| Subscribe Read in Browser |
 |
| Stat Of The Day |
| 45% |
Home sweet…regret? A new Bankrate survey shows 45% of people have regrets about buying their current home. Their #1 complaint? The cost of maintenance and fees. The typical American homeowner spends over $21,000 on non-mortgage expenses every year, including things like property taxes, maintenance and replacing that roof you swore would hold up. |
|
|
|
| What It Really Means If You Google “How to Hide Money From My Spouse” |
If you’ve ever Googled “how to hide money from my spouse,” you’re not alone—and you’re not necessarily a villain either.
Turns out, this search isn’t always about sneaky behavior. It’s often about fear. As Erin Levine, divorce lawyer and co-founder of Hello Divorce, writes for HerMoney, “It’s fear of being left with nothing, fear of being in the dark, and fear that your spouse knows more about your shared money than you do…and that they might use that to their advantage.”
Levine never recommends actually hiding money – it’s risky, unethical, and can tank your credibility in court. But, if a split seems likely, there are smart ways to prepare. First step? Start building a financial paper trail. “Quietly gather account statements, credit card bills, pay stubs, tax returns—anything that gives you a clearer picture of your financial life,” suggests Levine. “Use a secure, private email address or cloud storage to keep copies if things go sideways.”
Worried your spouse is the one stashing cash? Click here to find out what to do next. |
|
|
|
| This Week In Your Wallet |
 |
Sticker shock on the used lot? You’re not imagining it. The average used car price just hit $30,000. So…should you just buy new? As Michelle Singletary writes for The Washington Post, while buying used has long been touted as the financially savvy thing to do, it’s no longer as clear-cut. According to Edmunds, the average price for a three-year-old used car in early 2025 was $30,522 – up 2.3% from last year. That shrunk the gap between new and used rides to about $17,000. There are still deals on the used lot, but buying new might not be the splurge it once was. “If you can truly afford a new car — and you aren’t concerned about depreciation because you will keep the car years longer than the average owner — get what you want,” writes Singletary. “It’s okay to treat yourself if the decision to buy new aligns with your financial well-being and personal preferences.” Kicking the tires on a new ride? Singletary suggests using this car affordability calculator to make sure you don’t hit any financial potholes.
The Trump administration has rolled back Biden-era guidance that urged employers to think twice before adding crypto and other digital assets to 401(k) plans. But don’t expect a rush of Bitcoin in your retirement account. As The New York Times reports, the change is unlikely to shake up how most plan administrators view their fiduciary responsibilities. “This D.O.L. shift may open the door procedurally — it shouldn’t be perceived as lowering the bar,” Emily Jaffe, president of OFC Wealth Management, tells the NYT. “Most prudent fiduciaries I know are still keeping that door closed.” Still, the options are out there. A recent Governmental Accountability Office study found nearly 70 crypto asset investments that could potentially be available to 401(k) participants.
Got a college grad in your life? Go ahead and forward them this article – it’s packed with smart tips for navigating the “real world.” As Jennifer Palmer writes for HerMoney, there are plenty of steps new grads can take to stand out while job hunting. One of our favorites? The good old-fashioned thank-you note.“Throughout my career, after a meeting with a potential client or business partner, I use my personalized stationery to convey my appreciation for the time we spent together and discuss the next steps,” writes Palmer. “So, I urge you to reconsider that thank you e-mail. The handwritten thank-you note never died, and it’s now more important than ever as a sincere expression of gratitude.” Pro tip: Etsy is a goldmine for personalized stationery. |
|
|
| With inflation impacting the price of everything — from the groceries we buy to the gas we put in our cars — it's more important than ever that we stretch our dollars further. That’s why HerMoney loves the app Upside — it gives us real cash back on the things we're already buying. Upside users are making an extra $280 a year on average — that’s a nice chunk of change for some summer vacation fun, or more money for your retirement savings. And the best part is — you can stack your Upside cash back with your credit card rewards. Download the FREE Upside App today, and use promo code HMJC to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. |
|
|
|
| Things That Save You Money |
|
|
|
|
|
| Ask Jean |
 |
| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Andrea. She writes: I use sinking funds and know about the basics, such as medical, veterinary, and home repair. What other sinking funds should I think about setting up? |
| A: |
First off, a quick refresher: A sinking fund is essentially a savings account where you’re incrementally saving for a goal by putting aside a set amount of money each month. Whether you’re saving $10 a month to end up with $120 at the end of the year, or $200 a month to end up with $2,400, the goal is that you’re sinking the same amount into your fund, with consistency, in order to reach a goal.
You’ve already nailed some of the biggies when it comes to the types of expenses sinking funds are good for. But there are plenty more worth setting up. Some popular categories from the ladies of the HerMoney Facebook group include: |
|
| â—Ź |
Insurance premiums, so those big annual bills don’t sneak up on you |
| â—Ź |
Subscriptions and memberships – think Costco, Amazon Prime and Spotify |
| â—Ź |
Vacations |
| â—Ź |
Gifts – for the holidays, birthdays and other special occasions |
| â—Ź |
Charity donations |
| â—Ź |
Kid stuff – like summer camp, back-to-school supplies, etc. |
| â—Ź |
Big life moments. Wedding bells in the future? Baby on the way? Set up a sinking fund. |
|
| If you’ve yet to establish a sinking fund, there are three steps to doing so. First, set your goal. What are you saving for, and how much will it cost? (There may be things you don’t know the cost of — like home repairs. That’s okay. Just ballpark it.) Next, pick your deadline. When do you need the funds by? Lastly, do the math. Divide the total amount by the number of months until the deadline. That’s your monthly savings goal. |
| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We maintain a strict editorial policy and a judgment-free zone for our community. We strive to remain transparent in everything we do. Website posts and newsletters may contain advertisements, links and mentions of products from our partners. Learn more about how we make money. |
| *This is a sponsored post |
|
