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| Insurance, But Cheaper: Smart Ways To Save On Home And Auto Insurance Premiums |
Auto and homeowners insurance premiums are among the biggest budget busters we deal with. But here’s the good news – there are clever hacks to cut costs.
This week, we’re sharing our guide to saving, which can help free up cash for your bigger money goals (we’re looking at you, debt payoff and investing).
When it comes to car insurance, costs have jumped 55% since 2020. One way to reduce your premium? I know you’ve heard it before — but it’s the very best way to cut costs: Shop around.
A recent survey shows 75% of U.S. drivers don’t shop for new auto insurance annually – and that’s a costly mistake. Comparing options can save you hundreds (if not thousands) a year. Here’s a great place to start.
For our full guide to saving on home and auto insurance premiums, head here. |
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| This Week In Your Wallet |
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Looking to end the year on a generous note? Before you hit "donate," you might want to check the calendar – and the tax code. Major changes to federal tax law are coming in 2026, and as The New York Times points out, timing your gifts could make a real difference. "Changes this summer to the federal tax law, effective Jan. 1, mean that high earners who itemize deductions may see more of a benefit if they donate before the end of this year," reports the NYT. "People who take the standard deduction, however, may be better off waiting until next year."
More than half of Americans turning 65 between 2021 and 2025 will need some form of long-term care. And while no one likes to think about it, planning ahead can make a big difference. If you’re exploring long-term care insurance, one way to save is by choosing coverage for a set number of years instead of lifetime benefits, as Kiplinger reports. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), a policy that covers up to five years of care can cost 16% to 27% less each year than one with unlimited coverage. Makes sense. Especially when you consider that the average number of years that people who need care use it is three.
🧐 It’s never too early – or too late – to start planning for long-term care needs. See what your options look like here.
Winter isn’t just for hunkering down on the couch and binging Netflix. Put that downtime to good use by giving your credit score some love. Start by checking your score, then take a closer look at how much you’re putting on your cards each month. Even if you pay your bills on time, using too much of your available credit can drag your score down. The sweet spot? Try to keep your spending to about 30% or less of your total credit limit. If you’re consistently bumping up against that ceiling, asking for a credit limit increase could help, just be sure your spending doesn’t climb along with it. |
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| Your End Of Year Money Playbook |
By the numbers, 2025 has been a mixed year—markets have surged and inflation is moderating, but household debt has hit a record high, leaving many feeling stretched.
With the New Year just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to check in with your money and make a few smart moves that can set you up for an even stronger 2026.
On an exclusive episode of the HerMoney Podcast – available only to our Patreon subscribers – Jean Chatzky walks through the steps you can take now to protect what you’ve built and get proactive about your finances.
Think of it as your personal financial checklist covering everything from tax strategies to investment tweaks that will help you start the New Year with confidence and clarity. Join the HerMoney Patreon and listen in here. |
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| Things That Save You Money |
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If you’re looking for a special holiday breakfast recipe, you can stop your search. One HerMoney staffer swears by this "Monkey Bread," made with just six inexpensive ingredients – most of which are probably already in your pantry. |
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Instacart convenience can come at a cost – and it’s not the same for everyone. A new report found that some grocery prices differed by as much as 23% per item between customers. |
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Sometimes, all it takes is seeing where your money actually goes to make you rethink that third trip to TJ Maxx this week. Simplifi, the budgeting app from Quicken, tracks your spending in real time – so there’s nowhere to hide. Even better? HerMoney readers get it for just $2.99 a month. |
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| Jen Hatmaker On Reclaiming Her Financial Life After Divorce |
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Life has a way of jolting us awake – often during a major life change. For bestselling author Jen Hatmaker, it was a divorce.
In her new memoir, "AWAKE," Hatmaker describes rebuilding from scratch after her 26-year marriage ended. On the HerMoney Podcast, she tells Jean Chatzky that even as her family’s primary breadwinner, she realized post-divorce that she didn’t know what accounts she had, which bills were in her name, or how to begin untangling her financial life.
With the help of a financial planner – and a pretty lengthy financial to-do list – she was able to get back on track. "When my financial advisor gave me that list, I went out and cried in my car; I was so overwhelmed," she shares. "But I just started pecking away bit by bit."
The payoff was a feeling she hadn’t expected – safety. With her taxes handled, her accounts organized, and her home refinance complete, Hatmaker realized she wasn’t just capable, she was fully in control. "I’m in charge now of my financial future," she says. "And I will never lie to me. I will never steal from myself."
Want to follow her lead? Check out the details of Hatmaker’s 90-day crash course in becoming financially "awake" here. |
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| Ask Jean |
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| Q: |
Today’s question comes from Lizzy. She writes: "I am getting my children a new puppy for Christmas. Does pet insurance make sense, or is it a waste of money?" |
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How fun! That is, once you get past the potty training part.
In short, pet insurance is a good idea. A recent survey shows pet costs – vet bills, grooming, the works – are up 42% since 2019. For many owners (myself included), insurance can make furry friends more affordable. (As a pup, my dog Norman had an incident when he stepped on a carpet that had recently been cleaned, then licked his paws and ended up in the ER. Insurance saved us thousands then and has continued to through his bouts with allergies, anxiety and many ear infections.)
Depending on the type of policy, coverage can include accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, dental disease, and behavioral issues.
The best way to think about pet insurance is a lot like human health insurance. When buying pet insurance, you purchase the policy hoping that you won’t have to use it. But with it, you have the peace of mind knowing that you can safely say "yes" to necessary and increasingly expensive health care if an accident does occur or your pet becomes sick.
As with any insurance plan, you’ll want the most coverage at the most affordable price point. Essentially, you’re looking for a provider that will offer coverage specific to both your pet’s needs and your own financial needs. "If you can pay for the yearly visits and the vaccinations, but you think if my pet gets cancer, I can’t do a $3,000 vet bill, then that is the type of coverage you are looking for," says Melissa Gutierrez, SVP and General Manager of Pets Best.
Most insurers offer a variety of plans — you’ll just need to do your homework and compare each one. Typically, the standard plans offered by most pet insurance providers include accident and illness, accident-only, and wellness, which can also help defray costs for annual check-ups. |
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| Submit your questions to Jean here. |
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| More For You To ♥ |
🎁 One HerMoney staffer scored 40% back on a single J. Crew order using this simple browser plug-in. The payoff? $90 in gift cards – aka, free money she’s now using to knock out the rest of her holiday shopping list.
👩🍳 From accountant to culinary powerhouse: Star of "Next Level Baker" and "The Chew" Carla Hall shares her unique career path and her recipe for success on the latest episode of How She Does It.
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