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This Week In Your Wallet
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You spotted a coworker lunch money. You bought your mom a birthday gift and your sister promised to split it. Sound familiar? Asking to be paid back is awkward – but it doesn’t have to be. Etiquette pro Lizzie Post says it’s all about walking a fine line between being too demanding and too passive. "Be straight up when you ask, and be clear," says Post. If direct feels hard, try a reframe. Negotiation expert Sheila Heen suggests turning it into a question. "Ask about how they would like to pay you back, whether it’s Venmo, check, etc. You can also make a suggestion—for example, ‘Hey, do you want to cover dinner tonight? Because then I think we will be even.’" Here’s more on how to ask for money you’re owed…without making it weird.
The first of the nation’s baby boomers are turning 80…and they’re not going quietly. Instead, they’re set to redefine what it means to get older. There are nearly 15 million Americans in this age group today, and that number is expected to double within the next two decades. That shift will ripple across healthcare, housing, your wallet and more. "New professions and products will appear," reports The Wall Street Journal. "Their massive spending will shift and innovators will follow." One big area that will see changes: healthcare. "They’ll ask for more in-home diagnosis and treatment, telemedicine, wearable devices, support for caregivers and breakthroughs to prevent dementia and cognitive decline," explains the WSJ.
If you’re a family caregiver, you already know…it’s tough out there. The unpaid labor you provide is valued at roughly $1 trillion – a staggering burden that falls disproportionately on women and often puts them behind when it comes to saving for retirement. Now, two bipartisan bills moving through Congress could finally offer some relief. One would loosen Roth IRA contribution rules for caregivers; the other would let caregivers of any age make catch-up contributions to workplace retirement plans, like 401(k)s. "Caregivers need all the help they can get," says Cindy Hounsell of the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement. "A lot of times they have to leave their jobs to take care of parents, children, or in-laws. So these bills are a good thing and a step in the right direction." We’ll be watching.
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Things That Save You Money
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Ask Jean
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Marisa. She writes: Is it true that making security updates to my home can lower my homeowners’ insurance bill?
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| A: |
In many cases, yes. Certain security and safety upgrades can earn you a discount on your homeowners' insurance. That’s because insurers price your policy based on risk, so when you take steps that make your home less likely to be damaged or burglarized, that can translate into savings.
Think of it this way – upgrades that reduce risk may lower your premium, while upgrades that increase replacement cost or liability (like a pool or high-end finishes) can push it higher.
Some improvements that may qualify for discounts include:
• Installing a monitored home security system or burglar alarm
• Adding smoke detectors, fire alarms, or sprinkler systems
• Upgrading your roof, especially to more weather-resistant materials
• Replacing old plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems
• Installing storm shutters or impact-resistant windows
Insurers especially like upgrades that prevent costly claims…things like water damage, fire, or theft. A monitored alarm system, for example, not only deters break-ins but can also alert authorities quickly, limiting potential damage.
Anything you do to make your home safer can put you in a better position to lower insurance costs, but you don’t automatically get the savings unless you speak up. So if you’ve made improvements, don’t assume your insurer knows about them. Call and ask specifically which upgrades qualify for discounts and what documentation they need. And if you’re already blocking off time to be on the phone, it’s probably a good time to compare quotes from other insurers, too. You can do that here – and you may find a better deal elsewhere.
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Submit your questions to Jean here.
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When Building A Brand
Is An Extreme Sport
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Nicole Bernard Dawes has built not one but two consumer brands from scratch…and she’s not done yet. At 29, she launched Late July Snacks, the brand known for its organic, non-GMO tortilla chips that became a $100+ million company before being acquired by Campbell's in 2018.
After a success like that, you’d think Bernard Dawes would have been ecstatic. But instead, she felt sadness."It was pretty devastating, honestly," she tells Karen Finerman on How She Does It. What she missed was the fast-paced, day-to-day work of helming a new business. "Running an emerging brand is like my extreme sport," she says.
So, she did it again. Almost immediately after the sale of Late July Snacks, she founded Nixie in 2019. The soda and sparkling water brand is now in 11,000 retailers nationwide, and Dawes was just named to Inc. Magazine‘s 2026 Female Founders 500 list.
For Bernard Dawes, one of the best parts of her work is bringing her A-game to the extremely competitive beverage space. "I wake up every day, and I can’t even believe I get to do this as a job," she shares. "And, that’s how you should feel about what you do for work."
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The Closet Clean-Up You Need!
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Armoire makes getting dressed the easiest (and smartest) part of your day. For as little as $89/month, you can borrow the premium pieces your closet craves — from professional staples to weekend stunners — with free shipping, cleaning, and styling baked in. Sign up here for up to 60% off your first month of membership + two free bonus items!
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*This is a sponsored post
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