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Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to maximize paying taxes with a credit card for points. Also in the news: How travel is back, 5 reasons to be optimistic about your summer travel plans, and how rising fed interest rates affect home buyers, homeowners.

How to Maximize Paying Taxes with a Credit Card for Points
You can rack up some serious points by paying your taxes with a credit card — just be conscious of fees.

Travel Is Back, in Case You Missed It
The pandemic has changed the way we travel, but the industry is bouncing back.

5 Reasons to Be Optimistic About Your Summer Travel Plans
The gradual travel bounce-back from deep COVID looks poised to accelerate this summer.

How Rising Fed Interest Rates Affect Home Buyers, Homeowners
Interest rates on mortgages and home equity lines of credit may rise following the Federal Reserve’s rate increase.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 6 ways technology is evolving travel in 2022. Also in the news: Headwinds that first-time home buyers faced again in Q4, and how now is a bad time to lease a new auto.

6 Ways Technology Is Evolving Travel in 2022
The pandemic has pushed the travel industry to embrace contactless tech like digital room keys and virtual queues.

First-Time Home Buyer Metro Affordability Report – Q4 2021
Prices stall and active listings fall: There was little relief for first-time home buyers in the fourth quarter.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Lease a Car Right Now
Leasing a car is rarely a great idea financially speaking, but it’s a particularly bad one in 2022.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to choose a seat on a plane. Also in the news: Lock in your access to hotel refunds as travel remains iffy, and why your first credit card will likely not be a travel credit card.

How to Choose a Seat on a Plane
This basic component of air travel has become another way airlines tack on fees.

Lock In Your Access to Hotel Refunds as Travel Remains Iffy
Avoid third-party booking platforms and know the terms of your reservation to prepare for possible cancellation in case of travel interruptions.

Can Your First Credit Card Be a Travel Card?
Likely no, but you can offset travel costs by joining loyalty programs and opening a cash-back card in the meantime.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: 7 secrets to surviving group travel With different budgets. Also in the news: Why Puerto Rico is the ultimate travel destination this year, and 5 ways to avoid travel headaches this year.

7 Secrets to Surviving Group Travel With Different Budgets
Communication and planning are key when setting financial expectations for travel with friends.

One Big Reason Why Puerto Rico Might Be the Ultimate Travel Destination This Year
High vaccination rates and fewer travel restrictions make Puerto Rico a draw.

5 Ways to Avoid Travel Headaches This Year
COVID-19 is still negatively impacting travel, so plan accordingly.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to crush your holiday debt. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on paying for Covid tests, needing booster shots before you travel, and small business trends that are here to stay.

How to Crush Your Holiday Debt
Here’s what you can do to take control of your holiday debt.

Smart Money Podcast: COVID Tests, and Reversing a Credit Score Drop
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about how to get COVID-19 tests right now.

Will You Need a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster to Travel?
Travel rules remain in flux, so be sure to check your destination’s requirements.

These Small-Business Pandemic Trends Are Here to Stay
Virtual services, social media and online sales will continue to be key to small business success in 2022 and beyond.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Inflation can spell disaster for some 40% of Americans. Also in the news: 5 reasons why ‘Shoulder Season’ is the best time to travel, a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on paying for college, and how a strong college application remains possible even with transcript gaps.

Inflation Can Spell Disaster for Some 40% of Americans
As of December, prices across all goods and services had risen more in a single year than they had in nearly 40 years.

5 Reasons Why ‘Shoulder Season’ Is the Best Time to Travel
Smaller crowds and better deals make the not-quite-offseason a great time to travel.

Smart Money Podcast: How Nerds Choose the Best, and Paying for College
NerdWallet’s Content team leader explains how Best-Of Award winners are chosen and why you can trust our picks.

Transcript Gaps? A Strong College Application Remains Possible
Show colleges the best version of yourself, but also know admissions officers have adapted their expectations.