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| Stat Of The Day |
| 32% |
The gender gap is real – especially when it comes to retirement. Research shows that, on average, women have about 32% less saved by the time they retire than men. Unsettling, yes, but there are ways to take back control.
One great place to start? The next FinanceFixx Pre-Retirement session. Kicking off on February 24, this six-week program is for women who are within a decade (or less) of retirement. You’ll work with a certified coach to understand your numbers, stress-test your plan and create a clear path forward. Save your spot here. |
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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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The latest salary trend may leave you feeling a bit salty. A new survey from Payscale shows that "peanut butter raises" are on the menu for 2026, with more than 40% of companies opting for identical, across-the-board hikes spread across their organization, rather than merit-based raises. "With no differentiation based on performance, it's easier to give everyone something. But there is a risk that top performers will feel disadvantaged in that environment," Ruth Thomas, Chief Compensation Strategist at Payscale, tells CBS News.
From crashing cocktail parties to saying "yes" to part-time gigs, older workers are getting scrappy – and creative – as they try to break through a tough job market. The Wall Street Journal highlighted five such stories, including that of 75-year-old Jean Davidson. She stepped away from the insurance industry in 2014, but retirement wasn’t quite as fulfilling as she hoped. So, she took some initiative. "Spotting an insurer’s office in her neighborhood near Orlando, Florida, she decided to email the manager," reports the WSJ. "That led to an invitation to the office, and soon she was making $16 an hour greeting customers and answering the phone."
More tail wags, less stress. Pets do more than fill your camera roll – studies show they can lower stress, boost mental health and ease loneliness. These benefits ripple out in surprising ways, even into your money. Pets can motivate you to stick to a routine, get moving and be more productive overall. "Pet parents are significantly more likely to get outside and exercise themselves—two activities that we all know are effective at reducing stress and improving mental health," Dr. Whitney Miller, Chief Medical Officer at Amerivet, tells HerMoney. "This responsibility can provide a sense of purpose for pet parents when they need an external reason to get out of bed or return home to take care of their pet."
🐶 If you’re a pet parent, you know furry friends aren’t cheap. That’s why many people (including HerMoney CEO Jean Chatzky) swear by pet insurance. The right plan can cover accidents and illness, and, in many cases, reimburse up to 90% of eligible claims. An added bonus: Many providers offer multi-pet discounts. |
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Imagine opening your closet and finding it magically stocked with chic pieces from Paige, Boden, Vince Camuto, and more — without ever swiping your credit card for a splurge you’ll probably regret later. That’s the beauty of Armoire, a monthly clothing rental service founded by women, for women, designed to take the stress (and guilt) out of fashion.
Whether you need a sharp blazer for Monday’s big meeting, a flirty dress for date night, or weekend staples that make you feel effortlessly put together even if you’re just headed to the farmer’s market, Armoire delivers thousands of curated styles straight to your door. With plans starting at just $89/month for 4 items, you can flex your wardrobe as easily as you flex your calendar — no commitment, no dry cleaning, no hassle. It’s the ultimate closet glow-up, without the buyer’s remorse. Sign up here for up to 60% off your first month of membership + two free bonus items! |
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| Things That Save You Time |
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| Why Corinne Low Got Divorced, Ditched Her Commute & Started Dating Women |
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Corrine Low’s breaking point came in an Amtrak bathroom. Her commute was delayed and she found herself crying in a public restroom while pumping for her newborn. As an economist, she knew she was in "the squeeze," a stage of life when there’s less time and less money, usually as women are building their families. The experience led her to launch a mission to help women build more equitable partnerships.
Now a tenured Wharton professor, Low turned her research and personal story into the bestseller "Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours."
As she points out in her book – and her convo with Karen Finerman on How She Does It – even when women out-earn their partners, they still do twice as much cooking and cleaning. It was something Low saw play out in her first marriage. "We were four years in and I was earning all the money, but I was still doing the lion’s share of the parenting," she shares.
The couple divorced, Low moved to Pennsylvania, and decided (which she acknowledges works for her but not for everyone) to date women exclusively. She is now remarried, and she and her wife have an infant daughter.
"When we date, we go for who’s cute. But nobody is cute when you’re cleaning their toothpaste off the bathroom sink," Low remarked. "It’s not … that everybody needs to divorce their husband and marry a woman, but I do think that everybody needs to marry someone who does the laundry." |
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| Ask Jean |
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Terri. She writes: "Is it true I can apply with multiple lenders for a mortgage at the same time without it hurting my credit score?" |
| A: |
As we’ve mentioned before, your credit score is made up of five main ingredients: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix and new credit applications.
That last one matters because every time you apply for credit – whether it’s a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or credit card – lenders see it as a sign you’re in the market for more cash. The more frequently you do that, the riskier you can appear. A single application can cause a small, temporary dip in your score. It’s not a major factor like paying on time or keeping balances low, but it’s still worth managing carefully.
Here’s the good news for house hunters, though. Credit scoring models recognize that homebuyers compare rates. So, multiple mortgage inquiries made within a defined period are typically treated as a single inquiry. The window varies by scoring model, ranging from 14 to 45 days. Newer FICO models allow up to 45 days, while VantageScore is tighter at 14 days. To be safe, try to do your rate shopping within a two-week period.
Two final tips. First, avoid applying for any other credit while you’re mortgage shopping (ideally in the months leading up to it). You should also avoid other moves that will ding your score — like closing credit cards. Second, know that checking your own credit report or score doesn’t affect your credit at all. Those are considered "soft inquiries" and are completely safe. |
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| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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