Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: More than half of travelers have the same New Year’s resolution. Also in the news: Saving on a new car from the factory, how to travel to Super Bowl LVI on a budget, and how to help your parents navigate health care in retirement.

More Than Half of Travelers Have the Same New Year’s Resolution
Remote work options will enable many people to travel in ways they couldn’t in the past.

Order a New Car From the Factory and Save
Waiting a few weeks or months gets you the vehicle you want, and perhaps a better price.

How to Travel to Super Bowl LVI on a Budget
If you splurged on tickets to the big game, here’s how to save on your flights and hotel.

How to Help Your Parents Navigate Health Care in Retirement
Try these tips to be the best advocate for your parents when and if they need your help.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Medicare’s telehealth experiment could be here to stay. Also in the news: 4 best practices to simplify your small business, how Omicron could impact your travel, and 7 things to buy early this holiday season.

Medicare’s Telehealth Experiment Could Be Here to Stay
An astronomical increase in telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries in 2020 could prompt a reshaping of post-pandemic rules.

Can’t Keep Up? 4 Best Practices to Simplify Your Small Business
These best practices can help small-business owners simplify daily operations, free up time and focus on company growth.

Omicron, Travel Bans and How They Could Impact Your Trip
As countries rush to impose travel bans amid the omicron COVID-19 variant, here’s what you need to know.

7 Things to Buy Early This Holiday Season
Between limited inventory and shipping delays, here’s what you need to buy early this holiday shopping season.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Omicron, travel bans and how they could impact your travel. Also in the news: What to buy (and skip) in December, how diversification can help manage crypto risks, and how to sustain generosity beyond the holidays.

Omicron, Travel Bans and How They Could Impact Your Trip
As countries rush to impose travel bans amid the omicron COVID-19 variant, here’s what you need to know.

What to Buy (and Skip) in December 2021
Smart shopping for the holidays.

Beyond Bitcoin: Diversification Can Help Manage Crypto Risks
It can be complicated to build a diversified portfolio in this novel and volatile space, but there are ways to pull it off.

How to Sustain Generosity Beyond the Holidays
Being smart about holiday giving.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Need a passport for a trip? Give yourself a big time cushion. Also in the news: How to avoid getting sick on a plane, what to buy (and skip) in September, and how to minimize credit damage from medical bills.

Need a Passport for a Trip? Give Yourself a Big Time Cushion
If you don’t pay fees for expedited service, you can expect to wait 18 weeks or more for a new or renewed passport.

How to Avoid Getting Sick on a Plane
Traveling can increase your risk of getting sick, but there are steps you can take to mitigate exposure.

What to Buy (and Skip) in September 2021
Plan accordingly.

How to Minimize Credit Damage From Medical Bills
Keeping what you owe out of the hands of debt collectors.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Should you pack your COVID-19 vaccine card for your next trip? Also in the news: A Travel Nerd on Basic Economy, 4 cash-raising pitfalls, and what to do if you haven’t received your child tax credit.

Should You Pack Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card for Your Next Trip?
Travelers likely won’t need to prove their vaccination status for most trips, but there are some exceptions.

Ask a Travel Nerd: What’s the Deal With Basic Economy?
Every airline has different rules, but you usually can’t change or cancel basic economy fares.

4 Cash-Raising Pitfalls (and Better Options)
When you need cash fast, stop briefly to understand which options can hurt you more in the long term.

What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Child Tax Credit
Don’t panic just yet.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Crypto-earning credit cards are all the rage – but should you buy in? Also in the news: As travel rebounds, credit cards can unlock perks from a bygone golden age, the pros and cons of becoming your own boss, and all the states offering vaccine rewards.

Crypto-Earning Credit Cards Are All the Rage — But Should You Buy In?
The crypto curious might benefit, but most people will likely do better with a traditional rewards credit card.

As Travel Rebounds, Credit Cards Can Unlock Perks From Bygone Golden Age
A flood of pent-up demand is about to hit airports and hotels. The right credit card can help you hark back to travel’s heyday by dodging some of the lines, the noise and the fees.

Should You Become Your Own Boss?
The pros and cons.

All the States Offering Vaccine Rewards (Including Cash)
See what your state is offering.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to create financial stability in shaky times. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on picking the best investing platform and reducing taxes, the Points Nerd on how travel could change after the pandemic, and good money habits that can hurt your credit.

How to Create Financial Stability in Shaky Times
It’s not just about cash flow.

Smart Money Podcast: Reducing Taxes, and Picking the Best Investing Platform
Finding the best platform to suit your needs.

Ask a Points Nerd: How Could Travel Change After the Pandemic?
Here are some predictions for travel trends that could become permanent post-pandemic.

Good Money Habits That Can Hurt Your Credit
Sometimes having a balance is a good thing.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Are cash management accounts safe? Also in the news: 6 items to add to your packing list for COVID-era travel, 5 myths about high-yield savings accounts during COVID-19, and how to talk about debt as newlyweds.

Are Cash Management Accounts Safe? How CMAs Protect Your Money
What to know about FDIC insurance.

6 Items to Add to Your Packing List for COVID-Era Travel
You don’t want to leave home without some of these less obvious items for travel.

5 Myths About High-Yield Savings Accounts During COVID-19
Mythbusting.

How to Talk About Debt as Newlyweds
Starting with a clean slate.