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This Week In Your Wallet
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"Boycott" and "529 plans" don’t usually go together – but for David Blanchett, head of retirement research at Prudential, they do. Instead of locking money into a college-specific account for his four children, he’s opting for more flexible, taxable investments. "We are actively saving money that we may use for college," Blanchett said. "But not necessarily." As The Wall Street Journal explains, Blanchett and other parents are rethinking 529s altogether because for many, college feels less like a sure bet. Costs keep climbing and with AI shaping the job market, the payoff isn’t as predictable as it once was. Still, 529s aren’t going anywhere – in fact, contributions jumped 8% in 2025. As the WSJ notes, even Blanchett’s own twin brother is sticking with the traditional route.
And speaking of college, if you have a Parent PLUS loan, consider this your nudge – time is running out to keep payments affordable. Under new rules, these loans must be consolidated into a new federal loan by June 30, 2026, to remain eligible for income-driven repayment plans. But here’s the catch – the Department of Education had recommended applying by April 1 to allow time for processing, and that date, obviously, has come and gone. As The New York Times explains, while there currently aren’t any reported processing backlogs, the clock is ticking. If you miss the June 30 deadline, your loan will be moved to a newly redesigned repayment plan, which could come with significantly higher monthly payments. Bottom line? If any of this applies to you, get moving ASAP.
"No spend" challenges tend to get framed as all discipline and deprivation. But as Lacy Garcia, CEO of Willow, writes for HerMoney, that misses the point. Most of our spending is done on autopilot – driven by habit, convenience and emotion. Garcia’s Willow 5A Model – Aware, Aspire, Act, Adapt, Appreciate – is all about shifting from passive habits to more intentional money choices. A no-spend month using this framework can result in lasting changes. The first step, "Aware," helps you decide what stays. Needs like housing, groceries, utilities, etc., are clear. Then come your "must-haves" – the things that truly support your well-being (this could be anything from a standing coffee date at your favorite cafe to a weekly pilates class). "The key is that these are intentional choices, not default habits," writes Garcia. "Everything outside of those two
categories simply gets paused. This is where the shift begins – not in cutting everything out, but in choosing what truly earns its place."
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🛒 We Want A Peek Inside Your Grocery Cart
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Ever wondered if your weekly grocery haul is actually working for your budget... or unintentionally draining it? HerMoney has teamed up with Consumer Reports to find out.
We're launching a special edition of our popular podcast series, "A Week In Her Wallet," focused entirely on grocery spending. No need to share your full financial picture, just your cart for the week.
We're looking for women to track their grocery shopping for one week and then chat with Jean about what they found. Whether you're a bulk buyer, a multiple-trips-a-week shopper, or someone who genuinely cannot leave Trader Joe's for under $100 (I mean, who among us can??), we want to hear from you.
Want to be considered? Fill out this form.
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Things That Save You Time
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The Economy, Explained (In A Way That Might Actually Change Your Life)
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You probably have a general sense of what the economy is. You know it affects your grocery bill, your mortgage rate, and your job security. But how it actually works – and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage? That’s a different story.
That’s exactly what Planet Money contributor Alex Mayyasi tackles in his new book, "Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life."
Many of us were raised to think of the economy as something that happens to us – a distant system run by people in suits. But Mayyasi flips that idea on its head.
"The economy is the greatest invention in human history and we are all part of it," he shares. "It is made of us, all of us as humans, interacting, pursuing our interests and values, looking for trades, impacting people on the other side of the world in ways we can’t even see."
Mayyasi’s book opens with a line Jean said she couldn’t stop thinking about: "On good days, the economy is the background to our lives. On bad days, the economy is like a cage you can’t escape."
That framing is empowering – because, as Jean and Mayyasi discuss on HerMoney, once you understand what the economy actually is and how it works, you stop feeling like a passive participant and start feeling like someone who can actually navigate it.
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Ask Jean
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Alexis. She writes: I’m planning a family vacation for this summer and considering getting travel insurance. What are the key things I should be looking for?
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It’s easy to start thinking about travel insurance when the headlines get a little stressful (which lately, they have). That said, not every trip needs insurance.
Here’s a better rule of thumb that I use: If losing the money you spent on your travels would be a real financial hit – or if there’s a meaningful chance your plans could change – it’s worth considering. Think big, prepaid, nonrefundable trips, complicated itineraries, or travel where health concerns (yours or a family member’s) could come into play.
On the flip side, if it’s a quick domestic getaway, or a relatively inexpensive flight, you might decide to skip it – or just book refundable tickets instead. Simply put – use it when the risk (financial or otherwise) is high enough to justify the cost.
When you do decide to buy a plan, don’t overcomplicate it; just start with the fundamentals. Wendy Marley, a travel advisor with AAA Northeast, says the two areas to zero in on are trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical limits.
"I recommend a policy to my clients that covers them for a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical expenses and $500,000 for emergency medical evacuation, depending on where they are traveling to in the world," she explains.
From there, get clear on the details that matter most:
• Is the medical coverage primary or secondary?
• Is there a 24/7 global emergency assistance line?
• Are delays, interruptions, and baggage issues included?
And lastly, ask yourself what you are most concerned about. "Some policies give you more coverage for particular circumstances than others," Marley adds.
If your eyes start to glaze over comparing policies, that’s your cue to call in backup. A travel advisor can help you sort through the options, or you can check out our list of trusted providers.
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Submit your questions to Jean here.
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More For You To ❤️
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🥫 HerMoney Most Clicked: Refresh Your Pantry To Save Money And Get Organized
🎧 New episode alert: Content creator and New York Times bestselling author Vivian Tu – aka Your Rich BFF – shares her best advice for building a business, creating wealth, and leading a team on How She Does It.
👣 Ready to dip your toes into investing? It’s never been easier to get started. Today’s brokerage platforms come loaded with perks – think commission-free trades and the ability to buy fractional shares. Plus, some even sweeten the deal with cash bonuses when you fund your account. Take a look at a few of our favorite options here.
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