Good morning, and happy Tuesday!

Today is National Shopping Reminder Day! 🛍️

But let’s be honest, most of us haven’t needed a reminder since our inboxes started getting flooded with “can’t-miss” deals.

With Black Friday right around the corner, now is a great time to hit unsubscribe more often. Fewer emails = fewer impulse buys.

And remember: a sale isn’t a “deal” if you weren’t planning to buy it in the first place.

So this week, make a quick list of the things you truly need and the gifts you actually intend to give. Then see which Black Friday discounts genuinely match your list.

Happy (intentional) shopping!

GOVERNMENT

The Government Reopens its Doors 🚪

The government is officially back open, but we wouldn’t say it’s “back to normal” quite yet.

After a 43-day shutdown (the longest in U.S. history), federal agencies are flipping the lights back on, but many core services will take time to catch up. Here are a few of the key takeaways:

SNAP benefits are restarting, but timing varies. 🛒

The good news: the bill that reopened the government fully funds SNAP through September 2026.

The not-so-good news: because states handled the shutdown differently, some households received full benefits, others partial, and some none at all. Full payments will resume, just not at the same speed everywhere. If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, keep an eye out for updates from your state agency.

Air travel won’t bounce back overnight. ✈️

Air traffic controllers worked unpaid for six weeks, and staffing shortages forced the FAA to cut flights at 40 airports nationwide. Those reductions are now frozen at 6% as staffing improves, but airlines still need time to rebuild schedules and reposition crews.

With this week being one of the busiest travel times of the year, it’s important to keep an eye on your plans for any delays or changes, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a Plan B.

The IRS is back open, but delays may impact tax season. 📄

Refund processing, phone support, and appeals appointments were all paused or slowed during the shutdown. Add in earlier staffing cuts, and the IRS is staring at a significant backlog heading into the 2026 filing season.

Deadlines and tax laws still stand, but the agency says it’s working to get operations back on track. Just prepare for longer wait times and potential delays in refunds come early next year.

The government may be open, but the ripple effects will take time to settle. We’ll keep you updated on the money-related parts that matter most.

ECONOMY

More $150K Households… With a Catch 🤔

More and more families are earning over $150K. Great news! But that also doesn’t give us the full story.

If you look at the chart above, one trend jumps out: the share of American families earning over $150,000 (adjusted for inflation) has climbed dramatically. Back in the late ’60s, only about 5% of households were in that group. Today, it’s closer to 34%. That’s a huge shift. Time to celebrate, right!?

Before we assume everyone’s suddenly swimming in disposable income, it’s worth putting this into context.

Over the last few decades, far more households have become two-income households, which naturally pushes the total family income higher, even if individual wages haven't skyrocketed at the same pace. In other words: yes, more families are earning $150K+, but many are doing it with two full-time paychecks.

And that leads to an important money reminder: higher income doesn’t automatically equate to financial security.

When families start earning more, especially when both partners are contributing, it’s easy for lifestyle creep to sneak in. A nicer car. A slightly bigger house. An extra streaming service. More takeout.

Suddenly, the extra income you worked so hard for evaporates.

So if you find yourself moving into a higher income bracket, treat that bump like an opportunity, not an excuse to expand your lifestyle. Direct those new dollars toward the things that build stability: savings, debt payoff, investing, and long-term goals.

More income is great. Keeping more of it is even better. 💰

TOGETHER WITH BACKBONE*

The People-First Banking Choice 👫

Credit unions might be the best-kept secret in personal finance. Here's why:

They're member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives that reinvest in local communities instead of shareholders. That means you can align your money with your values and come out ahead financially without trade-offs.

Credit unions keep branches open in small towns, fund local businesses, help first-time homebuyers, and show up when times get tough. It’s the human side of finance: people-first, stress-free, and grounded in real support.

Choosing a credit union means your dollars support local families, not Wall Street. It's one of the simplest ways to spend responsibly while actually building wealth.

The Backbone Coalition connects credit unions nationwide to shine a light on how they’re fueling connection, growth, and stability in communities because it’s time this secret got out. 

Ready to make your money matter? Learn more about credit unions at backbone.us.

CAR MARKET

EV, Hybrid, or Gas? 🚗

When you’re in the market for a new car, the sticker price usually gets all the attention. But the upfront cost of a car is only one slice of what you’ll actually spend. When you zoom out and look at total cost of ownership: fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation, the winner isn’t always the one on the lot with the lowest price tag.

Here’s how the three major powertrains stack up when you run the full numbers:

Electric Vehicles 🔌

EVs usually cost the most upfront (those batteries aren’t cheap), and losing the $7,500 federal tax credit definitely stings. But the ongoing savings can pile up quickly.

• Fuel: Charging at home is almost always cheaper than filling a gas tank.

• Maintenance: No oil changes and far fewer moving parts.

• Long-term savings: Over 10–15 years, EVs often end up costing thousands less because charging is cheaper and maintenance costs are so low.

Downside? Range anxiety, for sure. Insurance tends to be pricier, and depreciation can hit harder because tech advances quickly (think “old iPhone effect”). Also, charging away from home can cost more than gas!

Hybrids ⚡️

Hybrids sit right in the sweet spot for a lot of drivers. This is why Toyota, the king of hybrids, is doing so well right now.

• Upfront cost: A bit more than a gas car, but not EV-level pricey.

• Fuel: Excellent fuel economy means noticeably lower gas costs.

• Maintenance: Traditional hybrids need similar maintenance to gas cars, just a bit less often.

Downside? Plug-in hybrids can be costly to maintain because they’re basically two systems in one. But standard hybrids are a reliable, cost-friendly compromise.

Gas Cars ⛽️

Gas-powered cars still win on sticker price. Manufacturers have been making them forever, so they’re the easiest and cheapest to build.

But over time…

• Fuel: Gas is significantly more expensive per mile than electricity.

• Maintenance: Lots of moving parts = lots of things that need service.

• Insurance: Usually the cheapest of the three.

Gas cars often cost more over 10–15 years, even though they’re the cheapest to drive off the lot.

So Which One Actually Saves You the Most?

When you add up 15 years of real ownership costs, EVs still tend to come out on top, even without the federal tax credit. Hybrids come in second place, especially if you’re not ready to commit to charging at home. Gas cars remain the most affordable to buy today, but usually the most expensive to keep over time.

The right pick depends on how much you drive, how long you keep your cars, and whether home charging is realistic for you.

SAVINGS AND INVESTING

Are Americans Ready for Retirement? 🏖️

According to new research from Vanguard, only 42% of Americans are on track to do just that. The other 58% will likely need to cut spending in retirement in order to make ends meet. A better move would be to cut spending now, even just a little bit, to invest more for the future.

Here’s what’s driving the gap:

Workplace plans matter. 📊 
If you have access to a 401(k), you’re almost twice as likely to be on track for retirement. If everyone had access, readiness would jump to 61%.

Younger workers are doing better. 👦 
Auto-enrollment and stronger participation mean Millennials and Gen Z are slightly more on track than Gen X and Boomers (despite all the doom-and-gloom headlines).

Debt is dragging Millennials down. 📉
The average Millennial carries about $12K in non-mortgage debt — double what Boomers had at the same age. That alone knocks nearly 1 in 10 off track.

The numbers aren’t great, but they’re not hopeless either.

The most important thing is to set up your own system: an IRA, a brokerage account, or an automatic paycheck deduction into a retirement account. Research shows people are 15× more likely to save when contributions are made automatically.

Start early, stay consistent, even if the contribution is small.

Time does the heavy lifting. 🏋

ICYMI

Your Weekly Update…

Max Your Benefits, Max Your Savings 🩺
Open enrollment isn’t just an HR formality; it’s your chance to save big. From HSAs to retirement matches, the right choices could lower your taxes by thousands. Don’t leave money on the table — learn how to make your benefits work for you.

Did Someone Say Discount? 🧑‍💻 
Tired of wasting time searching for promo codes that don’t work? Just paste the product link and let this tool find and test the best deals for you.

Robotaxis Hit the Freeway 🤖
Driverless robotaxis can now hit the freeway at posted speeds in select cities, offering faster rides and airport trips in San Jose. The self-driving revolution is picking up speed… literally.

Remember: A little planning goes a long way. Start small, win big! 🙌