Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Best tips for saving for retirement at any age. Also in the news: Rewards are now standard on starter cards, how to outsmart porch pirates, and watching out for fake COVID-19 testing sites.

Best Tips for Saving for Retirement — at Any Age
It’s never too late — or too early — to make sound financial decisions and get yourself set up for retirement. Here we cover the best moves to make in your 20s and 30s, your 40s and 50s, and your 60s and 70s.

On Starter Cards, Rewards Are Now Standard. Here’s Why
There’s no need to wait until you qualify for a traditional card to earn rewards. You can do it while building credit.

8 ways to outsmart package-thieving porch pirates over the holidays
Take these steps to keep your packages safe

Watch Out for Fake COVID-19 Testing Sites
Scammers are after both your money and your identity.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should I pay for my hotel using cash, points or both? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on fake reviews and saving too much, 5 travel writers draft their favorite airlines, and where to get relief if there isn’t a second stimulus check.

Should I Pay for My Hotel Using Cash, Points or Both?
Here’s how you can figure out which booking option offers the best value.

Smart Money Podcast: Fake Reviews and Saving ‘Too Much’
How to tell if that review is sincere.

5 Travel Writers ‘Draft’ Their Favorite Airlines
In the spirit of the popular sports-related pastime, we’ve created our own fantasy airline draft.

Where to Get Relief if There Isn’t a Second Stimulus Check
Look for aid locally.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Capital One letting you use miles on takeout, delivery, and streaming. Also in the news: Coronavirus auto insurance refunds – how much to expect, how to school kids on money lessons during the outbreak, and how to check if you’re eligible for food stamps.

Capital One Letting You Use Miles on Takeout, Delivery, Streaming
New categories for reward redemption.

Coronavirus Auto Insurance Refunds: How Much to Expect
Why some insurers are giving money back.

How to School Kids on Money Lessons During the COVID-19 Outbreak

How to Check If You’re Eligible for Food Stamps
Getting assistance during this tough time.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: When the market drops, play the long game with retirement savings. Also in the news: Is booking a last-minute spring break flight with miles a good idea, a credit union’s new card goes all-in with 3X points, and how to get a credit card when you’re already in debt.

When the Market Drops, Play the Long Game With Retirement Savings
Don’t panic.

Ask a Points Nerd: Should I Book Last-Minute Spring Break Flights With Miles?
The Points Nerd weighs in.

Credit Union’s New Card Goes All-In With 3X Points
A Florida credit union is about to get popular.

How to Get a Credit Card When You’re Already in Debt
When you need a little wiggle room.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Make your brand loyalty pay off. Also in the news: When your new car have more tech than you know what to do with, one thing to know when filing your taxes, and beware email attachment scams this tax season.

Make Your Brand Loyalty Pay Off
Cash in on your devotion.

Does your new car have more tech than you know what to do with?
Too many bells and whistles?

There’s one thing you need to know when filing your taxes
You don’t have to do it on your own.

Beware Email Attachment Scams This Tax Season
Scammers never take a day off.

I travel-hacked a college tour and saved $3,000

Amtrak’s “buy one, get one” spring sale got me started.

My teenage daughter and I had used a similar two-for-one deal last year to take an overnight train trip from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. This year, she wanted to use her spring break to check out colleges in Chicago as well as the Pacific Northwest. When Amtrak announced the return of its companion fare sale, I thought a couple of nights on a sleeper train might be a good way to start our college tour. She agreed.

At the same time, I noticed that we had travel rewards piling up all over the place: points, miles, free anniversary nights at hotels, even a Southwest companion pass that had yet to be used. At NerdWallet, we’re always telling people to spend rather than hoard their rewards, which get less valuable over time thanks to program devaluations.

So I decided to see how much I could save on one 10-day trip. In my latest for the Associated Press, find out what the grand total was and how we pulled it off.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: New Year, Fresh Finances: How to rebound after banking troubles. Also in the news: Gift card expiration dates, 5 great reasons to carry a hotel credit card, and why lawmakers may kill this popular retirement tax break for the wealthy.

New Year, Fresh Finances: How to Rebound After Banking Troubles
Giving yourself a fresh start.

When Do Your Gift Cards Expire?
Checking the fine print.

5 Great Reasons to Carry a Hotel Credit Card
Extra perks that make it worthwhile.

Lawmakers may kill this popular retirement tax break for the wealthy
Say goodbye to the “stretch IRA”?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you use miles to book holiday travel? Also in the news: How one woman paid off $51K of debt, 4 times it actually makes sense to buy miles, and what to do first when you get a raise.

Should You Use Miles to Book Holiday Travel?
Good idea? Or waste of rewards?

How I Ditched Debt: From ‘Extravagantly Broke’ to Comfortably Frugal
How one woman paid off $51K of debt in less than three years.

4 Times It Actually Makes Sense to Buy Miles
A few compelling reasons.

What to Do First When You Get a Raise
Don’t leave it to chance.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to rack up points and miles with everyday spending. Also in the news: What to buy and skip in October, how to catch up on your savings, and why consumer instant gratification can prove risky.

How to Rack Up Points and Miles With Everyday Spending
Piling up miles wherever you go.

October is the Month to Buy Jeans, Grills and More

Behind on Your Savings? You’re Not Alone
There’s time to catch up.

Consumer instant gratification can prove risky
Staying within your means.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to buy a house without help from your family. Also in the news: What Walmart’s upgraded cards have in store for shoppers, the cheapest ways to fly to Disney World using points and miles, and how to boost your savings post-Fed interest rates cuts.

How to Buy a House Without Help From Your Family
Doing it on your own.

What Walmart’s Upgraded Cards Have In Store for Shoppers
Better perks are coming.

Cheapest Ways to Fly to Disney World Using Points and Miles
How to play the rewards game.

The Fed just cut interest rates. Here’s how to boost your savings
Time to shop around.