myths about iBuyers, and why you shouldn’t spend a dollar to save a nickel on gas.

A Year-End Checklist to Make the Most of Retirement Savings
Age brings unique opportunities and obligations, including some important year-end tasks that can help you make the most of your money.

Inflation Keeps Surging: Government’s Next Step Could Impact Savers
Fed officials project as many as three 0.25 percentage point interest rate hikes in 2022.

The Property Line: Don’t Be Misled by These Myths About iBuyers
They aren’t responsible for runaway house prices and can lessen some seller pain points. So why all the hate for iBuyers?

Don’t Spend a Dollar to Save a Nickel on Gas
It’s about the worst time possible to buy any car unless you absolutely have to.