| Subscribe Read in Browser |
 |
|
|
|
|
| Act Quick And Make These 3 End-of-Year Money Moves |
As 2025 winds down, it’s the perfect time to make a few intentional money moves that can put you on a firmer footing for the year ahead.
On HerMoney.com, we’re sharing three smart money moves to tackle now – and Jean’s complete end-of-year financial checklist is waiting for you on the HerMoney Podcast Patreon.
One of the big ones – rebalancing your portfolio. After a strong market year, many portfolios quietly drift out of alignment, usually becoming more stock-heavy than intended. That’s not because you did anything wrong. It’s just what happens when equities outperform.
Rebalancing means reviewing your asset allocation and adjusting it back to your target mix. In practice, that often means selling a bit of what’s done really well and reinvesting in areas that haven’t — which doesn’t always feel great in the moment, but is one of the most proven ways to manage risk over time.
Think of it as taking some chips off the table. You’re not timing the market. You’re protecting your gains so that when (not if) the market dips, your portfolio doesn’t take more risk than you signed up for. |
|
|
|
| Things That Save You Time |
|
|
|
|
|
| This Week In Your Wallet |
 |
Planning to return some of your holiday gifts? It could come with a price tag. According to Yahoo Finance, about 72% of retailers now charge fees for some returns, up from 66% last year. And, while fees were once limited to electronics, return fees are showing up on everything from clothes to beauty products. "Retailers want to minimize returns. That's because even when a returned item can be resold or returned to a vendor, doing either of those costs money," Yahoo Finance reports.
The holidays are drawing to a close, and if you’re considering divorce, you’re not alone. January marks the start of what’s often called "divorce season," a three-month period when filings spike. Along with the emotional toll, divorce brings financial challenges. If you think a split is in your future, experts recommend starting with a full inventory of your assets and liabilities – from investments and retirement accounts to debts like credit cards and mortgages – and reviewing your tax return. "So many times I know one of the spouses just signs off on the tax returns," says Sylvia N. Guinan, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and senior private client financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors. "Now, you’ll need to take a deeper dive into the tax documents because they will disclose a lot of information as well."
❤️🩹 Need some extra guidance? HelloDivorce helps people navigate divorce with clarity, less stress, and for a lot less money. Visit HelloDivorce.com to explore cost-effective plans, self-guided tools, and real support from people who get it.
For many, the New Year is a time to make – and break – resolutions. But what if, rather than vowing to wake up early every morning to exercise, you set a financial resolution that could actually change your life in 2026? We’ve rounded up 8 of them, including going on what Alina Fisch, founder of Contessa Capital Advisors, calls a "spending fast." Set a period of time – a week, a month, or even six months – where you spend no money beyond your basic necessities and fixed expenses, such as groceries, housing and utilities. "It’s a way to stop the cycle of impulse consumerism and become more aware of your priorities," Fisch says. |
|
|
|
| Ask Jean |
 |
| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Jen. She writes: I'd like to set up an IRA for myself in 2026. How do a regular IRA and a Roth IRA differ when it comes to taxes? Is one better than the other? |
| A: |
Excellent move, Jen! As you noted, the biggest difference between the traditional and Roth IRA is the tax break. A traditional IRA gives you a tax deduction now, while Roth IRAs don’t – but Roth withdrawals are tax-free later, and traditional IRA withdrawals are not.
You could make a decision about which IRA is best for you based on that single piece of information. For example, if you know you’ll be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are now, the Roth’s tax-free withdrawals are more valuable to you. If you’re in a high tax bracket right now or predict your tax rate will be lower in retirement, a traditional IRA is a good choice.
No crystal ball for your future taxes? No worries – here are other key differences that could help you decide. Once you pick your IRA type, it’s time to choose where to open it. Start exploring your options here. |
|
| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We maintain a strict editorial policy and a judgment-free zone for our community. We strive to remain transparent in everything we do. Website posts and newsletters may contain advertisements, links and mentions of products from our partners. Learn more about how we make money. |
| *This is a sponsored post |
|
