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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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If you think your 40s are a time to settle into your career, think again. As The Wall Street Journal reports, a tough job market is pushing many to return to college or trade school to pursue career changes. Today, more than 1 million people in their 40s are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs. "Some are making radical career changes, going from chef to software engineer. Others are getting higher degrees to stand out from peers as qualification standards intensify," writes the WSJ. "Some who skipped college after high school return to the classroom because they can’t get top jobs without degrees."
The latest (and sneakiest) contributor to the gender wage gap? Your commute. A growing body of research shows that longer commute times push women out of the workforce – especially married mothers. One recent study found that just a 10-minute increase in average commute time reduces the likelihood that married women in an area work by 4.4 percentage points. The effect grows with the number of children in the household and is strongest for moms with young kids. "I think it’s very strong evidence that commuting is bad, but particularly for women," Jordi Jofre-Monseny, a co-author of the study, tells The Atlantic.
Annuities are officially having a moment. In the first three quarters of 2025 alone, sales hit $347 billion – up 4.4% from the same period in 2024. Translation? Many people are looking for greater certainty about retirement income. If you’ve been considering an annuity, here’s the key thing you need to know – they aren’t all created equal. This week, we’re breaking down what you really need to know about the three most common types, starting with fixed annuities, the simplest of the bunch. With a fixed annuity, you give an insurance company a lump sum, and in return, you get a steady paycheck. Just like a CD, you choose a time period and an interest rate, and both are locked in. Fixed annuities work the same way, with returns based on factors such as current interest rates and the length of time you’ll be receiving that payout, which is a function of your life expectancy.
🧐 Curious whether an annuity might fit into your retirement plan? We’ve made it easy to explore your options. |
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| Things That Save You Time |
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| Stay Low, Keep Moving: The Confidence-Building Mantra Of 2026 |
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A new year brings fresh goals…and let’s be honest, a few curveballs, which makes now the perfect moment to talk about what it really means to invest in yourself. Not just financially, but mentally, emotionally and professionally.
Enter Maha Abouelenein, a global communications strategist and author of the bestselling book "7 Rules of Self-Reliance: How to Stay Low, Keep Moving, Invest in Yourself, and Own Your Future." She joined the HerMoney Podcast to share her blueprint for building confidence, creating opportunity, and taking charge in 2026.
Abouelenein’s guiding mantra for the New Year? Stay low, keep moving. In a world full of noise – endless obligations, constant comparison and social media scrolls – it’s about putting on blinders and focusing on what actually matters.
"Staying low is my way of putting on blinders to focus…because if I spend all my time lobbing tennis balls, I’m not actually working on the things I need to improve," says Abouelenein. "Staying low is about how you stay focused, so you’re not doing what everyone else wants and then not getting your own things done that fill your cup or make you happy or progress you forward a month, six months, or a year from now." |
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| Ask Jean |
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Anna. She writes: What’s the difference between car insurance and a car warranty? |
| A: |
Car insurance and car warranties may sound similar, but they protect you from different things.
First up, car insurance. This is your safety net for major, unexpected stuff. It typically covers accidents, theft, vandalism, weather damage and liability if you cause damage to someone else’s vehicle. That’s why it’s required by law in most states. In a nutshell, insurance is designed to protect you financially when bad things happen.
On the other hand, car warranties primarily focus on what’s happening under the hood. They help cover repairs when specific parts – like your engine, transmission, or air conditioning – fail due to defects or wear and tear after the original factory warranty expires. Unlike insurance, no one is legally required to carry a warranty; it’s meant to simply soften the blow of costly repairs.
For many drivers, the two work well together. Insurance steps in for accidents and theft, while a warranty can help when mechanical issues pop up.
If you’re considering a car warranty, it’s worth slowing down and doing your homework. Coverage can vary widely, so comparison shopping – and understanding what’s included – is essential.
If you want to explore your options, we’ve rounded up several top-rated providers in one place. You can compare coverage, perks (like 24/7 roadside assistance and special discounts just for our readers) and pricing to see what makes sense for you and your ride. |
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| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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