🗑️ 10 financial things (and habits) you’ll never regret throwing away

Stat Of The Day

15%

What’s cookin’? A whole lot, says Campbell’s. Americans are firing up their stovetops at levels not seen since the start of the pandemic. Sales of broth (a must-have in so many recipes) are bubbling up 15% and Rao’s pasta sauce is seeing a 2% boost. (Pro tip: if you buy it, buy it at Costco where it’s so much cheaper than at many grocery stores.) But not everything is simmering nicely. On the snack side (think Goldfish, Cape Cod Chips, etc.), sales are starting to crumble as budget-conscious consumers cut back. And of course, there’s the Ozempic factor.

10 Financial Things (And Habits) You’ll Never Regret Throwing Away

Spring might be wrapping up, but there’s still time for a little last-minute spring cleaning – especially when it comes to your finances. Now is the perfect time to tidy up your money habits, clear out what’s no longer serving you and make room for smarter choices. Just like that forgotten box under your bed, some money-related things are better tossed out for good.

This week on HerMoney.com, experts are sharing ten financial things you’ll never regret getting rid of. One item on the list? Subscriptions you no longer use. A recent survey shows the average consumer has 3.3 subscriptions collecting dust, costing them $32.84 per month.

Spring is the perfect time to nix them from your budget – but you have to find them first. “Start with your credit card and bank statements—scan for recurring charges,” suggests Gregory Furer, CEO and founder of Beratung Advisors. “Then, check your phone’s app subscriptions, especially through Apple or Google Play. Don’t forget bundlers like Amazon or your cell phone provider, which often resell services you may not even realize you’re still paying for.”

This Week In Your Wallet

Can’t decide whether to save or splurge? You’re in good company. Welcome to the era of “cautious consumerism.” Personal spending rose just 0.2% in April. Meanwhile, the savings rate jumped to 4.9% in March from 4.3% the month prior – the highest level in nearly a year. Still, consumer confidence is on the rise, with sentiment ticking up in late May. As MarketWatch’s Quentin Fottrell puts it: “Personal spending is down, yet consumer confidence is higher. It’s not an anomaly. It’s the sign of a smart shopper.” Translation? Financial security is knowing you could splurge, but choosing to save. Now that’s a flex.

Shout-out to the super savers. New numbers show Americans are stashing more cash for retirement than ever before. Data from Fidelity shows that the average 401(k) savings rate reached a record 14.3% of income in the first three months of 2025, just under the 15% benchmark that many advisers recommend for a 40-year career. As The Wall Street Journal reports, average 401(k) balances have fallen 3% since the end of last year – but people are continuing to save and many are changing up their strategy “Among the more than 24 million people whose 401(k) accounts are administered by Fidelity, 6% changed their investment mix in the first three months of the year, with just over one-quarter tilting more conservative,” the WSJ notes.

Money challenges are universal, but the LGBTQ+ community faces some unique hurdles. This Pride Month, we’re spotlighting ways to build financial confidence, like working with professionals who really understand your goals. “Financial planning for people in the queer community may or may not be unique,” says Mindy Neira, a CFP with Modera Wealth Management. “But finding a queer financial planner who can be your ally and walk you through your own unique challenges can make all the difference in ensuring you have a solid financial plan today, and over time.” Having someone who truly understands your experience can help you prepare for the distinct financial realities LGBTQ+ individuals often face, including, in many cases, higher lifetime expenses, Neira adds.

Things That Save You Money

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Boost your savings with the “last digit hack.” Just look at the last digit in your checking account balance and move that dollar amount into your savings (you could do this every day, every week, or every other week – whatever works for you!). The brains behind the method says it helped him save over $1,200 over the course of a year.

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Don’t believe everything you read. That goes for food labels, too. Here are five myths about food expiration dates and best-by labels. Spoiler alert – you definitely don’t need to toss food the minute that date hits.

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One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. Looking for proof? Peep the Olio app, which helps users give away items they no longer need or want – everything from food to furniture.

Ask Jean

Today’s question comes from April. She writes: What is better for a first-time home buyer: An adjustable or a fixed-rate mortgage? What are the pros and cons?

Let’s start with the basics: the difference between a fixed rate and an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains, with a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate is locked in when you take the loan out and won’t change. With an ARM, the interest rate may fluctuate. “Many ARMs will start at a lower interest rate than fixed-rate mortgages. This initial rate may stay the same for months, one year, or a few years. When this introductory period is over, your interest rate will change on a regular interval, and the amount of your payment is likely to go up,” the CFPB notes.

Choosing between the two comes down to a handful of key factors – mainly how long you plan to stay in the home and your willingness to gamble on where rates go once the fixed period on an ARM ends. “ARMs are typically favorable for someone who has a shorter time horizon for the home or believes that they will be able to refinance when the fixed portion of the term ends or that interest rates on the variable rate will be lower in the future,” explains Christopher Rand, a CFP and Managing Partner with FIDES Wealth Strategies Group. “The potential downside is that they are unable to get a better interest rate and must pay market interest rates in the future.”

If you decide to go the ARM route, the CFPB recommends getting details on the following before you sign on the dotted line:

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How high or low your interest rate and monthly payments can go with each adjustment

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How frequently your interest rate will adjust

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How soon your payment could go up

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If there is a cap on how high your interest rate could go

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If there is a limit on how low your interest rate could go

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If you will still be able to afford the loan if the rate and payment go up to the maximums allowed under the loan contract

Submit your questions to Jean here.

More For You To ♥

💄 Pop music trends, lipstick sales, banana prices and more have us questioning…are we in a recession right now? Hear what one expert has to say on the latest HerMoney Podcast.

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