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summer travel

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: This year’s summer travel FOMO is real. Also in the news: Is it better to book Airbnbs in advance or last minute, the cheapest road trip in America, and the basic loan terms everyone needs to know before borrowing money.

This Year’s Summer Travel FOMO Is Real
It can be challenging to balance your financial goals with the fear of missing out on exciting summer travel.

Is it Better to Book Airbnbs in Advance or Last Minute?
Neither last minute nor way out, booking about a month in advance is likely to get you the best deal.

This May Be the Cheapest Road Trip in America
Gas price variance makes some U.S. regions more affordable for traveling the country’s highways.

The Basic Loan Terms Everyone Needs to Know Before Borrowing Money
Need to borrow money? Here are the basics for first-time borrowers.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to afford summer road trips amid high gas prices. Also in the news: A Travel Nerd on what the strong dollar means for summer travel, saving at summer music festivals, and how a business can move towards pay equity.

How to Afford Summer Road Trips Amid High Gas Prices
Travelers can save on road trips by traveling through regions with low-cost gas and by renting electric vehicles.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What Does the Strong Dollar Mean for Summer Travel?
Amid the anxiety of inflation, U.S. travelers can take comfort that their dollar will go further abroad.

Fine-Tune Your Music Festival Budget and Save
Music festivals can be pricey. Here’s how to see your favorite artists without breaking the bank.

How a Business Can Move Toward Pay Equity
Beyond avoiding litigation and reputation damage, pay equity is about fairly compensating workers for their experience and skills.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Crypto could be coming to your 401(k). Also in the news: When it comes to your car contract, the devil is in the details, the Travel Nerd on what oil prices mean for your summer travel, and the majority of adults support mandatory personal finance education in schools.

Crypto May Be Coming to Your 401(k) — Here’s What to Know Now
You may soon have access to Bitcoin as an investment in your 401(k). But think about how you react to losses before jumping in.

When It Comes to Your Car Contract, the Devil Is in the Details
Avoid bogus fees and additional charges in your car contract by reading carefully before you sign.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What Do Oil Prices Mean for My Summer Travel?
Airfares are rising, car rentals will cost you. Maybe try a city with good public transit?

88% of adults support requiring personal finance education in high school, survey finds
Starting off on the right foot.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Flying is likely the cheapest option for spring and summer trips. Also in the news: 8 tactics to break credit card debt cycles, dealing with bank mergers, and negotiating COVID-19 medical bills.

Flying is likely cheapest option for spring, summer trips
According to NerdWallet travel writer Sally French, despite the feeling that everything is more expensive these days, traveling by airplane is actually cheaper on average than it was before the pandemic.

8 tactics to break credit card debt cycles
Take a deep look at your credit card relationship.

If your bank merges, should you shop around or stay put?
How to handle changes with your bank.

Can You Negotiate Your COVID-19 Hospital Bills?
Insurance companies have stopped waiving COVID-19 treatment costs, but there are ways to appeal a huge medical bill.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What to do if a fair credit score cuts your credit card options. Also in the news: Should you use points and miles to book 2021 travel, should you purchase travel insurance for your summer vacation, and how often you should be checking your credit report.

What to Do If a Fair Credit Score Cuts Your Credit Card Options
If you have only average credit, appealing credit cards aren’t as easy to come by. But you do have some choices.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Should I Use Points and Miles to Book 2021 Travel?
If you’ve been sitting on a pile of travel points, now might be a good time to start planning how to use them.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for My Summer Vacation?
If you’re making nonrefundable bookings, you might want to consider a travel insurance plan.

How Often Should You Be Checking Your Credit Report?
More often than you’d think.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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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.