Good morning, HTM fam!

Quick reminder that tomorrow is Tax Day! Hopefully you didn’t wait until now, you know, the veryyy last second to file your taxes. But if it slipped your mind or got lost in the chaos of life, make sure you have everything filed by tomorrow!

LIFESTYLE

Prom Night or Met Gala? 💃

We may remember prom as a bunch of awkward photos and dancing with friends, but these days it’s starting to give more red carpet energy, and the price tag is keeping up!

Between professional hair and makeup, dresses and suits, flowers, tickets, and transportation, costs can add up fast. This puts pressure on teens and parents. Your kids want the perfect night, and you just want it to not cost a down payment.

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on your daughter’s “dream dress” that will live in her closet forever, there’s a much more budget-friendly option: renting.

Renting clothes is a game changer for a few reasons. You get access to designer labels, better quality, more options, all for a fraction of the price! This isn’t just a prom thing. Renting clothes is an underrated money move that you can use no matter your life stage. If you’ve got an event like a:

• Wedding

• Work Event

• Holiday Party

• Gala

Or anything that requires you to go a bit more “all out”… renting can give you that movie-star quality without having a movie-star budget. Because how often do you really wear formal outfits? Most of the time (especially for women… men have it a bit easier!) those expensive outfits just sit in your closet after you’re done with them. By renting, you get more variety, flexibility, less guilt, and it’s more sustainable!

Plus, it takes the pressure off. When you’re not dropping a ton of money on one outfit, it’s easier to focus on having fun, making memories, and enjoying the night without worrying about keeping your dress pristine.

A few good websites to look into:

• Rent the Runway: A great option for formal events and professional clothing, with some casual options as well. This site only caters to women!

• Nuuly: Also for women, this site has more casual clothing options. Great if you want to spice things up for vacation, but don’t want to blow your travel budget on outfits!

• Rent with Thred: For the men! They have a plethora of casual clothes as well as some great formal options.

Renting isn’t the best solution for everyone all the time. Owning staple items in your wardrobe is better than renting on the reg. But don’t forget to consider rental sites for those irregular clothing needs! 🏷️

HOME

To Buy or Not To Buy? 🔐

Buying a house is huge. Like… life-changing (and budget-crushing!) huge. And while home ownership is often painted as the ultimate milestone in one’s life, plenty of people, especially those who rush into it, discover the not-so-fun side: surprise repairs, big utility bills, never-ending maintenance, and feeling trapped in a place you don’t love.

It’s easy to get caught up in the dream of having a white picket fence, but if you overlook the less glamorous parts of homeownership, it can easily become a nightmare.

And let’s be real: owning a home isn’t just a financial commitment, it’s a lifestyle choice. It can tie you to a location and responsibilities that you didn’t fully anticipate. And when you’re not fully prepared, that exciting milestone can easily turn into regret.

The good news? Renting is perfectly okay! Buying a home may get you a lot of congratulations texts, but once the excitement wears off, you might start daydreaming about the simpler days of renting. When you rent, you have a lot more freedom and flexibility, and far fewer responsibilities. Renting allows you to:

• Move to a new city for a new job, or just for fun, whenever you want!

• Call the landlord with your maintenance issues, instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new dishwasher.

• Save and invest money that isn’t being put toward homeowners insurance or property taxes (two big expenses that tend to get overlooked)

Home ownership can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not for everyone. If the idea of being responsible for every repair, every bill, and every decision stresses you out, renting can be a smart choice. And if you are looking to buy, ensuring you have a well considered home-buying plan can alleviate some of the headaches that come with it… because trust us, there will be headaches!

Owning a home should feel like the exciting, rewarding step that it is, not handcuffs. Know what you want, understand what you’re getting into, and remember that renting is a perfectly acceptable option for as long as it suits your lifestyle. 🏠

TOGETHER WITH TURBOTAX*

Last-Minute Tax Help Solopreneurs Should Know Before Tax Day ✔️

Tax Day is tomorrow and TurboTax is here to help taxpayers, including self-employed individuals and small business owners who may be confused with all the recent tax lax changes.

Solopreneurs and small business owners will be matched with business tax experts who specialize in your industry - helping you maximize deductions and feel confident that your taxes are done right and on time. 

How TurboTax Experts for Business Helps:

• Save You Money: TurboTax Experts uncover deductions and savings, keeping more dollars in your business.

• Access to Experts: Matched to your industry with an average of 12 years of experience, TurboTax Experts securely prepare and file your taxes - virtually or in person.

• Year-Round Tax Support: TurboTax Experts for Business provides unlimited expert support year-round—beyond tax day—at no extra cost, plus full audit protection.

• Seamless Integration: TurboTax integrates with bookkeeping software like QuickBooks to skip manual data entry and get a personalized, done-for-you experience.

Check out TurboTax Experts for Business and get matched with a TurboTax Expert who will be by your side to handle your taxes and maximize your deductions.

RETIREMENT

Already Dreaming of Retirement? 🏖️

Whether you’re fresh into the workforce or just have a few years left, I’m sure we’ve all dreamt of retirement before. Whether that looks like traveling the world or sipping margaritas on the beach, the truth is, you won’t be able to enjoy it unless you plan for it.

Across the country, the average retirement age is slowly trending up. It’s not because people love to work or miss their coworkers too much, but due to:

• Living Longer: People are living longer, healthier lives, which is great! But that also means your retirement savings need to last longer, possibly 30+ years. If you’re not comfortable with your nest egg, working a couple more years is a helpful solution for many.

• Social Security Changes: The full retirement age for Social Security benefits has also been rising, meaning the age at which you can collect 100% of your benefits is higher than it used to be. If you were counting on a bigger Social Security check, delaying retirement will help significantly.

• Financial Pressures: Living in 2026 is expensive. For many retirees, life without a regular paycheck can be stress-inducing and large expenses in retirement can be daunting.

While this can all seem overwhelming, if you’re decades away from retirement, you’ve got plenty of time to ensure you’re on the right path! No matter how old you are, you should:

1. ⏰ Start Now: Maybe you feel like you’ve got all the time in the world, or maybe you feel like you’re “too old” and that it’s not worth it. Both of those thoughts are wrong. Start saving now. Small amounts add up and truly matter.

2. 📈 Prioritize Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts: IRAs, 401(k)s, or other employer-sponsored accounts (especially if they come with a match) are your ticket to a more comfortable retirement.

3. ⏳ Budget With the Future in Mind: Before blowing your money on impulse buys now, consider what that money could do if it was invested instead. Your future self will thank you! (hint: the rule of 173 is worth knowing)

4. 🤷‍♂️ Plan for Flexibility: Maybe you want a side hustle to catch up on contributions, or maybe you want to work part-time instead of fully retiring. Retirement doesn’t have to mean not ever working again. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

The average age of retirement may be increasing, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. The key is taking intentional steps with your money today so you can retire when you want, and still be able to live the life you actually want to live.

Even if you’re just getting started, or your savings are on the modest side, don’t sweat it. The best time to start is today.🍹

ICYMI!

Your Weekly Update…

Is the Housing Market Crashing? 🏠
After years of housing chaos, the market is slowing down a bit. Buyers are hesitant and prices are easing, but nothing too dramatic. Think of this as a housing cooldown, not a collapse.

Frugal or Cheap 🤔
If you’ve been trying to think of more creative ways to save money, this list is a mix of interesting ideas and a few that we may suggest you skip out on. Fun for some inspiration… but maybe leave the “borrowing” behind.

Baggage Fees Increasing ✈️
Delta Air Lines is now the third major U.S. airline to raise checked bag fees, following United Airlines and JetBlue Airways. It may be time to get some vacuum-sealed storage bags to make your carry-ons hold more!

One last reminder — file those taxes if you haven’t already!

Best friends out! 🍻