Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

small businesses

Monday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: What Medicare Part A’s belly-up date means for you. In other news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on investing for your dream life, what the Inflation Reduction Act means for your Medicare coverage, and what small businesses should do now to prep for a recession.

What Medicare Part A’s Belly-Up Date Means for You
Shifting services, revamping drug coverage and cutting payments to providers are all strategies that could slow Medicare Part A insolvency.

Smart Money Podcast: Investing for Your Dream Life
This week we’re running an episode from our financial dream series.

What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Your Medicare Coverage
The act would implement cost-cutting measures for prescription drugs and cap out-of-pocket spending with Medicare Part D.

4 Things Small Businesses Should Do Now to Prep for a Recession
Speculation about a looming recession is putting pressure on many small-business owners to protect themselves against a downturn.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Should you Buy Now, Pay Later for back-to-school? Also in the news: $6 billion in relief to defrauded students signals change ahead, six ways to support small businesses hit with inflation, and these online resources will help you find free college textbooks.

Should You Buy Now, Pay Later for Back-to-School?
You can use BNPL to cover back-to-school shopping, but limit it to one purchase at a time and look for other ways to save.

$6 Billion in Relief to Defrauded Students Signals Change Ahead
More than 200,000 federal student loan borrowers who were misled by their schools are in line for $6 billion worth of debt relief.

6 Ways to Support Small Businesses Hit With Inflation
Business owners explain how they’d like to see their community show up for them as prices rise.

These Online Resources Will Help You Find Free College Textbooks
Why spend hundreds on a hard copy when you can download the PDF for free?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: Mortgage rates are unlikely to cool in August. Also in the news: 6 ways to support small businesses hit with inflation, has remote work changed the travel landscape, and oat milk and coffee drink are part of a major recall.

Mortgage Rates Unlikely to Cool in August
Mortgage rates will likely rise in August as the Federal Reserve continues to yank interest rates higher.

6 Ways to Support Small Businesses Hit With Inflation
Business owners explain how they’d like to see their community show up for them as prices rise.

Has Remote Work Changed the Travel Landscape?
Widespread access to remote work has changed the travel industry, perhaps for good.

A Bunch of Oat Milks and Coffee Drinks Are Part of a Majo53 nationally distributed products have been recalled due to possible bacteria contamination.
r Recall
53 nationally distributed products have been recalled due to possible bacteria contamination.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 4 ways to protect your small business from cyberattacks. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast featuring a travel nerd’s trip to Japan, what Warren Buffett would do about inflation, and what Stablecoin’s troubles mean for crypto investors.

4 Ways to Protect Your Small Business From Cyberattacks
You can follow cybersecurity best practices, train your employees and invest in cyber insurance to protect your business.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Travel Diaries: Scrimping and Splurging in Japan
A Travel Nerd’s story about traveling to Tokyo for a vacation that balanced moments of luxury and cost-saving travel hacks.

Rising Inflation, Volatile Market: What Would Buffett Do?
For billionaire Warren Buffett, investing in low-cost index funds and pursuing value over the long term are the best ways to beat inflation and weather turbulent times.

What a Stablecoin’s Troubles Mean for Crypto Investors
TerraUSD’s high-profile flop has added to the pressure on digital assets this week.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 7 ways small-business owners can save on taxes in 2022. Also in the news: Check your DMs for debt collectors and scams, coupling your finances for Valentine’s Day, and how one couple reconciled their relationship with money.

7 Ways Small-Business Owners Can Save on Taxes in 2022
Seven things entrepreneurs and independent workers can do to lower their tax bills and their anxiety this filing season and in the year ahead.

Check Your DMs for Debt Collectors and Scams
Sites like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter could be where debt collectors slide into your DMs.

For Valentine’s Day, Couple Your Finances
Money coaches discuss how couples can combine finances and bank accounts while balancing autonomy and partnership.

How My Fiance and I Reconciled Our Relationships With Money
When differing financial attitudes collide, communicating openly is the best way to bridge the divide.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

By

Today’s top story: 5 things small businesses need to know about the Metaverse. Also in the news: Grads left behind $3.7B in free college aid in 2021, buying your next used car online, and why you should teach your kid to invest while they’re still a kid.

What Is the Metaverse? 5 Things Small Businesses Need to Know
The metaverse is coming — eventually. Here’s what you need to know in the meantime.

Grads Left Behind $3.75B in Free College Aid in 2021, Study Says
An estimated 813,000 Pell-eligible high school graduates didn’t submit the FAFSA in 2021, a college access nonprofit found.

Buy Your Next Used Car Online
Learning how to navigate online car dealerships can help you find your next used car from the comfort of your home.

Why You Should Teach Your Kid to Invest While They’re Still a Kid
Teaching them to save is good; teaching them to invest might be even better.