Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Federal loans are paused until 2021 – should you pay anyway? Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on pet costs and extreme couponing, what to know about the coronavirus charges on your college bill, and the tough choices renters are facing.

Federal Loans Are Paused Until 2021 — Should You Pay Anyway?
Federal student loan payments are suspended interest-free through the end of 2020.

Smart Money Podcast: Pet Costs and Extreme Couponing
The costs of our furry friends.

What to Know About Coronavirus Charges on Your College Bill
Some colleges are charging for testing.

Renters must make some tough choices in the coming weeks: What to do if you’re at risk
Ways to fight evection.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: New lawyers frustrated, depressed by student loan debt. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on lower mortgage rates and moving during a pandemic, how to take a high-interest loan and skip the debt cycle, and why you’ve got more time to pay off federal student loans.

New Lawyers Frustrated, Depressed by Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt is affecting every aspect of their lives.

Smart Money Podcast: Lower Mortgage Rates, and Moving During a Pandemic
Rents are dropping.

How to Take a High-Interest Loan and Skip the Debt Cycle
Consider your bank as an option.

You’ve Got More Time to Pay Off Your Federal Student Loans
You now have until Dec. 31st.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why student loan borrowers shouldn’t wait on Congress for more relief. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on safe travel and handling old debts, how to make sure a contract tracer isn’t a scammer, and what to do if your health insurance drops your monthly prescription.

Smart Money Podcast: How to Travel Safely, and How to Handle Old Debts
Traveling take caution.

Student Loan Borrowers: Don’t Wait on Congress for More Relief
Don’t hold your breath.

How to make sure a contract tracer isn’t a scammer
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/you-get-a-call-that-youve-been-exposed-to-coronavirus-how-to-make-sure-a-contract-tracer-isnt-a-scammer-2020-08-03
Here’s what to look for, and what a legitimate contract tracer will never ask you

What to Do if Your Health Insurance Drops Your Monthly Prescription
Looking at your options.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Smart money moves when cash is tighter than time. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on losing your health insurance and setting financial goals, how a gap year might haunt you financially, and how to boost your credit score with on-time Netflix payments.

Smart Money Moves When Cash Is Tighter Than Time
A lot of extra time on our hands, but not extra cash.

Smart Money Podcast: Losing Your Health Insurance, and Setting Financial Goals
Putting your health first.

How a Gap Year Might Haunt You Financially
It could cost you up to $90K in the long run.

Boost Your Credit Score With On-Time Netflix Payments
Your binge watching could boost your credit score.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 credit card scams and how to avoid them. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on COVID impulse spending and building credit while paying off debt, how Black Friday shopping could look very different this year, and making a plan to repay your borrowed 401(k) money.

6 Credit Card Scams and How to Avoid Them
Crooks don’t have to steal your card — just your card information. Keep your money and your identity safe.

Smart Money Podcast: COVID Impulse Spending, and Building Credit While Paying Debt
Finding the right payoff method for your debt.

Black Friday Shopping Could Look Very Different This Year
Lining up for doorbusters could be a thing of the past.

Make a Plan to Repay Your Borrowed 401(k) Money
Start thinking of a payoff strategy.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 reasons why people get personal loans and what financial advisers say about them. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on creating wealth, 5 secrets of car buying from a former undercover car salesman, and how to lower your tax bill with these last-minute moves.

5 reasons people get personal loans—and what financial advisers say about them
The pros and cons.

Smart Money Podcast: Taxes Are Due, and How to Get Started Creating Wealth
You can still create wealth in a pandemic.

5 Secrets of Car Buying, From a Former Undercover Car Salesman
Even the playing field.

Lower Your Tax Bill With These Last-Minute Moves
You still have time.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 expert tips to get hired from home. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast looks at the wealth gap, an artist shares her business story, and how to repay your coronavirus retirement distribution.

4 Expert Tips to Get Hired From Home
Hunting in the pandemic.

Smart Money Podcast: The Wealth Gap, and How to Cope With Variable-Rate Student Loans
Inequality in the United States.

Money/Makers Q&A: Hollis Wong-Wear Builds a Business to Fuel Her Art
One artist’s story.

How to Repay Your Coronavirus Retirement Distribution
Prepare for end-of-the-year taxes.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How new grads can handle 3 essential post-college questions. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on money goals and bank bonuses, the possibility of another stimulus check, and everything that goes away when coronavirus benefits end in July.

How New Grads Can Handle 3 Essential Post-College Questions
The real world is a bit different these days.

SmartMoney Podcast: Setting Money Goals at Milestone Birthdays, and Bagging Big Bucks with Bank Bonuses
Use your big birthday to set a new goal.

Is Another Stimulus Check Coming?
Maybe.

Here is everything that goes away when coronavirus benefits end in July
Start planning ahead for changes.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 do’s and don’ts when saving money during a crisis. Also in the news: Cash accounts and apps to buddy up with your investments, a new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on preparing your money for a recession, and the relief period on your federally backed mortgage was just extended.

6 Do’s and Don’ts When Saving Money During a Crisis
Saving may be harder, but it’s worth it.

Cash Accounts and Apps to Buddy Up With Your Investments
Investing at your fingertips.

SmartMoney Podcast: Prepping Your Money for a Recession, What to Do with a $10,000 Inheritance
Preparing your money for the tough times ahead.

The Relief Period on Your Federally Backed Mortgage Just Got Extended
You now have until August 31st.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: These are probably your best options for travel this summer. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on how the pandemic is changing our financial lives, how your state may let you deduct the costs of working from home during the pandemic, and 10 steps to avoiding tax-return identity theft.

These are probably your best options for travel this summer
It’s going to be weird.

SmartMoney Podcast: The Pandemic Is Changing Our Financial Lives, and What to Know About Refinancing Now
Things have changed dramatically.

Your State May Let You Deduct The Costs of Working From Home During the Pandemic
Covering the costs of your upgrades.

10 Steps to Avoiding Tax-Return Identity Theft
Protecting your Social Security number.