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private student loans

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How a travel agent can help your COVID-Era travel plans. Also in the news: A beginner’s guide to travel insurance, possible relief for private student loan borrowers and what’s causing the GameStop stock frenzy.

How a Travel Agent Can Help Your COVID-Era Travel Plans
Travel agents can help you navigate coronavirus-related restrictions and make canceling trips easier.

A Beginner’s Guide to Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help cover costs for unexpected events like cancellations, trip delays and medical care.

Will There Be Relief for Private Student Loan Borrowers?
It doesn’t look good.

What’s Causing the GameStop Stock Trading Frenzy?
An explainer.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Fear of bankruptcy holds too many people back. Also in the news: Saving for a down payment is only the start for homeowners, pressing pause on private student loans, and it’s time to revise your pandemic budget.

Fear of Bankruptcy Holds Too Many People Back
Many people could benefit from bankruptcy relief but don’t file because of fear, myths or misplaced optimism.

For Homeowners, Saving a Down Payment Is Only the Start
The down payment is just one cost to save for.

Should You Press Pause on Private Student Loans?
Forbearance isn’t the only way to get a more manageable private student loan payment.

It’s Time to Revise Your Pandemic Budget
Budgeting is more important than ever.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Mortgage outlook for August. Also in the news: Why graduate students need to mind their mental health this fall, your best shot at lowering the cost of private student loans, and how to get help with missing coronavirus relief payments.

Mortgage Outlook: Recession Presses Down on August Rates
Likely record lows for the third consecutive month.

Graduate Students: Mind Your Mental Health This Fall
Recognizing stressors and using university resources may help during this time of uncertainty.

Refinancing now is your best shot at lowering the cost of private student loans
Take advantage of record low interest rates.

Get Help With Missing Coronavirus Relief Payments
What to do if you still haven’t received your check.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to tell if that ‘contact tracer’ is really a scammer. Also in the news: Don’t wait to refinance these student loans, why you should aim for 1% credit utilization, and the $600 unemployment boost is likely ending. Here’s how you can access cash now.

Is That ‘Contact Tracer’ Really a Scammer? How to Tell
How to keep yourself.

Don’t Wait to Refinance These Student Loans
You could save money on your private loans.

Why You Should Aim for 1% Credit Utilization
The lower the better.

The $600 unemployment boost is likely ending. Here’s how you can access cash now
Barring an extension from Congress, the boost will end this week.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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61Io5+dfZZL._SL1500_Today’s top story: How to tackle private student loans. Also in the news: Re-evaluating your life insurance needs, a potentially embarrassing new way to pay with a credit card, and ten retirement saving strategies you should know about.

3 Ways to Tackle Private Student Loans
A whole different set of rules.

Re-Evaluating Your Life Insurance Needs
Determining how much insurance you need at different stages of your life.

MasterCard Wants You To Pay For Stuff With Selfies
What could possibly go wrong?

10 Retirement Saving Strategies You Should Know About
How to grow your savings faster.

In debt and need cash? Payday loans are not your only option. RSVP for the NerdWallet & NAACP webinar on March 1 at 5pm to learn about alternatives.

Don’t pay for student loan help

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Customer Support liarI just got another recorded call from a woman who cheerfully told me that my student loans had been “flagged” to qualify for a new federal program, just approved by Congress, to help me pay my debt. The fact that I’ve never had a student loan is, surely, just a minor detail.

People fall for these scams all the time, paying good money to get help they could have found for free. Right now, there’s a free student loan hotline you can call to get your questions answered and find out about your options. It’s available today, tomorrow and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Eastern. Check it out at The Borrowers Hotline.

If you miss the hotline window, you can find answers to your questions at the U.S. Department of Education and at Student Loan Borrower Assistance, a site run by the National Consumer Law Center.