Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to minimize credit damage from medical bills. Also in the news: Getting started with qualified opportunity funds, how to turn your side-gig into a full-time business, and what to do if you’re about to lose your federal COBRA subsidy.

How to Minimize Credit Damage From Medical Bills
Your credit can recover.

Getting Started With Qualified Opportunity Funds
Qualified opportunity funds allow you to do well for yourself while doing good for others — revitalizing distressed communities while saving on taxes.

5 Steps to Turn Your Side Gig Into a Full-Fledged Business
Formalize your freelance business by separating your business and personal finances and making a business plan.

What to Do If You’re About to Lose Your Federal COBRA Subsidy
Time to look for a cheaper plan.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How video games can level up kids’ money skills. Also in the news: How Twitter became the unlikely hero in a rental car fiasco, what to buy (and skip) in September, and 5 steps to turn your side gig into a full-fledged business.

How Video Games Can Level Up Kids’ Money Skills
These four conversations can help your video game-loving kids learn about money.

How Twitter Became the Unlikely Hero in a Rental Car Fiasco
Here’s how and when customers might use social media to get through to customer service.

What to Buy (and Skip) in September 2021

5 Steps to Turn Your Side Gig Into a Full-Fledged Business
Formalize your freelance business by separating your business and personal finances and making a business plan.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to get your parent off the hook for your student loans. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on open enrollment and HSA vs. HFA, getting a side gig while on unemployment, and 5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020

How to Get Your Parent Off the Hook for Your Student Loans
Refinancing and co-signer release can get a parent’s name off of student loans.

Smart Money Podcast: Open Enrollment and HSA vs. FSA
Open enrollment is underway.

Can You Get a Side Gig While on Unemployment?
Depends on state law.

5 financial moves you need to make before the end of 2020
Preparing for the new year.

Tax traps that side hustlers should avoid

Millions of Americans earn extra money outside their regular jobs — as ride-hailing drivers, Airbnb hosts, eBay sellers and freelancers of all kinds. Their side hustle income may help make ends meet, but it also can create tax traps.

Side gigs usually count as self-employment, which triggers different rules, additional tax forms and plenty of confusion for people accustomed to filing as employees, tax experts say.

In my latest for the Associated Press, find out how to avoid surprises when it comes to tax time.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 things your side gig will probably do to your taxes. Also in the news: How banking apps can motivate you to save, contributing to your IRA by April 15th could lower your 2018 tax bill, and social media is making Valentine’s Day super expensive for millennials.

6 Things That Side Gig Will Probably Do to Your Taxes

How Banking Apps Can Motivate You to Save

Contributing to Your IRA by April 15 Could Lower Your 2018 Tax Bill

Social media is making Valentine’s Day super expensive for millennials

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 7 tactics to help car-buying newbies bargain like a boss. Also in the news: 5 ways to save energy during the dog days of summer, what you need to know about buying a house in 2018, and how a freelancer turned dog sitting into a successful side gig.

7 Tactics to Help Car-Buying Newbies Bargain Like a Boss
Don’t be intimidated.

5 Ways to Save Energy During the Dog Days of Summer
Staying cool.

Buying a House in 2018: What You Need to Know
Things have changed a bit.

How a Freelancer Turned Dog Sitting Into a Successful Side Gig
Getting your side hustle on.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why new grads shouldn’t snooze and lose on their employer’s 401(k). Also in the news: Ditching debt by working side gigs, how to decide if that life insurance rider is worth it, and how freelancers can save for retirement beyond an IRA.

New Grads, Don’t Snooze and Lose on Your Employer’s 401(k)
One of the biggest steps you’ll take in your new financial life.

How I Ditched Debt: Paying With Cash, Working Side Gigs
One man’s experience paying down his debt.

How to Decide If That Life Insurance Rider Is Worth It
A look at the extra benefits.

How Freelancers Can Save for Retirement Beyond an IRA
Other options to consider.