Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to pay for a home remodel without tapping your equity. Also in the news: U.S. unemployment shrinks, but recovery varies across race, sex, and age, how to avoid last-minute tax surprises when closing your business, and is COVID-specific travel insurance worth buying.

How to Pay for a Home Remodel Without Tapping Your Equity
Paying for a renovation equity-free can help you expedite the funding process and even start the project sooner.

U.S. Unemployment Shrinks, but Recovery Varies Across Race, Sex and Age
The recovery isn’t universal.

Thinking of closing your business? Avoid these last-minute tax surprises
Your state may also have requirements for dissolving your business, including canceling registrations and licenses.

Is COVID-Specific Travel Insurance Worth Buying?
What to consider before your next trip.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 6 National Parks to visit this fall and where to stay on points. Also in the news: How to find travel insurance that offers COVID coverage, 7 Personal Finance Rules it’s OK to break during a pandemic, and How to save the economy for everyone.

6 National Parks to Visit This Fall, and Where to Stay on Points
National parks waive fees on National Public Lands Day. Here’s where you can take advantage of the discount.

How to Find Travel Insurance That Offers COVID CoverageHere’s what to look for when seeking a travel insurance policy to cover coronavirus-related cancellations.
Reas the fine print.

7 Personal Finance Rules It’s OK to Break During a Pandemic
Almost half of Americans reported a reduction in income and need to adjust how they manage household bills.

How to save the economy for everyone
It’s worse than the 2008

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Does my travel insurance cover the Coronavirus? Also in the news: 3 signs that itemizing your taxes may be worth the headache, types of home inspections you should know, and why you shouldn’t pay for credit repair piggy back scams.

Does My Travel Insurance Cover the Coronavirus?
What to know about your upcoming travels.

3 Signs That Itemizing Your Taxes May Be Worth the Headache
How to know when it’s worth the effort.

Types of Home Inspections Buyers Should Know
When you should call in more than one inspector.

Don’t Pay for Credit Repair ‘Piggyback’ Scams
There are better ways to boost your credit.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How much you need to save every month to earn $60,000 a year in interest alone for retirement. Also in the news: 9 credit cards that provide travel insurance, how to turn your home into a moneymaker, and the easiest way to shop at warehouse clubs without a membership.

How much you need to save every month to earn $60,000 a year in interest alone for retirement
Nerdwallet crunches the numbers.

9 Credit Cards That Provide Travel Insurance
Accidents can happen, even on vacation.

Turn your home into a moneymaker.
Add some diversification to your portfolio.

The Easiest Way to Shop at Warehouse Clubs Without a Membership
Get into Costco without sneaking in the back entrance.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 divorce mistakes that can cost you. Also in the news: How to achieve financial independence without retiring early, consolidated debt and how to do it right, and where to go when you have a travel insurance problem.

5 Divorce Mistakes That Can Cost You
Curb your social media.

How to Achieve Financial Independence Without Retiring Early
A worthwhile goal.

What Is Consolidated Debt and How to Do It Right in 2019
Don’t start charging again.

Where To Go When You Have A Travel Insurance Problem
Being your own best advocate.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 3 ways a separate credit card could soup up your side hustle. Also in the news: Travel insurance and winter weather woes, exercise options besides an annual gym membership, and 15 money moves to make in 2019.

3 Ways a Separate Credit Card Could Soup Up Your Side Hustle
Double-dip on rewards.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Winter Weather Woes?
What to know before you book.

Exercise Options Besides an Annual Gym Membership
Cheaper alternatives.

15 money moves to make in 2019
Spending less and saving more.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Don’t make this common – and costly – credit card mistake. Also in the news: Paying by credit card will increase college costs, free credit freezes, and when to buy travel insurance.

Don’t Make This Common — and Costly — Credit Card Mistake
Even a day late can be costly.

To Make College Cost Even More, Pay by Credit Card
Interest rates can be even worse than through student loans.

Free Credit Freezes: Time to Rethink Your Protection?
Credit freezes will be free for everyone starting September 21st.

When to Buy Travel Insurance
When is it worth it?

Flight delays? Lost luggage? Your credit card may help

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailHundreds of flights have already been cancelled on this busy travel day, with more cancellations and delays likely to come as a winter storm rolls through the East Coast. If you used the right credit card to book your trip, though, you may be entitled to some compensation.

Most cards offer some kind of travel protection, but some of the policies are pretty weak, even for high-end cards. Some only offer compensation for lost baggage, while others offer hundreds of dollars in compensation for trip delays–and thousands for trip cancellations.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card, for example, is justifiably famous among savvy travelers for its generous delay and cancellation protection: If your trip is canceled or cut short by illness, severe weather and “other covered situations,” can can be reimbursed up to $10,000 for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. You can get up to $500 for trip delays and a whopping $3,000 for lost luggage. (Many other cards limit lost luggage reimbursement to $500.) Other high-end Chase cards, along with The United Explorer Visa Platinum Card, offer similar top-drawer benefits.

Citi recently stepped up its game, and now offers card members refunds for trip expenses if unforeseen events like severe weather, jury duty or even previously unannounced strikes cause trip cancellations. The coverage is limited to $1,500 for most cardholders, though some get up to $5,000. Those with ThankYou Premier or Citi Prestige can get up to $500 to buy clothes and toiletries if their bags are delayed. If a trip is delayed, these travel rewards card members also can get up to $500 for unplanned expenses such as hotel rooms, ground transportation and meals.

Travel cards that you think would have pretty good protection–such as American Express or Capital One Venture–unfortunately don’t. Amex offers travel protection for an extra cost and CapOne covers just lost or stolen luggage (although the limit is $3,000).

If you’re affected this weekend by travel hassles, call and ask the credit card company that you used to book the trip what your options might be. If you don’t like what you hear, start looking for a better alternative for your next trip.