Giving thanks for inflation, Paul Mescal and more

plus un-useless inventions + a weasel
͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
November 27, 2024 • Issue #263
Dollar Scholar

Hi y’all —

Happy almost Thanksgiving! I'm writing this from an exit-row seat on a JetBlue flight from New York City to Orlando, where I'll be spending this week's holiday with my family. I'm 36,000 feet in the air, and I gotta say, things don't look quite so bad from up here.

I'm looking forward to Thursday not only because of the food — I swear I could eat an entire apple pie on my own — but also because I like pausing from my busy life to reflect. I'm so grateful for so many things, including Dollar Scholar; it's such a privilege for me to be able to write this newsletter every week.

So before I tuck into my turkey, here's a quick rundown of what I'm thankful for this year…

  • abating inflation

Although it might not feel like it, inflation is on a pretty steady decline. Thanks in no small part to the Federal Reserve, which has started cutting interest rates in an attempt to make borrowing money cheaper, the consumer price index reached 2.6% last month. That's down from 3.2% in October 2023 and 7.7% in October 2022.

  • IRS Direct File

The government soft-launched its own free tax-filing service earlier this year, creatively called IRS Direct File. Although residents of only 12 states were able to participate in the pilot, the IRS is now dramatically expanding access.

So far, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming have signed on for next year. (That's 24 states!) About 30 million people are expected to be eligible to submit their taxes for free through the IRS Direct File in 2025.

Given the often-predatory industry of tax software — if you haven't read ProPublica's excellent reporting on the issue, go do so immediately — this warms my heart.

  • Paul Mescal's thighs in Gladiator II

'nuff said.

    Be sure to bring up politics at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s going to save you money on Christmas gifts
    • Goldilocks Windows

    As someone who travels a lot, I'm thankful for “Goldilocks Windows,” which are booking periods that tend to come with major flight discounts. (They're named Goldilocks Windows because they're neither too early nor too late — they're juuust right.) If I'm planning a domestic trip, the prime window to book is about one to three months ahead of time; for international trips, it's two to eight months ahead of time. Read more in Issue #201.

    • wage growth

    Wage growth is at 4.6%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which means it's outpacing inflation. And additional raises could be on the way: Employers say they intend to increase salary budgets by 3.9% on average next year. That's great, because I need more disposable income so I can buy…

    • Cretors caramel corn

    I think I've eaten three bags of this stuff in the past six weeks. Sweet, crunchy, a little salty: It's the perfect dessert. NOBODY TELL ME THE NUTRITION FACTS.

      • my metal credit card 

      As we learned in Issue #225, most credit cards these days are made from PVC because plastic is resistant to water and wear. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred that I got last year is made of metal. It weighs about 13 grams. 

      On one hand, I know the metal card is a marketing ploy — Chase wants me to reach for it before other cards so it can maximize the profits it makes off my transactions. (Those interchange fees seriously add up.) But on the other, I feel really cool when I slap my card down on the table at brunch and it makes a metallic clang.

      • the New York Mets

      This year, I threw myself into Mets fandom, and it has been incredibly fun! I love Grimace, "OMG" and Citi Field hotdogs. I ride or die for Francisco Lindor. We might not have won the playoffs, but we sure tried. Catch me in the stands again come 2025.

      • savings buckets

      I absolutely adore my Ally savings buckets, which I've come to see as a crucial tool for achieving my financial goals. On paper, buckets work because of mental accounting, or the behavioral theory that people make decisions about money based on its source or intent. In practice, I like them because they keep me organized and provide peace of mind. When I can assign my dollars purpose, then I can spend them without guilt.

      • you!

      I'm grateful you — yes, you — support my exploits and follow along as I ask experts off-the-wall questions about personal finance. I appreciate your readership, your replies, your questions and your pet photos more than you could ever know.

      The bottom line
      (but please don't tell me you scrolled past all of my hard work)

      I've got a lot to be thankful for.

      Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
      via Giphy

      Smart MONEY MOVE
      snag a sweet CD

      Woman sitting on an increasing bar chartIf you want to grow your money with higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and you’re OK with locking up those dollars for a while, a CD (aka certificate of deposit) may be right for you. Economists expect the Fed to cut rates once more this year, so now might be an ideal time to open a CD and boost your savings. With some financial institutions offering up to a 4.3% APY, clicking below to explore your options should be a no-brainer. Go ahead.

      Check out Money’s list of the best CDs for 2024.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Receipt of the week
      check out this wild celebrity purchase
      Cillian Murphy
      via Instagram

      Actor Cillian Murphy and his wife, artist Yvonne McGuinness, just made an appropriate investment: They bought a 105-year-old movie theater in Ireland. The couple intends to refurbish The Phoenix, which is the only theater on the Dingle peninsula and holds particular significance for Murphy. "My dad saw movies there when he was a young man before me, and we’ve watched many films at The Phoenix with our own kids," he said in a statement. Did someone say Barbenheimer part two?

      Internet gold
      five things I'm loving online right now
      1
      Single shoes started going missing recently from a kindergarten class in Japan. After 15 sneakers from 10 different kids were stolen, the police got involved and apprehended the thief: a weasel. “It’s great it turned out not to be a human being,” a local officer told the Associated Press. Although the weasel has not appeared since being caught on camera, the school has installed weasel-thwarting nets across its shoe cubbies.
      2
      Now I'm thinking about weasels. This was a great breakdown of The Lady With the Ermine, a 15th-century painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
      3
      OK, onto bats! Did you know humans can learn echolocation? (Me either.) Here's an Atlas Obscura guide to teaching yourself, courtesy of a man who did it himself.
      4
      I love these "un-useless" inventions that solve everyday problems by Kenji Kawakami, creator of the Chindogu movement.
      5
      Paris Paloma's new album is very good, in my not-so-humble opinion.

      401(k)9 CONTRIBUTION
      send me cute pictures of your pets, please
      Umma
      via Brooke Lacey 
      This is Umma. Umma is resting up to beg for scraps at the table, dreaming of all the financial pawducts that have made her life better this year.

      See you next week.

      P.S. What are YOU thankful for this year? If you bought a movie theater, what's the first film you would show there? Do you have any good Christmas cookie recipes? Send feedback to julia@money.com, and your reply may appear in a future issue!

      Facebook
      Twitter
      Instagram
      Youtube
      LinkedIn
      TikTok
      Threads
      This newsletter is free because Money earns a commission when you click or make purchases from the links in this email and on our site. We also receive compensation for some of the products and services featured in this message. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Learn more about how we make money.

      Privacy PolicyAdvertise With UsWe're Hiring!

      To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.

      Copyright ©2024 Money Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

      Metro Office Park Calle 1, Building 7 Suite 204, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968, USA

      Older messages

      Earn higher APY with a short-term CD

      Tuesday, November 26, 2024

      Rates as high as 4.50% for 12 months ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      Do You Expect to Rely on Social Security?

      Tuesday, November 26, 2024

      The number of Americans anticipating to is on the rise ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      In times of transition, investors search for reliable investments, like this…

      Friday, November 22, 2024

      Invest in a time-tested asset ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      Prepare for a better future, starting today

      Wednesday, November 20, 2024

      Protect yourself and safeguard your financial well-being. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      Issue #262: Bin it and try again

      Wednesday, November 20, 2024

      plus Lamb Chop love + Bluesky ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      You Might Also Like

      Is your Medicare coverage falling short?

      Tuesday, December 3, 2024

      This may be the perfect time to get a Medigap plan Explore all your Medigap options All Medigap plans cover certain costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that Medicare doesn't

      The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

      Tuesday, December 3, 2024

      Transplants are learning tough lessons ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      Missed Out? Here’s Your Final Opportunity to Join F.A.S.T Profits!

      Tuesday, December 3, 2024

      Last call ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

      Dirt-cheap toys imported into U.S. can be dangerous

      Tuesday, December 3, 2024

      If you're tempted to buy kids' toys at rock-bottom prices online this holiday season, consumer advocates want you to think twice — and maybe three times. View this email online Planet Money I

      Adaptation is to mitigation what Robin is to Batman

      Tuesday, December 3, 2024

      Jenny Clark and Theresa Löber The UK's climate continues to change, getting wetter and warmer, with extremes becoming ever more pronounced. Even if we limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-

      🦾 OpenAI's big target

      Monday, December 2, 2024

      OpenAI is aiming for one billion users, China's manufacturing activity was up, and one intrepid cat | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for December 3rd in 3:14

      Identity theft is more common than you might think

      Monday, December 2, 2024

      Three in 10 Americans were affected in 2023 ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

      The One-Big-Side-Bet Model of Wealth Creation

      Monday, December 2, 2024

      Plus! Diff Jobs; Building Japan's Financial Ecosystem; The New Balance of Trade; Where Return on Investment Goes; Broken ETFs; Swipe Fees and Accounting The One-Big-Side-Bet Model of Wealth

      This is not a Cyber Monday deal

      Monday, December 2, 2024

      But you have one month free of Ellevest. ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌

      Spring semester is approaching — are you ready?

      Sunday, December 1, 2024

      Invest in your career with a private student loan for grad school Your future starts today — apply for a private student loan Postgraduate studies can propel your career forward, helping unlock higher