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Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if your refund is delayed and your bills aren’t. Also in the news: Former Simple customers undergo a rough transition to BBVA, why a credit card’s looks aren’t everything, and how to keep health insurance after losing your job.

What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed and Your Bills Aren’t
The IRS is running behind.

Former Simple Customers Undergo Rough Transition to BBVA
Things haven’t gone smoothly.

Why a Credit Card’s Looks Aren’t Everything

How to Keep Health Insurance After Losing Your Job
A look at the options.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Navigating car insurance as a transgender or nonbinary driver. Also in the news: How to smooth the transition into retirement, what motherhood taught eight women about money, and how to choose a payment plan when you owe the IRS.

Navigating Car Insurance as a Transgender or Nonbinary Driver
Selecting a gender on a car insurance application isn’t always easy for transgender and nonbinary drivers.

How to Smooth the Transition Into Retirement

What Motherhood Taught Me About Money: 8 Moms Weigh In
Hard-earned wisdom.

How to Choose a Payment Plan When You Owe the IRS
Picking the plan that makes the most sense.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to line up rent aid and a backup plan. Also in the news: Changing the face of the cannabis industry, why you should check your Medicare coverage before traveling again, and when to expect your delayed IRS refund.

How to Line Up Rent Aid — and a Backup Plan
If you owe rent debt, apply for assistance programs but also open talks with your landlord before eviction bans end.

Changing the Face of the Cannabis Industry
The majority of states now have some form of legalized cannabis, whether for medical or recreational use.

Check Your Medicare Coverage Before Traveling Again
Medicare doesn’t cover you everywhere. Make sure you understand where and when you’re insured.

When To Expect Your Delayed IRS Refund
Things are backed up at the IRS.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What gig workers need to know about taxes. Also in the news: 5 credit card red flags to avoid, why financial advisors of color matter, and how to prevent stolen tax returns.

What Gig Workers Need to Know About Taxes
Protect yourself from tax surprises.

5 Credit Card Red Flags to Avoid
Being aware of these credit card warning signs can help you weed out the bad options and potentially save you money.

Why Financial Advisors of Color Matter
Financial advisors of color can help diverse clients gain trust in the financial industry, and ultimately help shrink the wealth gap.

Prevent Stolen Tax Returns With This IRS Tool
Protect your information.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: New Medicare Advantage benefits may be hard to find and to qualify for. Also in the news: 4 questions to ask before refinancing your mortgage, why college aid requests have decreased, and what to do if you haven’t filed your taxes in years.

New Medicare Advantage Benefits May Be Hard to Find — and Qualify For
In 2019, expanded benefits for Medicare Advantage were enabled, but so far few providers offer them.

The Property Line: 4 Questions to Ask Before Refinancing
Would you benefit from refinancing? Answer these four questions to decide.

Why Are Fewer Students Seeking College Aid? They’re Not Going
Undergrad enrollment is down 4%.

What to Do If You Haven’t Filed Your Taxes in Years
You can’t dodge the IRS forever.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How hotel prices changed in 2020 vs. 2019. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney Podcast on emergency loans and the perks of buying local, what to know about EFTs and adding them to your portfolio, and what to do if you receive an unpaid notice from the IRS.

Analysis: How Have Hotel Prices Changed in 2020 vs. 2019?
Hotel prices have dipped significantly.

Smart Money Podcast: Buying Local, and Emergency Loans
How to help local businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

What are ETFs and why you should consider them for your portfolio
Many investments wrapped in a single package.

What to Do if You Receive an Unpaid Notice From the IRS
Don’t panic.