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money moves

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Start 2021 off strong with these smart money moves. Also in the news: What COVID-related credit card help is available in 2021, how businesses can apply for a second PPP loan, and Medicare Advantage open enrollment begins.

Start 2021 Off Strong With These Smart Money Moves
Money resolutions can include filing taxes early, reviewing spending and saving more for retirement.

What COVID-Related Credit Card Help Is Available in 2021?
Most card issuers continue to offer help to those affected by the pandemic — but it’s up to you to ask for it.

How Businesses Can Apply for a Second PPP Loan
Certain hard-hit businesses are eligible to receive a second PPP loan under the new COVID relief package.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Lets You Switch Plans
The annual period runs from Jan. 1 to March 31.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to adjust your school supplies budget for the online classroom. Also in the news: 5 things to do with all that money you haven’t been spending the past few months, is moving now the best financial move for Millennials, and how COVID-19 may impact applying for financial aid.

How to adjust your school supplies budget for the online classroom
A different setting requires different supplies.

5 things to do with all that money you haven’t been spending the past few months
Don’t let that extra money just sit there.

Millennial Money: Is moving now your best financial move?
Reconsidering your living situation.

How COVID-19 May Impact Applying for Financial Aid
Your family’s financial situation may have changed.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: If doing less means saving more, try these 5 money moves. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on 401(k)s and struggling renters, how to diversify investing, and refinance your mortgage now to avoid a new fee.

If Doing Less Means Saving More, Try These 5 Money Moves
If the economic effects of the pandemic have cut your spending, you may have extra savings. Here’s what to do with them.

Smart Money Podcast: Renters Are Struggling, and What to Do With an Old 401(k)
Renters are

How to Diversify Investing in Stocks, Bonds and a Bit Beyond
Looking at alternative investments.

Refinance Your Mortgage Now to Avoid a New Fee
The new fee begins Dec. 1st.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Money moves to help you feel more in control. Also in the news: How to renegotiate your bills to save money, ways for renters to cope in the financial crisis, and how to protect yourself before your federal student loan servicer changes.

Feeling Out of Control? These Money Moves Could Help
Regain control by revising spending, boosting savings and focusing on daily actions instead of long-term outcomes.

How to Renegotiate Your Bills to Save Money

Renters at Risk: Ways to Cope in the Financial Crisis

Protect Yourself Before Your Federal Student Loan Servicer Changes

Feel out of control? These money moves can help

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Behavioral economist Dan Ariely and his colleagues at Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight have a pact. Every week, the group of 50 people picks one small business in Durham, North Carolina, and each person spends $100 there.

A one-time $5,000 infusion wouldn’t make a difference to Amazon, Costco or any other large retailer, but it could be enough to keep a local business afloat, Ariely says. Taking this action helps the group feel that they’re making a difference when so much of the world seems out of control.

“This is, to a large degree, a crisis of Main Street,” says Ariely, the bestselling author of books including “Predictably Irrational.” “We’re taking a retailer and we’re saying, ‘We’re giving you a little bit of breathing room.’”

In my latest for the Associated Press, how to wrest back control from the unpredictability of the pandemic.