Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Spring travel ahead? One airline is prioritizing customer safety. Also in the news: Considering elite airline status in 2021, taking some of the mystery out of buying a house sight unseen, and how to build your credit without a credit card.

Spring Travel Ahead? One Airline Is Prioritizing Customer Safety
Delta is now the only major airline blocking middle seats on all domestic flights through the spring.

Is Airline Elite Status Worth Considering in 2021?
The requirements to earn elite status are lower this year, so it’s easier to get these perks for 2021 and 2022.

Take Some of the Mystery Out of Buying a House Sight Unseen
Finding the right agent and getting help from others on the ground can help you buy a house even if you can’t visit it in person.

How to Build Your Credit Without a Credit Card
Credit builder loans can help.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 things to know if you’re new to gig work. Also in the news: How to craft smarter money goals in 2021, the do’s and don’ts of getting and using a paycheck protection program loan, and 5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt.

3 Things to Know if You’re New to Gig Work
To the IRS, you’re a small business.

How to Craft Smarter Money Goals in 2021
The pandemic has changed everything.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting, Using a Paycheck Protection Program Loan
Best practices that can help small businesses owners get their PPP loan funded and forgiven.

5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt
Creating the right plan.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: A guide to PPP loan forgiveness. Also in the news: High car insurance rates could be because of bad credit, 4 signs your about to get a tax surprise, and how to budget when you hate to budget.

A Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness

High Car Insurance Rates? Bad Credit May Be to Blame
Not paying bills might hurt you more than you think. Drivers with poor credit pay over 75% more annually in some states.

4 Signs You’re About to Get a Tax Surprise
If any of these things have happened to you, a tax surprise may be coming.

How to Budget When You Hate to Budget
Automation, technology and some simple guidelines can help you budget without a huge amount of effort and stress.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Unpacking the myths of investing in the stock market. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on buying cryptocurrency and tackling debt, life insurance companies are becoming more marijuana-friendly, and asking for reconsideration after being denied a credit card.

Unpacking the Myths of Investing in the Stock Market
These stock market myths have no place in your portfolio.

Smart Money Podcast: Buying Crypto and Dealing With Debt
Understanding cryptocurrency and how to tackle your debt head on.

Smoke Weed and Need Life Insurance? Some Companies Are Cool With Marijuana
Not every life insurer is willing to cover marijuana users, but some don’t mind — provided it isn’t a daily habit.

Call a Reconsideration Line for a Second Chance at a Credit Card
Taking a second look.

How to make budgeting as painless as possible

Budgeting is a pain. But what’s more painful is a bill you can’t easily pay, debt that costs a fortune or not having enough money to retire.

Fortunately, you can have a useful, working budget without watching every penny. Automation, technology and a few simple guidelines can keep you on track. In my latest for the Associated Press, finding the budget plan that best suits your needs.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 financial experts who could steer you wrong. Also in the news: Treating investing like a subscription, 7 credit card perks to prioritize in 2021, and Disney cancels its annual Passport Program.

4 Financial ‘Experts’ Who Could Steer You Wrong
Be cautious about taking advice from sources who care more about their profits than your financial health.

Want to Invest More This Year? Treat It Like a Subscription
A better financial future for just $49.99 a month sounds like a late-night infomercial, but it’s not as crazy as it seems.

7 Credit Card Perks to Prioritize in 2021
Resolve to examine your cards’ features and ensure they’re still getting the job done and saving you money.

Disney Cancels Its Annual Passport Program
Over one million customers impacted.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 financial experts who could steer your wrong. Also in the news; More Americans are saving than ever before, though in unequal amounts, do’s and don’ts for planning your travel on points this year, and how to make debt less costly when you need it in a crisis.

4 Financial ‘Experts’ Who Could Steer You Wrong
Be cautious about taking advice from sources who care more about their profits than your financial health.

More Americans Are Saving Than Ever Before, Though in Unequal Amounts

Ask a Points Nerd: Should I Book Award Travel for 2021?
Here are some do’s and don’ts for planning your travel on points this year.

How to Make Debt Less Costly When You Need It in a Crisis
Americans have taken on more debt as the pandemic brought widespread job and income losses, according to a survey.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Simplifying and saving during the pandemic. Also in the news: Hoping for student loan forgiveness won’t pay the bills, alternatives to Simple, and how to apply for rent assistance.

A Pandemic Shift in Finances: Simplifying and Saving
People are reassessing their priorities, finding ways to simplify life and put more money aside.

Hoping for Student Loan Forgiveness Won’t Pay the Bills
Even with payments currently paused, borrowers need a strategy that doesn’t count on forgiveness for federal loans.

Losing Your Simple Account? Some Alternatives Worth a Look
Fans of the soon-to-close app might like options including Radius Bank, Varo and Personal Capital, among others.

How to Apply for Emergency Rent Assistance
How to take advantage of the newly-released plan.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to nail a no-spend month. Also in the news: New credit card benefits we’d love to see for 2021, the popular online banking service Simple is shutting down, and TurboTax customers will still get their stimulus payment.

How to Nail a No-Spend Month
Recover from the holidays.

New Credit Card Benefits We’d Love to See for 2021
The pandemic forced credit card issuers to revamp their travel card benefits. Why stop there?

Simple, the Popular Banking Service, Is Shutting Down
What to do if you have an account.

TurboTax Customers Will Still Get Their Stimulus Payments
Understanding the glitch.

Start 2021 off strong with these money moves

After the train wreck that was 2020, you may well question whether it’s worth trying to plan anything. But knocking off a few financial tasks early in the year can better prepare you for whatever 2021 has in store. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to start off 2021 on the right financial foot.