| Subscribe Read in Browser |
 |
|
|
|
|
| This Week In Your Wallet |
 |
If your holiday generosity left you in a red brighter than Rudolph’s nose…don’t panic. We’ve got your post-holiday guide to bouncing back financially. One smart move? A balance transfer card. Yes, opening a new card to pay off an old one sounds backwards. But many balance transfer cards offer 0% interest for up to 18 months, giving you a break from interest while you attack your debt. That interest-free window means every payment goes straight to the balance, helping you pay it down faster and more cheaply. Used wisely, a balance transfer can turn post-holiday regret into a solid comeback plan.
That said, if you’re buried in credit card debt – think $10,000 or more – a reputable debt relief company may help. These programs aim to reduce what you owe by negotiating settlements for less than your full balance, often through lump-sum or reduced payments. Some offer debt consolidation, rolling multiple balances into one loan (ideally at a lower rate), or negotiate lower interest rates and monthly payments with creditors. We recommend debt relief programs only when other, often better, options won’t work. For example, not-for-profit credit counseling may be the smarter choice if you’re struggling but haven’t yet missed payments. Here’s everything else you need to know about debt relief.
Did a gift card land in your stocking? Don’t let it turn into free money for the retailer. As The Wall Street Journal reports, Americans with unused gift cards hold an average balance of $244, and more than one-third lose money to expiration dates, lost cards, or store closures. If you’re guilty of using almost all of a gift card and then ditching it because the leftover change feels pointless, here’s a smarter move – in more than a dozen states, you can "demand the change." "For instance…if you received a $100 gift card and spent $93 of it, you can ask for the remaining $7 back as cash," explains the WSJ. "State maximums vary, topping out at $9.99 in California." |
|
|
|
| Things That Make You Money |
|
|
|
|
|
| I Tried 10 Pine Hand Sanitizers Because I Want to Smell Like A Christmas Tree All Winter (And There Was One Clear Winner) |
 |
Kathryn here, HerMoney’s Chief Content Officer. My favorite part of the holidays isn’t the lights or the music, it’s the smell. Pine, cedar, fir… That crisp, just-snowed forest scent that instantly makes everything feel a little more magical.
Ideally, I want to smell like a walking Christmas tree from November through March. (July, too, frankly — but I try to respect society’s boundaries.) A few years ago, I found the perfect pine hand sanitizer from Thymes (yes, THE Fraser Fir people)…and then they stopped making it. Heartbreaking.
So this year, I was determined to find a replacement, so I ordered 10 pine-leaning hand sanitizers made with only clean ingredients. No artificial dyes, no chemical pine, nothing fake. Thankfully I found a new favorite, which amazingly comes from a woman-owned small business. Here are my honest reviews, including price, size and shipping times, because every great holiday story deserves a happy, pine-scented ending. |
|
|
|
| Ask Jean |
 |
| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Brittany. She writes: I’m ending the year with a few thousand dollars left over in my budget. Should I put that money in the market or a high-yield savings account (HYSA)? How do I decide? |
| A: |
First of all, nice problem to have. The right move will depend on a couple of things.
First, do you have an emergency fund with enough in it to cover 3-6 months of living expenses? If not, a high-yield savings account (HYSA) should be your first stop. Next, do you have any high-interest debt? Paying that down should be your priority.
Then, think about timing. If there’s a chance you’ll need this money in the next couple of years, a HYSA keeps it accessible. If the money is truly long-term and you don’t expect to touch it for years, investing in stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs may give it more room to grow.
And remember, these aren’t your only choices. "A taxable investment account provides accessibility, but investment accounts like IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, health savings accounts, or 529 college savings accounts can provide tax advantages," says Kevin Coombs, a CFP with Donaldson Capital Management. "Make sure to do research on whether any of these make sense for your situation, but they can be powerful tools long-term."
Finally, this doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice. "Many people split the money—some for stability, some for growth—because it balances peace of mind with long-term opportunity," adds Coombs. |
|
| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
|
|
|
| Buying A Car Without Breaking The Bank |
 |
From deciphering dealer fees to dodging high-pressure tactics, buying a vehicle can be overwhelming. Even though women make most car-buying decisions in the U.S., too many of us still feel left out of the conversation.
That’s why we brought in Chaya Milchtein, automotive educator, TikTok star, and author of "Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership," to break it all down.
On the HerMoney Podcast, Milchtein explains whether it’s smarter to lease or buy, what to consider before going electric, and how to walk into a dealership with total confidence.
One of the big takeaways – buying used usually means big savings. "The average used car purchase right now is $30,000, versus a new car purchase, which is averaging just under $50,000," Milchtein shares. "But whether it’s the best decision for you and your specific needs is on a case-by-case basis."
For some vehicles, like Subarus, buying a 2-3 year-old used model doesn’t save as much, while vehicles like Volvos or luxury brands see much steeper depreciation. That can equate to bigger potential savings. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
