Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Here’s which airline rewards program gives the most value. Also in the news: The most valuable hotel rewards program in 2022, 5 steps to strengthen your finances, and despite higher wages, inflation gave the average worker a 2.4% pay cut last year.

Here’s Which Airline Rewards Program Gives the Most Value
Alaska, Frontier and Southwest lead the way on cash value per mile.

The Most Valuable Hotel Rewards Programs in 2022
Radisson Rewards America and World of Hyatt lead the way on key measures of value.

5 Steps to Strengthen Your Finances in 2022
In 2022, setting grand financial goals may not be realistic for every budget, but there are still smart steps you can take to shore up your finances.

Despite higher wages, inflation gave the average worker a 2.4% pay cut last year
Inflation grew 7% in December from a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How COVID-fueled crowdfunding can revive small businesses. Also in the news: How point and mile values have changed over the pandemic, the one trick to traveling cheaply, and this tool tells you what you owe the IRS before they come looking for it.

How COVID-Fueled Crowdfunding Can Revive Small Businesses
Tips for launching an effective campaign.

How Have Point and Mile Values Changed Over the Pandemic?
For the most part, airline miles are worth more than they were last year, while hotel points are worth less.

There’s Just One Trick to Traveling Cheaply: Flexibility
To fly for the lowest price, you should try searching without a specific destination or date in mind.

This Tool Tells You What You Owe the IRS Before They Come Looking for It
Beating the IRS to the punch.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 5 IRA mistakes you may be making. Also in the news: 8 reasons why an RV is your spring break best friend, the Black homeownership gap, and how to keep your expiring travel reward points.

5 IRA Mistakes You May Be Making
It’s OK. We all make mistakes. But here’s how to course-correct if you find your IRA is off track.

8 Reasons Why an RV Is Your Spring Break Best Friend
For COVID-era travel during spring break, take a hard look at renting an RV.

The Black Homeownership Gap: A Fair Housing Leader’s Solutions
Down payment assistance and housing laws are highlighted by the president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance.

How To Keep Your Expiring Travel Rewards Points
Know the type of card you have.

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.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to maximize travel rewards on holiday spending this year. Also in the news: Your guide to hotel travel with pets, why renting out your RV has become a lucrative pandemic side hustle, and how to avoid this fake Zoom meeting invite phishing scam.

How to Maximize Travel Rewards on Holiday Spending This Year
Think of your once-a-year holiday shopping as an opportunity to earn more points on your travel credit card.

Your Guide to Hotel Travel With Pets
Finding a pet-friendly hotel can seem complicated unless you know what to look for.

Why Renting Out Your RV Has Become a Lucrative Pandemic Side Hustle
Renewed interest in traveling by motorhome or camper van has fueled the growth of the RV rental market.

Avoid This Fake Zoom Meeting Invite Phishing Scam
Not even your boring work meetings are safe.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How I ditched debt: rebounding from bankruptcy. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on maximizing travel rewards, what the Coronavirus means for your home loan and mortgage rates, and what happens to your credit card if you move internationally.

How I Ditched Debt: Rebounding From Bankruptcy
How one couple paid off nearly $180,000 of debt.

SmartMoney Podcast: ‘How Can I Maximize My Travel Rewards?’
Getting the biggest bang for your buck.

What the New Coronavirus Means for Your Home Loan and Mortgage Rates
There’s a new interest rate cut.

What Happens to Your Credit Card if You Move Internationally?
It’s complicated.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Your guide to earning bonus miles with airline promotions. Also in the news: 4 important features to finding the perfect home, why some people don’t mind overpaying the IRS, and this cash-envelope budgeting system turns back-to-school shopping into a money lesson.

Your Guide to Earning Bonus Miles With Airline Promotions
Check out these limited-time offers.

Look for these 4 important features to find the perfect home
Sometimes good enough is perfect.

Here’s why these people don’t mind overpaying the IRS
They’d rather get a refund.

This cash-envelope budgeting system turns back-to-school shopping into a money lesson
Letting your kids make the decisions.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Will a summer job burn your financial aid for college? Also in the news: 4 cool-down summer escapes you can book with points, new tools that can help turn your retirement savings into a steady paycheck, and how how to find out if you’re eligible for a $20,000 payment from Equifax data breach.

Will a Summer Job Burn Your Financial Aid for College?
The unexpected impact.

4 Cool-Down Summer Escapes You Can Book With Points
Beating the heat with reward points.

New tools can help turn your retirement savings into a steady paycheck
Personalized tools to create best-case scenarios.

Are you eligible for a $20,000 payment from Equifax data breach?
Don’t get too excited.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Stocking up for school can be eco-friendly and economical. Also in the news: Why this Southwest Airlines card is a solid choice for budget travelers, how to choose a secured credit card, and the best tip calculator apps.

Stocking up for school can be eco-friendly AND economical
Look for freebies first.

Why This Southwest Card Is a Solid Choice for Budget Travelers
Putting the Companion Pass within reach.

How to Choose a Secured Credit Card
Not all secured cards are created equal.

Best Tip Calculator Apps to Download Now
Make tipping much easier.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Beyond Airbnb: Your guide to peer-to-peer travel platforms. Also in the news: 5 reasons to get the Orbitz rewards Visa credit card, the Roth IRA 5-Year rule, and 5 money strategies for military deployments.

Beyond Airbnb: Your Guide to Peer-to-Peer Travel Platforms
Thinking beyond hotels.

5 Reasons to Get the Orbitz Rewards Visa Credit Card
All about the Orbucks.

What Is the Roth IRA 5-Year Rule?
Looking out for penalties.

5 Money Strategies for Military Deployments
Important lessons military families should know.