Good morning, HTM fam!

For those of you who are off for the holidays, we have the perfect way for you to spend your day… It’s National Christmas Movie Marathon Day! 🎄🍿

We won’t start the discourse on which Christmas movie is the GOAT, but we certainly hope you have some time this week to watch a few of your favorites with your fave people and bask in the holiday spirit!.

BUSINESS

Time to Play Musical Desks? 🪑

If your boss wants everyone back in the office full-time, there’s one small problem: there may not be enough space for everyone. Across the country, big companies are rolling out return-to-office mandates only to realize they downsized too much during the remote-work years. 

The result? Employees are competing for desks, working from hallways or cafeterias, and spending more time hunting for a seat than working.

In some cases, it’s poor planning. In others, it may be intentional. Business leaders say desk shortages can function as a “soft layoff,” where companies quietly expect some employees to quit rather than come back.

And even as offices expand again, many employers are moving toward shared desks instead of assigned seating. Whether this leads to better collaboration (or just sad desk lunches in awkward places) depends on how thoughtfully companies handle it.

If you’ve been asked to return to the office, remember, WFH is negotiable. Maybe you can settle for a hybrid schedule, or prepare a list of reasons why you’re actually more productive at home. If you’re put in this position, be ready to plead your case clearly.

LIFESTYLE

Looking to Score Tickets? ⚽️

We get it. The World Cup is bucket-list material. Flags worn as capes, faces (or bodies) painted, screaming of both joy and frustration with strangers who instantly become friends.

But when 2026 World Cup ticket prices dropped, a lot of fans had the same reaction: Wait… how much?! 

Almost all the seats were priced in the hundreds, and many in the thousands, and resale tickets climbed even higher. After major backlash, FIFA walked things back a bit and announced a small batch of $60 tickets. Emphasis on small.

Here’s the thing: as amazing as seeing a match in person would be, it’s not worth putting your finances in the red. The good news? You don’t need a stadium seat to feel the energy. Some great options for viewing include:

• 🍻 Watch games at local bars that support your team. Even if you’re a fan of a smaller country, look up some Facebook groups to find your tribe! You’d be surprised how many fans may live near you.

• 📺 Host a watch party at your place. As long as your friends and family aren’t supporting the opposing team, everyone should walk out in one piece.

• 📽️ Look for public viewings. This may be harder if you’re supporting another country, but many bars play Team USA games on large projectors in public areas. Being in a large crowd can make the hype palpable!

If attending a game at the stadium is something you want to splurge on, make sure to sign up for the FIFA ticket draft. Not only does this allow you to buy tickets at face value (if you’re selected), but you will know exactly how much you’re spending, when the charge will hit, and you can budget accordingly.

TOGETHER WITH BACKBONE*

Get Through the Holidays with Backbone 🎁

Holiday spending has a way of sneaking up on you, one gift here, one grocery run there, and suddenly December feels expensive. Credit unions are stepping in to help people keep budgets manageable and start 2026 on the right foot.

As member-owned, not-for-profit cooperatives, credit unions put people first in ways you can actually feel. That means lower-rate loans to help avoid high-cost debt, skip-a-payment options when expenses pile up, and simple tools like 52-week savings challenges that make building an emergency cushion doable. Many also offer flexible buy-now-pay-later options designed to help, not trap you in fees.

Whether you’re getting through the holidays or planning ahead for the new year, credit unions make it easier to take the next step with confidence.

It’s personal finance that feels human: steady, supportive, and grounded in your community.

The Backbone Coalition connects credit unions nationwide to elevate how they’re helping families stay steady through the holidays and beyond.

Ready to make your money work for you in the new year? Learn more at backbone.us

ECONOMY

The Quiet Cost of Credit Cards 💳

Credit card swipe fees are at an all-time high, and they’re quietly making everyday spending more expensive.

Every time you swipe or tap a credit card, businesses pay a processing fee, and those fees are higher than ever. On average, Visa and Mastercard now charge merchants about 2.35% per transaction, and those costs get passed on to customers.

Many businesses are using a visible “credit card surcharge” or “service fees.” Others are opting for quiet price increases you might not even notice at the register. This is exactly how cost creep happens — a few extra dollars here and there that add up over time.

So, should you just stop using a credit card and stick to a debit card or even cold, hard cash? Well, not necessarily. Only if the penalty for using your credit card outweighs the benefit is that the smart move.

But it is important to ensure that any credit cards you have are working for you, and not against you, especially if you pay an annual fee. Some things to reflect on:

• Are the rewards, cash back, or travel perks beating the annual fee you pay?

• Are you using those benefits regularly, or just planning on getting around to it?

A credit card can be a great tool! But if an increase in fees is quietly outweighing the perks, it might be time to rethink which card is in your wallet. 🤔

LIFESTYLE

Extra Toppings? In this Economy?! 🍕

Pizza has always been a go-to “cheap and easy” dinner. Feed a family, grab some leftovers, call it a win.

But lately? Even pizza orders are getting smaller.

Across the country, people are ordering fewer toppings, fewer sides, and smaller pies. Owners say customers who used to add extras, like garlic knots and drinks, are now sticking to just the pizza… and it’s not hard to see why. The average price of a large cheese pizza is now nearly $17!

This isn’t just about pizza. It’s a sign of how many households are tightening their budgets. It’s a small change, skipping the extra toppings, but it’s a reminder that when prices rise, even comfort food isn’t immune from a pullback.

Restaurants are responding with more deals and discounts, while customers are being more intentional with their spending. And for many families, those little cutbacks are adding up to a bigger picture of being more careful with where every dollar goes.

If you miss having pizza as a go-to, make sure to keep an eye on the chains that are offering deals to make up for the lack of orders.

Or you can always take a shot at making your next pizza at home. We like to buy pre-made pizza dough, shredded cheese, and a few toppings, and create our pizzas together as a family. It’s an art project and dinner at the same time!

ICYMI

Your Weekly Update…

Pennies Worth Millions?!💰
The final pennies ever minted were just auctioned off for $16.7 million, with collectors paying top dollar to own a literal piece of U.S. history. Turns out the coin that wasn’t worth making anymore was still worth a whole lot to the right buyers.

Create Your Own Disneyverse 🐭
Disney is partnering with OpenAI to let fans create short videos and images with 200+ Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters on Sora, OpenAI’s AI video platform. Some of these creations will even stream on Disney+!

Hiring Hits a Snooze Button 😴
Unemployment rises to 4.6%, the highest level since the pandemic, signaling a growing strain on households and the economy. If you are looking for a new job, here are some tips for getting noticed on LinkedIn.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!