Do you know more about investing than the average American? Take this quiz to find out. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The pleasure of picking out a unique gift you believe someone will appreciate has been replaced by the mandatory wish list. And is it me or are more adults feeling emboldened to ask for extraordinarily expensive items, making the holidays feel more like money grabs than a time for thoughtfulness?

Don’t believe what you hear on TikTok, @michellesingletary.bsky.social knows what’s up

Thank you for your research into this, Ruth!

Not sure if it's ok to round up for charity? The Washington Post's @michellesingletary.bsky.social used the paper @laurendula.bsky.social & I wrote to help challenge some misconceptions about charitable giving at the checkout. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202... #nonprofitsky #academicsky

When the holidays come around, we may feel more inclined to give to charity. But that help is needed all year long. I joined the Try This podcast to discuss why and how we should make charitable giving part of our regular budget. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/try...

#BuyNothingDay but also @michellesingletary.bsky.social always has smart advice

You don't have to overspend to enjoy the holidays. LISTEN to the latest episode of Post Reports with special guest...ME! www.youtube.com/watch?v=G74V...

A holiday shopping survey from Wallet Hub says 61% of Americans say they would enjoy the holidays more if people didn’t exchange gifts. What do you think?

Thanks for dropping in!

Two years ago, I wrote about how my kids don't want my house (or my ashes) when I die. It's still one of my favorite columns and they still don't want my house. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

It might seems weird but Thanksgiving is a great time to talk about estate planning with your family. It could be one of the few times when everyone is together. I'm not saying you have to bring it up while dessert is being served. But find some time to have the difficult but important conversation.

Sure, just sentence people to mortgage debt for life 🙄 Trump Proposes 50-Year Mortgages: Potential Benefits and Drawbacks for Homebuyers www.realtor.com/news/real-es...

Have you ever been charged to attend a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving? I know money is tight, but there are other ways to afford hosting that don't involve asking for cash from your friends and family. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Great article (as always) Michelle! Thoughtful and genuine giving, but not at the expense of yourself and your relationship with the other, is absolutely more difficult than it sounds.

"How can I help?" This question is being asked a lot these days. Here are some ways to make sure your dollars are going to the right places. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Big Tech’s spending spree on AI is helping prop up GDP growth, even as many AI ventures remain unprofitable. If this boom fizzles, economists warn, the entire economy would be hit. @michellesingletary.bsky.social (gift link) wapo.st/3JBTq2A

She writes about retirement savings — and Nvidia’s epic run isn’t changing her winning strategy. wapo.st/3JBTq2A (gift link) @michellesingletary.bsky.social

You may be in a financial position to give charitably right now. That's amazing. But don’t donate blindly. Scammers have gotten better at making charity pitches appear authentic. For info on how to find a reputable charity, go to consumer.ftc.gov and search for “Before Giving to a Charity.”

I believe that to whom much is given, much is required. So when someone you care about faces a crisis, you help. But you must be discerning about the financial assistance you offer to friends and family. You do them a disservice if your aid is a constant handout rather than a hand-up.

I received this question from a reader. My adult sister has $16,000 in credit card debt. How do I help her out of this pickle without coming off as controlling? She won’t discuss her finances with me.

When times get hard, we may be tempted to go for the quick fixes. Beware of these money traps that could leave you more cash-strapped in the long run 👇

Open enrollment is coming! But due to rising costs, health care choices are less than ideal www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Sorry to laugh but this is adorable. It’s never too early to learn about saving and spending. Good job, parents! Sorry, Little Glinda 🙃 people.com/4-year-old-g...

Here's a FREE LINK to my column on who you can call if you're experiencing financial hardship due to the government shutdown. Please share! wapo.st/3W7fNjc

Did you buy one of the viral gold bars from Costco? If so, I want to hear from you! I'm working on a column about the price of gold hitting $4,000. Leave a comment and email me @ [email protected] to share your gold bar story.

We don’t know how or when this government shutdown ends. But there are resources to help if you’re not getting a paycheck. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Unfortunately, we did not win. But I am still incredibly proud of my team and everything that we accomplished with “Scammed.”

I'm in NYC for the 2025 Loeb Awards. My series, "Scammed" is a nominee in the personal finance category. Wish me luck 🤞

Job cuts are hitting a lot of industries, from retail to tech. The federal workforce is under attack, yet again. If a friend comes to you with news of a job loss, think carefully before offering words of comfort. Avoid saying these things when someone loses their job 🤫

Prime Days...Big Deal Days...whatever they call it, those slashed prices aren't always a bargain. Here are some tips to avoid being suckered by Amazon sales. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

How would you spend your money if you only had a year left to live? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

This is what Grace looks like people.com/mom-pulled-o...

If many of us operated our household budgets like the federal government, we would be considered reckless and irresponsible. And yet, here we are again, facing another showdown over a shutdown.

What’s the most outrageous situation where you’ve been asked to leave a tip? On my column about tipping culture, one reader commented that they were prompted to leave a tip after making a donation on a website. Look, I like to leave a tip when I can but that’s just outrageous!

Trump's 'no tax on tips' won't solve America's tipping problem www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

You can wait around for the rapture but those student loan bills are coming either way.

WELCOME!

Are you a job seeker who’s being ghosted by employers? @michellesingletary.bsky.social wants to hear your story. Read on for her advice on how you can save your sanity, and how employers can do better. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Have you ever been ghosted by a company after going through multiple rounds of interviews?

Employers are ghosting job applicants. It’s cruel and unprofessional. Has this happened to you?

Have you been ghosted by a job? For job seekers, the application and interview process is draining enough. Never hearing back from the employer just makes everything worse. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

In the spring, I tried to warn you to stay the course with your long-term investments despite President Trump's roller-coaster trade wars. I hope you took my advice. A surge in the stock market has created a record number of retirement millionaires. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Inflation rates may change but my advice stays the same. You have to budget! Here are some ideas for cutting back that you can do today. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

I'm less than 500 followers away from a milestone 20k on Instagram! I'm hoping to reach that number by the end of the 21-Day Financial Fast. Go follow me now and hop in on the fast. www.instagram.com/singletarym/

So, you won the lottery! Here's what your next steps should be. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Nobody won last night's $1.4 billion #Powerball jackpot. Winning that much money could be life-changing, wealth without good money management skills can leave you broke. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Sorry, but you can’t buy a Powerball ticket when you’re on the Financial Fast 🫣

I'll be live TONIGHT @7pm ET on Instagram to discuss the 21-Day Financial Fast

Plan on playing the lottery? Winning big doesn't always make your problems go away. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...