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| Stat Of The Day |
| 45.1 Million |
In the battle of saving vs spending on travel, wanderlust wins. New numbers from AAA show that Memorial Day travel is set to break records this year, with 45.1 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend. |
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| Things That Save You Money |
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Saving cash on your next hotel stay could be as simple as knowing the red flags to look out for when you book – for example, photos that look a little *too* perfect. Check out the list here…and then keep scrolling for more tips to save. |
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Ready, set plant. Gardening can help you save big bucks on groceries (have you SEEN the price of raspberries?). Bonus: Studies show it also boosts cognitive function. |
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Young bookworms can once again earn free books through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program. If you have a kiddo in first through sixth grades, get the deets here. |
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| The Student Loan Pause Is Over. Here Are the Steps To Take Now. |
This month, the Trump administration officially restarted collections on defaulted federal student loans, marking the end of a five-year pause that started in his first term. During the pause, borrowers weren’t penalized for falling behind on repayment. Now, the administration is saying it’s time to pay up.
And if you don’t? You could see your wages garnished, your Social Security payments reduced, and yes — even your credit score take a hit.
On the latest HerMoney podcast, Jillian Berman, student loans expert and author of the new book, "Sunk Cost: Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It," breaks down who is most at risk, and how to get your payments back on track if you’re in default.
If you’re wondering where you stand now that the pause is over, Berman suggests logging onto studentaid.gov to check. If you’re in default, for most people, the best next step is to contact the Default Resolution Group, a group at the Department of Education that will connect you with programs to get on the right track. As Berman explains, people typically do that in two ways – rehabilitation or consolidation.
If you’re delinquent, or you know you’re behind but not yet in default, "that’s when you should call your student loan servicer and try to get into an affordable repayment plan," says Berman. "For most people, that’s going to be something called income-driven repayment. But there are other options that could help." |
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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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If you’re house hunting, the market may finally be on your side. While mortgage rates remain a challenge, experts say there are some factors making it easier to get the keys to a new place. One of them? Prices are "falling back to earth." As USA Today reports, the Mortgage Bankers Association expects prices to rise only 1.3% in 2025. Realtor.com data backs this up. In April, 18% of home listings dropped their prices – the highest April share in the site’s data since 2016. "This trend suggests that sellers are adjusting their expectations in the face of affordability challenges and weaker buyer demand in some markets," Realtor.com economists say.
$1,000 for every newborn. That’s just one of the proposals tucked away in the proposed GOP tax bill. Nicknamed "MAGA accounts," the accounts would be established and funded with $1,000 in seed money from the Treasury, and families would have the option to add $5,000 each year. As The Wall Street Journal reports, investments would grow tax-deferred, and then be taxed as capital gains when withdrawn for covered expenses – for example, education-related costs or buying a first home. While the proposal still needs legislative approval, it’s estimated that the new accounts would cost the Treasury $17.3 billion over 10 years, the WSJ reports.
Got creativity? Make it pay by opening an Etsy shop. This week on HerMoney.com, we’re showing you how to get started in 10 easy steps. "While setting up your online shop may seem overwhelming at first, it’s actually much easier than you think," writes Anni Irish. "Your shop will become a home base for your products, and your online storefront. Etsy has made setting up a shop easy for its users — even those who have never sold their products online before." Depending on how much time you put into it, you could earn hundreds or even thousands per month via an Etsy shop. Recent stats show the average successful seller makes between $43,000 and $46,000 annually. |
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| Ask Jean |
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Today’s question comes from Kym. She writes: Which websites offer the lowest price for hotels? |
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A new Bankrate survey shows 54% of adults plan to spend less on travel, dining and live entertainment this year compared to 2024. That said, what would summer be without those things?
For those who have the itch to travel, but not the budget to match, there are things you can do to save on lodging. Luckily, the savvy travelers of our private HerMoney Facebook group are swapping tips to help you see the world for less. Some of our favorites include: |
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Use discount travel websites, but then book direct. "I get a better deal by looking up hotels in the area on sites like Priceline and Expedia, picking out two I’d like to stay at, and then making a call to the hotel," says Julie. "If the rate they give me isn’t lower than what I’ve found online, I let them know and they’ll usually drop their price." |
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The further away from a tourist attraction, the lower your rate will be, says Kathy, who opts to stay in nearby suburbs instead of city centers. "Most cities have public transit – use it," she suggests. "Make sure your hotel is within a short walk to the train station, or that the hotel provides a free shuttle. Use the savings to eat dinner at fancy restaurants, shop, or sightsee." |
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Check out hotel rewards programs, like The Guestbook, suggests Cheryl. "Hotels give cash back for booking directly with the platform, and larger amounts if you instead apply those savings toward a future reservation," she says. For example, with a recent NYC reservation, she could select $104 cash back, or $312 for a future stay. |
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HerMoney reader Sheila says when it comes to discount hotel booking sites, Priceline gets a gold star. PS, experts say even better Priceline deals can be found in their app. |
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Don’t forget about special discounts. "When you’re booking direct with a hotel, remember to click the dropdown for special discount codes," says Sarah. "Some of the more typical ones are for government employees, AAA members and resident rates if you reside in the state where you’re booking." |
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| Before you book, check out this article too for more tips to help you save. Happy travels! |
| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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| More For You To ♥ |
🧐 Think you’ve got the plan to hit your retirement savings magic number all figured out? Let’s find out for sure with a 6-week pre-retirement checkup designed just for women who want to retire smart and strong.
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