As the weather turns colder and the daylight becomes shorter, you may be busy planning for the holiday season. But something else worth focusing your attention on during this season is your finances. Like your physical health, your financial health needs an annual check-up. Before…
Note: This post may contain triggers for those who have been in abusive relationships or been through sexual assault. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the U.S. Domestic Violence (Including Financial Abuse) Does Not Discriminate Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion…
We live in a world filled with alluring advertisements and seemingly indispensable products. So, it’s no wonder we sometimes buy things we don’t need and regret it later. In a survey on buyer’s remorse, Americans attributed online shopping regrets to persuasive advertising and irresistible low…
There are few maxims in personal finance more beloved than “You should have a paid-off house in retirement.” Whether they actually happen in real life or are just the stuff of legend, the dream of a middle-aged homeowner hosting a mortgage-burning party persists. But let’s…
![Is Landscaping a Good Investment? [+ improving curb appeal on a budget]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/landscaping-in-front-of-home-768x402.jpeg)
When it comes to return on investment (ROI) for home projects, kitchen and bathroom renovations often come to mind. But, more than ever, people value landscaping and curb appeal over other home features. And according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), landscaping projects are…
![Our Estate Planning Experience [Why we set up a trust]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/estate-plan-file-folder-768x402.jpeg)
Estate planning is one of those things everyone knows they should do. Still, most don’t do it. According to a recent Caring.com survey, only one in three Americans has a will or trust. And these statistics make sense when you see why people don’t do…
You’ve finally decided to be your own boss. You won’t miss your overbearing manager, endless meetings that should have been emails, or white-knuckled commute. But you certainly will miss some of the perks that came with the job, like health insurance or a retirement savings…
Venmo is a payment app that makes sending and receiving money easy. And with over 80 million users and two million merchants, it’s super convenient too. But, like all payment apps, Venmo has its downfalls. For example, there are fees for some transactions, and it…
If there is one thing that personal finance gurus all seem to agree on, it is this: You should have a Roth IRA account. Alongside budgeting and having an emergency cash reserve, it has assumed its place as bread-and-butter advice. And why shouldn’t it? What…
In early 2018, I left my corporate career in human resources to go on what I then called a sabbatical. Five years later, I’m a freelance writer, business coach, and writing mentor. The in-between is a journey I reflect on often, and I’m grateful to…
Many stay-at-home moms want to supplement their family’s finances with a side income. But being a stay-at-home parent takes a lot of time. One study showed stay-at-home moms work over 90 hours a week! In other words, stay-at-home moms struggle to find time to earn…
The many fans of Jill Schlesinger – her podcast “Jill on Money,” her appearances on CBS News, or her 2019 destined-for-classic-status book “The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money” – will likely need little convincing that the “The Great Money Reset” deserves a…
People often turn to loved ones in times of financial hardship. They might ask for a loan, financial advice, or help with budgeting or finding a job. But I have a relative that recently asked for a different type of financial help. Their financial circumstances…
I couldn’t help but look. On the release of the November 2022 US inflation report, the word “inflation” yielded 845 million Google search results. After peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, inflation is still having a moment. So it’s not surprising that you may feel…
Self-confidence is hard to define, yet it’s a concept we all feel and understand. Many believe it’s an essential key to success. When our confidence is high, it gives us the courage to speak up and try new things. But when it’s low? It feeds…
Even if you are a natural optimist, there may be times when your financial future will seem dim to you. The cause could be as dramatic as a job loss or a medical emergency that completely upends your financial plans. It may be the sudden…
The past few years were record-breaking years for weather and climate-related disasters. From extreme heat, droughts, and floods to severe storms and wildfires, natural disasters were widespread. According to Climate.gov, in the last two years, 40+ different billion-dollar disasters occurred in the U.S. alone. Disasters…
It’s that time of year again. You’re seeing notices or getting emails from human resources talking about the upcoming Open Enrollment period and the need to make some healthcare decisions. There’s information for a variety of different insurance plans and their costs available for your…
Financial independence commonly creates an image of work-free leisure in people’s golden years. But in recent years, the concept of FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) has inspired people to pursue the goal of financial independence before traditional retirement age. Yet early retirement isn’t necessarily the goal…
Helping someone with money can be a double-edged sword. Assisting a loved one financially might temporarily get them out of a difficult position, yet if they believe they can always rely on someone else to get them out of a rough spot, it can deter…
The decision to move a long distance can be life-changing. And while it’s exciting to think about a new job or locale, there’s also a lot of uncertainty. Uprooting your life to embrace new ventures can be challenging. And there’s a lot to consider when…
Buying now and paying later when shopping online has become America’s new way to pay—a natural progression for a country that runs on credit. In fact, 60% of consumers use or have used the buy now pay later (BNPL) services for purchases, while 50% are…
Are you looking for ways to earn extra income while staying at home with your kids? The good news is that stay-at-home moms can make money in many different ways. Whether you need a side income, a replacement for a full-time job, or want to turn…
![Retirement Problems and Potential Solutions [Book Reviews]](https://womenwhomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/young-woman-reading-books-studying-768x402.jpeg)
Among the many (many) commentators in the personal finance space who write about planning for retirement, Teresa Ghilarducci is unique. She’s a professor of economics at The New School for Social Research, the Director of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA), and The…
When we’re young, it’s hard to picture ourselves or our loved ones as older adults—especially older adults in need of care. But many of us will need care as we age. Once we reach our 65th birthday, we have a 70% chance of needing some…
It’s not breaking news that almost half of married couples will eventually divorce; after all, America has the 6th highest divorce rate worldwide. Yet even though divorce is so common, we still hold distorted views about the reality of divorce and how it impacts women….
Saving for retirement is like the Goldilocks effect. Many people don’t save enough, some save too much, and others save just enough. Yet, half of U.S. households‘ retirement savings fall short, so financial experts often encourage people to save more. But what about the other…
One of the most challenging jobs in life is parenting. Besides just keeping our children fed, clothed, and clean, there’s so much we need to teach them about life, from how to care for themselves to having healthy relationships with others. And that’s where this…