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| Stat Of The Day |
| 43% |
That’s the share of moms who say they’re burned out and at their breaking point. New research shows women are more likely than men to feel the pressure of "doing it all" – and far less likely to ask for advice or help.
During the holidays, that load often grows heavier as we juggle work, gift-buying, and, really, trying to make the magic happen for everyone else. If the season feels more exhausting than joyful, consider this a reminder – you don’t have to carry it alone. Here’s one place to get support. |
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| 🎄 Programming Note |
| Thursday is Christmas, and we’ll be giving your inbox a holiday break. Look for our newsletter on Friday instead. Happy holidays to you and yours! |
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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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Socks, coffee, and diapers. No, that’s not our Costco haul. Those are some of the items likely to land on holiday shopping lists this year. As The Washington Post reports, Americans are going the practical route when it comes to gift-giving. "Another year of stubborn inflation and new tariffs that have lifted the prices of appliances, shoes and toys, has led many families to think twice about what they’re buying, and why," the Post reports. "Early holiday spending data shows people are scooping up more necessities like appliances, clothing and furniture than they did last year."
And if you’re leaning into practical gifts, it’s hard to top ones that help kids build money skills. Need a last-minute idea? We’ve rounded up six finance-focused gifts for children of all ages, including one that doesn’t require wrapping at all – a charitable donation. "Get an idea of what your kids would be excited about, like the zoo or the aquarium, or make a list of potential charities together," writes Sara Gelsheimer. "Then, make a donation to these charities in their own name. This gift idea doubles as an experiential one, too; you can take them to visit the place you donated to so they can better understand where their money went."
Introducing…the appetizer economy. With affordability still top of mind, Americans are finding new ways to dine out without blowing their budget. As CNBC reports, even diners who can afford a big meal are ordering small. "Appetizer orders are up 20% year over year, even as entrees and desserts are largely flat or declining," says Jim Pazzanese of Buyers Edge Platform, which tracks supply chain data within the food service industry. He says the shift shows up item by item, too, with mozzarella sticks, pickle chips and cheese curds all seeing sales jump more than 30% year over year. |
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| Things That Save You Money |
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| Orbiting The Unexpected: Sunita Williams On Her 286-Day Stay On The International Space Station |
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| "I really felt and found that people are nice, people are good, and people care about one another," Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut |
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| Things didn’t go as planned for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. In June 2024, five critical thrusters failed on the Boeing Starliner, jeopardizing docking with the International Space Station (ISS). "We both knew this was not a good situation," Williams recalled. "But we can’t just sit here…we actually have to contribute and work with the spacecraft and try to get it to do what it was supposed to do." |
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Taking manual control, they successfully docked, but had to stay aboard the ISS for 286 days, while the Starliner returned unmanned.
For Williams, the extended mission was an opportunity. Years of training helped her stay calm and trust her team. "It’s not one person making the decision. There’s a lot of trust involved with the team," Williams tells Karen Finerman on How She Does It. "They have more data on the ground than we have displayed to just the two of us in the cockpit."
After returning to Earth in March 2025 following her extended mission, Williams was struck by one thing – how many people cared. Strangers approached her in airports and on streets, expressing relief that she’d returned safely. "I really felt and found that people are nice, people are good, and people care about one another," she reflects. "We all, honestly, as humans care." |
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| Ask Jean |
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Barri. She writes: What is hybrid long-term care? |
| A: |
Life insurance gives your loved ones a financial safety net if you pass away, while long-term care (LTC) insurance helps cover things like caregivers or assisted living. Today, though, some insurers offer hybrid policies that combine both in one, known as "hybrid long-term care."
Experts say these hybrid products are the insurance industry’s answer to the "old-style" LTC policies – the kind that were often pricey, "use-it-or-lose-it," and came with rising premiums. Hybrid policies offer a more "balanced" approach, combining LTC with a built-in death benefit.
"Hybrid products are typically more cost-effective than life insurance policies with LTC riders," says Elizabeth Kusmider, CFP and founder of Kusmider Consulting. "I generally recommend exploring these options between ages 45 and 55 to maximize growth potential and keep costs low. Beyond age 60 or 65, premiums tend to rise significantly, making them less optimal." |
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| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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