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Your Savings Deserve A Spotlight This National Savings Day
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With National Savings Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at how hard your money is working for you. Spoiler: if it’s sitting in a low-yield account, it could be doing a lot more.
That’s why HerMoney is highlighting the Gainbridge® platform* — where straightforward, relatively flexible annuities offer guaranteed growth with no hidden fees. Whether you’re planning ahead for retirement or building a safety net for the future, Gainbridge can give you clarity and control, backed by an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Best and is a part of Group 1001, which has $72.9B in assets under management.
This Savings Day, celebrate by making your money smarter.
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Debt Relief Programs 101: What They Are And How They Work
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Got credit card debt? You aren’t alone. In the second quarter of 2025, total U.S. credit card balances hit a record $1.21 trillion, up nearly 6% from last year.
If you’re struggling, you may have considered a debt relief program. But knowing what they are – and how they work – can be confusing.
Debt relief programs – also known as debt settlement or debt adjusting companies – work to renegotiate, settle, or change the terms of your unsecured debt with creditors.
We recommend exploring them only after other options don’t fit your situation. For example, if you’re still current on payments, credit counseling is usually the smarter first step.
But if you’ve already fallen behind, debt relief programs might be worth a closer look. Here’s everything you need to know.
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This Week In Your Wallet
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Your next online shopping splurge might start with a chat. OpenAI just introduced an instant checkout feature in ChatGPT, allowing users to buy items directly from Etsy and, soon, from 1 million Shopify sellers, including big brands like Glossier and Vuori, according to The Daily Upside. Here’s how it works – tell ChatGPT what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend, and voilà , the bot serves up personalized picks you can purchase on the spot. Handy for savvy shoppers…dangerous for impulse buyers.
Car insurance prices keep racing higher. The average full-coverage policy now tops $2,600 per year – that’s 12% more than in 2024 and a whopping 50% higher than in 2020. If you think you’re paying too much, don’t stay stuck in neutral. This week, we’re sharing expert hacks for cutting costs. One key tip – don’t overlook smaller, regional insurers. "Just because you haven’t heard of them yet doesn’t mean they won’t have something great to offer you as a customer," explains Beth Swanson from The Zebra, an insurance comparison site.
🚦 Ready to find a better deal? Here are our top picks.
Who says there’s an age limit when it comes to entrepreneurship? As The Wall Street Journal reports, nearly 30% of employed individuals in their 70s are self-employed. That’s almost double the percentage of those in their 60s. "These emerging septuagenarian entrepreneurs share many motives with younger counterparts," writes Clare Ansberry. "They want to be their own boss, set their own schedules and pursue meaningful projects." Others are simply catching up on retirement savings. Bottom line? It’s never too late to reinvent your career.
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💌 You’re Invited: Join The HerMoney Podcast’s Exclusive New Space
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Hi friends – Jean Chatzky here. I’ve got something new (and exciting) to share with you.
For years, you’ve told us how much you love our HerMoney Podcast conversations — especially the mailbags with Kathryn and our real-life listener Q&As. You’ve also told us you want more…more episodes, more depth, more chances to connect.
Well, we’ve been listening. I’m excited to introduce something brand new: The HerMoney Podcast Patreon, a subscriber-only space where you can get closer to the show (and to the team and me!) than ever before.
🎥 Watch the video above for all the details – or, here’s a quick peek at what you’ll get with HerMoney Plus:
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Vote in exclusive polls to help shape future content
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1-2 bonus episodes each month
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Front of the line access to having your $ questions answered
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Ad-free listening
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Access to "After Hours with HerMoney" – deeper, more daring money conversations about life, love and the financial choices that shape us
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Your $5 per-month subscription doesn’t just unlock more content – it helps bring these honest, empowering conversations to women everywhere.
👉 Join us here and become a founding member of our next chapter!
Thanks for being part of the HerMoney family 💜
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Things That Save You Money
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Investing isn’t just about growing your money – sometimes it comes with extra goodies. Certain companies reward their shareholders with perks. For example, owning shares of Carnival or Royal Caribbean cruise lines can literally help pay for your piña coladas at sea.
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Up to $200 off your next flight? Yep, that’s an AARP perk. And yes, the rumors are true… anyone can join – you don’t have to be 50+!
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Ready to turn your $2 box of Kraft Mac and Cheese into a comfort food masterpiece? Try these clever hacks – like stirring in a can of condensed tomato soup – to take your next bowl from basic to brilliant.
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The Gen X Guide To Retirement Planning
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"Do it yourself retirement was all of a sudden the name of the game…[but] the financial education piece just wasn’t there," Kerry Hannon, author, Retirement Bites
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The oldest Gen X’ers are just a few birthdays from retirement – and for many, that milestone brings more anxiety than excitement. Planning for retirement has always been trickier for this generation.
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Called "the slacker generation" at times, the odds were largely stacked against Gen X from the start. Traditional pensions were disappearing just as they entered the workforce. 401(k)s were becoming a thing, but many struggled to understand them.
"Nobody provided us with the financial education to know what to invest in, and frankly, there weren’t very many options," Kerry Hannon, senior columnist at Yahoo Finance and co-author of Retirement Bites. "Nor could you put very much money into a 401(k) at that time. ‘Do it yourself retirement’ was all of a sudden the name of the game…[but] the financial education piece just wasn’t there."
If that hits home, tune into the latest HerMoney Podcast, where Hannon explains why retirement planning can feel so daunting for Gen X and how you can turn your worry into optimism.
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Ask Jean
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Today’s question comes from Alexis. She writes: Are you aware of any banks that have loans to assist furloughed workers?
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With the government shutdown dragging on, it’s no wonder furloughed workers are feeling the stress of figuring out how to keep the bills paid (and increasingly anxious given this week’s headlines).
On the loan front, there are options. Senator Bernie Sanders put together a handy list of nearly a dozen interest-free loans that furloughed federal employees can apply for. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re eligible.
Beyond that, don’t hesitate to reach out to your federal representative. Sometimes, there are state-level programs or resources that can help bridge the gap. You can search for your Congressperson here and your Senator, here.
And here’s a tip that often gets overlooked – pick up the phone and talk to your creditors, landlord, or utility company. No guarantees, but explaining that you’re furloughed can sometimes lead to payment plans, temporary relief, or other accommodations.
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Submit your questions to Jean here.
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More For You To ♥
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🏡 Only about 55% of U.S. renters have insurance – but most agree it’s important. If you rent, protecting your belongings from theft, fire, or other damage is one of the smartest money moves you can make. Here’s a look at some options to get you started.
🏃♀️ Elite triathlete Chelsea Sodaro made history as only the second mother to win Ironman Kona. But behind the scenes, she was struggling with postpartum anxiety and depression. Learn how she went from crisis to comeback on How She Does It.
👗 Skip the splurge, keep the style. Armoire is your BFF with the endless wardrobe. Sign up here for up to 60% off your first month of membership + two free bonus items!
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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.
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*This is a sponsored post
A.M. Best Company assigns ratings from A++ to S based on a company's financial strength and ability to meet obligations to contract holders. A- (Excellent) is the 4th highest of 16 ratings. Visit www.ambest.com. Ratings are current as of 10/3/2025 and subject to change. Group 1001 assets under management are as of December 31, 2024.
Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company ("Gainbridge"), is a digital platform and wholly-owned subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (Group 1001) and affiliated with Gainbridge Life Insurance Company. Annuities are long-term retirement vehicles designed for retirement purposes. They are not intended to replace emergency funds, to be used as income for day-to-day expenses, or to fund short-term savings goals. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK/CREDIT UNION GUARANTEE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
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