Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to save on school supplies by tapping your community. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on explaining cryptocurrency, how to feel richer (even when you’re not), and where home prices are dropping the most.

How to Save on School Supplies by Tapping Your Community
It’s that time again: back to school, back to spending so much money on supplies.

Smart Money Podcast: What the Heck Is Crypto, Anyway?
In this episode, NerdWallet investing writer Andy Rosen attempts to explain what cryptocurrency is to his family.

5 Ways to Feel Richer (Even If You’re Not)
In some ways, feeling “rich” is less about how many zeroes you have in your bank account and more about knowing how to use them to get what you want out of life.

Cities Where Home Prices Are Dropping the Most
Homeowners are slashing prices in these parts of the country.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 tax triggers new investors need to know about. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on identity theft and financial stability, how to compare Medicare Advantage plans, and how to save your finances by avoiding these common mistakes.

4 Tax Triggers New Investors Need to Know About
Advice from the tax pros.

Smart Money Podcast: Financial Stability and Identity Theft
Creating financial stability in an unstable world.

Medicare Advantage Plans: How to Compare
Medicare Advantage Plans are an alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private insurers. Here’s how to shop.

Save Your Finances by Avoiding These Common Mistakes
Some errors are more costly than others.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How losing Obamacare could cost you. Also in the news: Understanding Medicare prescription drug plans, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on remote work burnout and saving for college, and the pros and cons of paying your student loans with a credit card.

How Losing Obamacare Could Cost You
If the Supreme Court tosses out the Affordable Care Act, it could dramatically affect your finances and choices.

Understanding Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare can help you pay for prescription drugs in two ways.

Smart Money Podcast: Remote Work Burnout and Saving for College
How to handle Zoom fatigue.

Can You Pay Your Student Loans With a Credit Card?
Yes. But should you?

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Surprising things renters insurance covers — and leaves out. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast tackles sudden retirement and finding lost money, using a crisis to help build helpful money habits, and why Powerball and Mega Millions aren’t reaching giant jackpots anymore.

Surprising Things Renters Insurance Covers — And Leaves Out
You may think buying renters insurance means you’re covered for just about any disaster, but that’s not the case.

Smart Money Podcast: Sudden Retirement and Finding Lost Money
What to do when you’re forced to retire sooner than you expected.

You Can Use a Crisis to Build Helpful Money Habits
Making the best of a bad situation.

Here’s why Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots aren’t reaching giant amounts anymore
It’s not just the pandemic.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to create financial stability in shaky times. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on picking the best investing platform and reducing taxes, the Points Nerd on how travel could change after the pandemic, and good money habits that can hurt your credit.

How to Create Financial Stability in Shaky Times
It’s not just about cash flow.

Smart Money Podcast: Reducing Taxes, and Picking the Best Investing Platform
Finding the best platform to suit your needs.

Ask a Points Nerd: How Could Travel Change After the Pandemic?
Here are some predictions for travel trends that could become permanent post-pandemic.

Good Money Habits That Can Hurt Your Credit
Sometimes having a balance is a good thing.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Starter credit cards are still a thing but are harder to get. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on debt and refinancing, debt management as an alternative to credit card relief, and should you let your insurance company track your driving?

Starter Credit Cards Are Still a Thing but Harder to Get
Starter credit cards have gotten harder to qualify for in recent years — but not impossible. And more options exist now.

Smart Money Podcast: The Psychology of Debt, and When to Refinance
People are having complicated feelings about plastic.

If Credit Card Relief’s a No-Go, Check Out Debt Management
Not everyone will qualify for hardship programs or find the terms affordable.

Should You Let Your Insurance Company Track Your Driving?
You could get a significant discount.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast featuring Drag Race All-Star winner Shea Couleé talking about the drag economy. Also in the news: Online banking FAQs, how to invest in the S&P 500, and how to plan for interest rates staying low through 2023.

Smart Money Podcast: Used Cars in Short Supply, and Shea Couleé Talks About Money
The winner of season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars discusses their plan for their $100K winnings.

‘When Can I Shred This Check?’ and Other Online Banking FAQ
What to keep and what to toss.

How to Invest in the S&P 500
The S&P 500 is an index comprised of 500 leading U.S. companies, and it powers some popular index funds.

How to Plan for Interest Rates Staying Low Through 2023
The impact rock-bottom rates could have on you.

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.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How hotel prices changed in 2020 vs. 2019. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney Podcast on emergency loans and the perks of buying local, what to know about EFTs and adding them to your portfolio, and what to do if you receive an unpaid notice from the IRS.

Analysis: How Have Hotel Prices Changed in 2020 vs. 2019?
Hotel prices have dipped significantly.

Smart Money Podcast: Buying Local, and Emergency Loans
How to help local businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

What are ETFs and why you should consider them for your portfolio
Many investments wrapped in a single package.

What to Do if You Receive an Unpaid Notice From the IRS
Don’t panic.