Happy Tuesday, HTM Fam!

Did you know that today is National Princess Day? 👸

The term “princess treatment” gets thrown around a lot — from fancy dinners to luxury gifts. But the thing is: showing someone you care doesn’t have to trash your budget.

You can roll out the royal treatment and stay financially savvy. Here’s some inspiration:

• ☕️ Make them a specialty coffee or breakfast in bed — bonus points if you skip the Starbucks run.

• 🛁 Prepare an at-home spa night by running your special person a bubble bath complete with a relaxing playlist.

• 💐 Surprise them with flowers — grocery store bouquets are underrated (and you can usually can find small bunches under $10).

• 🥪 Do something that makes their week easier, like prepping lunches or running an errand.

At the end of the day, love doesn’t have a price tag, but it does have value. Treating someone like they are royalty doesn’t mean spending more; it means being thoughtful with what you have.

REAL ESTATE

The Bank of Mom and Dad 👫🏦

Ever wonder how your coworker managed to buy a house while you’re still trying to keep up with rent and rising grocery bills? Turns out, many first-time homebuyers are getting a little help from what we like to call, the “Bank of Mom and Dad.”

According to the National Association of RealtorsⓇ, about 1 in 4 first-time buyers used a gift or loan from family or friends to cover their down payment last year. With home prices still sky-high and mortgage rates hovering around 6%+, that extra boost can make all the difference.

The good news?

• 🏠 Homes are sitting on the market longer, and sellers are willing to negotiate again.

• 📈 First-time buyers without family help do eventually buy, usually just a couple years later.

• 💰 You don’t need 20% to put down — the median down payment for first-timers is now just 9%.

So if the “Bank of Mom and Dad” is closed for you, don’t stress. Keep saving, stay patient, and play the long game. Your keys will come. 🔑

LIFESTYLE

Traveling Without Breaking the Bank ✈️

If your last vacation feels like forever ago, you’re probably daydreaming about your next one. But with prices creeping up everywhere and savings goals still in sight, the real question is: can you travel without throwing your budget off track?

The answer: yes, if you travel smart.

Here are some ways to make traveling more accessible:

🗓 Be flexible. Flying midweek or during off-peak seasons can cut flight costs by 10–30%. Also, if you don’t have a particular destination in mind (but a general climate or region), you can take advantage of the best deals instead of being locked into one route or destination!

💻 Watch for Travel Tuesday deals. Airlines and hotels drop major discounts right after Thanksgiving. Just make sure you know the going rates before booking so you can spot a real deal in short order.

🛏 Sleep smarter. Full-home Airbnbs aren’t always the cheapest anymore, but private rooms often are. If you’re traveling solo or with one other person, a private room could be a cheap, convenient way to stay for less.

🎟 Balance splurges with steals. Go big on one special experience, then mix in free activities like walking tours, markets, or museums.

🎫 Use your points. Even a modest stash of miles or hotel rewards can unlock perks like discounted car rentals, late checkout, or a sweet upgrade. Or, a more substantial stash can pay for the flights themselves!

You don’t have to put your financial goals on pause to see the world or take a much-needed break. With a little planning and flexibility, you can travel well and still come home with your savings intact.

TOGETHER WITH FACET*

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Whether you’re mapping out retirement, tackling debt, or figuring out a smarter tax strategy, Facet gives you a clear path forward and a partner who sticks with you as your goals evolve. Real advice, real people, and real progress, all in one place.

See how simple financial planning can be with Facet.

ECONOMY

The Gift of Spending Smart 🎁

If the most stressful part of the holidays isn’t the cooking or travel, but the spending, you’re not alone.

A new U.S. News survey found that 79% of Americans are worried about affording gifts this year, up sharply from last year. And while over half of Americans say they’ll try to pay off purchases right away, fewer people feel confident they actually can.

So how do you stay generous and financially grounded?

📝 Spend with a plan. Decide how much you’ll spend before you start shopping, and stick to it.

💳 Use credit cards strategically. Pick the one with the best rewards or cash back rate, and pay it off when your statement hits. You may even have points you can redeem to cover purchases.

🎅 Participate in Secret Santa. If you have a large family, consider Secret Santa for the adults. This cuts down on how many gifts you need to buy, and usually comes with a pre-determined budget per person so you know what to expect.

🕐 Shop smart. Black Friday and Cyber Monday can still bring real savings, but only if you’re buying things already on your list.

What should you avoid whenever possible?

Avoid using credit cards (or “buy now, pay later” plans) for things you can’t actually afford. It might feel painless in the moment, but interest and late fees can turn a $50 gift into a $75 mistake quick. If it’s not in your budget today, it shouldn’t be in your cart.

CARS

New Car, New Tax Break? 🚗

A new $10,000 “car loan tax break” is making waves, and on paper, it sounds like free money for anyone buying a new ride.

Tucked inside the One Big Beautiful Bill is a No Tax on Car Loan Interest deduction. Basically, if you buy a new, U.S.-assembled car after December 31, 2024, you can write off the interest you pay up to $10,000 per year through 2028.

Sounds great, right? Not so fast.

To qualify, your car must:
✅ Be brand-new (used cars and leases don’t count)
✅ Be assembled in the U.S.
✅ Be for personal use, not business
✅ Come with a loan taken out after Dec. 31, 2024
✅ And your income? Under $100K (or $200K if you file jointly)

So yes, it’s real, but it’s really specific.

Even if you do qualify, don’t expect life-changing savings. A $40,000 car loan at 7% interest equals about $2,580 in interest the first year. For someone in the 22% tax bracket, that’s around $570 back on your taxes. Not nothing, but not worth buying a new car for.

If you were already planning to buy a new car and it happens to qualify, great. That deduction can help offset some costs. But don’t let a headline drive your decision.

The best savings still come from buying what you can afford, paying cash whenever possible, and shopping for the lowest rate.

ICYMI

Your Weekly Update…

Free Money? Don’t Count on It. 💵
President Trump is floating the idea of $2,000 rebate checks funded by tariffs, but economists, Congress, and even his own Treasury aren’t exactly sold. Here’s what needs to happen before that money ever hits your account.

$980 for a Cup of Coffee?! ☕
One Dubai café is pouring the world’s priciest cup at $980 — and calling it a “piece of history.” And here I was thinking $7-8 for a latte was out of control…

Pizza Hut’s Slice Is Shrinking 🍕 
Pizza Hut’s been losing ground (and dough). Now Yum Brands might sell the chain altogether after years of slumping sales and shrinking market share.

Now go out and give someone (or yourself) the princess treatment today. Just be sure to do it the smart, wallet-friendly way! 👸