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| Stat Of The Day |
| $8.9 Billion |
That’s how much we spent on movie tickets in 2025 – up 2% from the year before. Not a blockbuster jump, but a solid sign the box office is finally bouncing back post-pandemic.
Planning a movie night? The Housemaid gets two thumbs up from us. And pro tip – never pay full price for your ticket. Many theaters offer discounts for loyalty members and seniors (as well as those first show of the day bargains if you feel like playing hooky). AARP members can also score 25% off at major chains like AMC, Regal and Cinemark. Roll credits on overpaying. |
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| How To Save On Everyday Essentials: Your Best Tips |
Resolve to save money in 2026? Great! Big budget moves – like shopping around for insurance or skipping that second vacation – can make a real dent. But the real magic often lives in the everyday stuff you buy on autopilot. These costs feel fixed…but spoiler alert, they don’t have to be.
We’ve rounded up some of the best, tried-and-true money-saving tips from the HerMoney community, covering everything from groceries to pets.
One fave? Unlocking your freezer’s superpowers. Jennifer is proudly self-described as a "freezer lady." Her strategy? Freeze everything. Yogurt for future smoothies. Bread. Leftover tomato paste. Extra homemade pea soup. "You name it, I freeze it," she says. The payoff is less food waste, more money in your bank account.
Another surprise saver – meal delivery services. At first glance, having meals delivered to your door doesn’t exactly scream "saving money." But for many fans, meal kits reduce impulse grocery buys and make it easier to stick to a plan (no last-minute takeout required!).
And yes, the deals help. Some of the top meal delivery services (like HelloFresh, Purple Carrot and Factor) are offering special discounts just for HerMoney readers. |
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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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An uncertain job market is scary for everyone – and especially women 50+. The data backs that up. Nearly 64% of older workers overall worry that age puts their job at risk — and that concern rises to 67% among women over 50. But preparing for the possibility of a layoff doesn’t have to come from fear. It can come from clarity, confidence and a plan. One smart first move? Prepping a "layoff file." "Think of this as your 'break glass in case of emergency’ folder," writes Pam Krueger, CEO of Wealthramp. "Create a simple digital or physical file that holds your key financial and employment documents." Here’s why it matters – if a severance package is offered, being organized can give you real leverage, whether you’re negotiating healthcare coverage, equity vesting, or next steps.
🤝 Another way to future-proof your finances? Work with a financial professional who can help make sure your bases are covered…before you ever need that layoff file.
If you’ve lost a spouse, grief can make simple tasks – especially financial ones – feel overwhelming. The Wall Street Journal highlights five financial blind spots that often catch grieving spouses off guard, including surprise debt. "Survivors are often surprised to discover that the late spouse had individual credit-card debt," says Chris Bentley, founder of Wings for Widows, a nonprofit that helps people with finances after the loss of a partner. In most states, if a credit card was solely in the deceased spouses’s name, the survivor generally isn’t responsible for paying it. But here’s an important caveat: in "community property" states – like California and Texas – spouses may still be on the hook.
If you have children, starting to save for their future early helps. But when it comes to college, the big question is always "How much is enough?" Here’s the good news – you don’t need to cover the full cost. A common rule of thumb is to aim for one-third of the total price. Why? "The remainder can be filled in by scholarships, financial aid, student loans and current income – whether that’s your income or your student’s money from a job or work-study," writes Abby Chao. One important reminder – if you’re juggling college savings and your own retirement, your future comes first. There are many ways to pay for college, but no loans for retirement. |
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| Things That Save You Money |
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Travel insurance is important, especially when you’re traveling with children. One HerMoney staffer learned that the hard way when her daughter got sick in the TSA line (silver lining: not on the plane) and a post-Christmas weekend at Disney World was suddenly canceled. She won’t skip it again – and next time, will insure her trip with one of these top-rated companies. |
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Think a bigger house automatically means a happier life? The data says not so fast. While upsizing may bring a short-lived happiness boost, research shows bigger homes don’t deliver lasting satisfaction – and can even chip away at it over time. |
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Baby showers are a tried-and-true way to help new parents save on baby gear. But there’s a new party trending – grandma showers. The parties celebrate grandparents-to-be by gifting the essentials they’ll need when the new baby comes to visit. |
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| From Cabinet To Commander In Chief? Gina Raimondo Weighs In On What’s Next |
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When Gina Raimondo stepped down as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in January of 2025, she made herself a promise: take time off, do nothing, and reflect.
"I took about two days," she admits with a laugh.
Raimondo has remained engaged this past year through her work with the Council on Foreign Relations. But she’s also become clear on what she doesn’t want to do next: become a CEO, admitting she’s declined a few such opportunities. "I don’t want to do something full-time, profit-making," she tells Karen Finerman on How She Does It. "I’d like to run something, but more purpose-driven."
And yes, a presidential run is on the table. "I think it’s a job that I would know how to do, and it’s a very hard job to get. Politics is not a meritocracy," she shares. "I want to serve the country. I’m a patriot. I love service, and I’m just going to see how I can serve." |
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| Ask Jean |
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Andrea. She writes: My credit score recently took a hit. Any tips on boosting it? |
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Yes – and take a deep breath. A bruised credit score isn’t a life sentence. With a few simple moves, you can get things back on track. It may not even take as long as you might think.
First, understand what actually goes into your score (you can check out the factors here). When one piece slips, the whole score can wobble – but the fix is often easier than it looks.
Here are some of the best ways to give your score a boost:
Pay on time, every time: Payment history matters most. Set reminders or autopay and aim to pay your balance in full. Bonus move – pay mid-cycle, a week or so before your statement closes, so a lower balance gets reported to the credit bureaus.
Keep balances low: Your credit utilization ratio (what you’re using vs. what’s available) should ideally stay under 30% of your limit. That’s on each individual card and on all of your cards combined.
Hit pause on new cards: Opening several new accounts in a short period can make lenders nervous and they may see you as a greater risk.
Don’t close old accounts: Longstanding cards can help your credit history and closing them can actually raise your utilization ratio.
Talk to your creditors: If a missed payment was a one-off, call and explain. If you’ve otherwise been a stellar customer, they may be willing to help – and even report your improvement to the credit bureaus.
If your score has really taken a nosedive, it might be worth talking to a not-for-profit credit counselor or a reputable credit repair company. Just be sure to do your homework and avoid any promises of instant fixes or guaranteed results. |
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| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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