Good Morning, HTM peeps!

Hopefully you haven’t given up on your New Year’s Resolutions quite yet… but if you’re struggling with motivation, you’re not alone.

Starting (or stopping) a habit cold turkey can often doom you to failure. Today, we want to remind you to give yourself a little grace.

Maybe you wanted to read a book a week but can’t seem to find the time… 10 pages before bed is still better than 0. 📕

If you made some lofty goals, there’s no shame in adjusting them! Find a balance that fits your lifestyle—you may find it a lot easier to implement new changes when you’re not putting so much pressure on yourself.

RETIREMENT

A 1% Money Move 📈

New year, new goals… but let’s skip the extreme resolutions. One of the easiest money moves you can make right now? Bumping your retirement contribution by just 1%.

While the difference to your paycheck is minimal, the difference that 1% can make to your retirement account over time is extreme.

That extra 1% grows tax-advantaged and compounds (aka: your money starts earning money, which then earns more money… you get the point). A small increase today can snowball into a much larger balance down the road, without really changing your take-home pay meaningfully.

Even if you’re nearing retirement age, an additional 1% contribution now can mean tens of thousands of dollars that you’ll have access to during retirement. See below for some examples.

The 401(k) limits for 2026 are as follows:

• Under age 50: The maximum employee contribution is $24,500

• Age 50 and over: You can contribute $8,000 more, for a total of $32,500

If you’re not maxing it out yet (which most people aren’t), there’s room to nudge that percentage up.

No 401(k)? No problem.

You’ve still got options:

• IRAs (Traditional or Roth) allow you to save for retirement, even if you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored plan.

• 403(b) plans are common for nonprofit, education, and public-sector workers.

• Solo 401(k)s may be an option if you’re self-employed or freelancing.

Think of it this way: you probably won’t even notice 1% missing from each paycheck, but your retirement account will definitely notice the boost. And if you happen to get a raise this year? That’s the perfect opportunity to increase your contribution even more, so “future you” can reap the benefits.

It’s never too late to start saving for retirement. Better late than never! ⏰

DEBT

Debt Relief or Debt Trap? 😓

If you’ve ever seen an ad promising a secret way to wipe out your debt (“banks hate this,” “celebrities endorse it,” or “settle your debt for pennies”), you’re not imagining things. There’s a multi‑billion‑dollar debt settlement industry built almost entirely on ads like these, and most people have no idea how it actually works.

At its core, debt settlement isn’t illegal or fake. It’s a negotiation where creditors agree to accept less than what you owe. The problem? Many companies sell it as a painless shortcut, without clearly explaining the significant risks.

These programs often require you to stop paying your credit cards entirely, which can tank your credit, rack up fees and interest, and even lead to lawsuits.

Even more troubling: many people don’t seek out debt settlement. They think they’re applying for a consolidation loan, only to be steered into a settlement program instead. You can get a better understanding by watching this viral Coffeezilla video in which ex-employees of a settlement company were interviewed. Their take is that this bait‑and‑switch is incredibly common.

If you’re in debt, there’s no magic genie, rapid method, or government‑backed secret the banks don’t want you to know. Quick fixes sound great, but they’re often too good to be true. When it comes to debt, the fine print matters. And who you enlist to help you in the payoff process is crucial.

How to Spot a Sketchy Debt Ad:

• Promises you can pay pennies on the dollar: realistic savings are usually far lower.

• Claims banks or the government are hiding secrets: if it sounds like a conspiracy, it probably is.

• Bait-and-switch tactics: you apply for a loan, but get sold a settlement program instead.

• Pressure to act immediately: high-pressure sales tactics are a red flag.

• No clear explanation of risks: legitimate programs will always outline potential fees, credit impact, and lawsuits.

Paying off your debt is an important step to gaining financial stability and freedom. If this is something you’re aiming to do, here’s how we would get started.

And if you’re in over your head, look to a non-profit service (like Money Management International) to help you establish a debt management plan.

TOGETHER WITH CIT BANK*

New Year, Smarter Savings 💰

Tired of your big bank’s low rates? Ditch them in 2026! 👋

With CIT Bank, your money actually works for you. Their Platinum Savings Account offers 3.75% APY on balances over $5,000, making it the perfect place to park your emergency fund or other short-term savings buckets.

Let 2026 be the year you finally take control of your money and watch your savings grow. Switching banks is easy, and doing so now can mean hundreds or thousands of extra dollars earned in interest!

Make the move today and start earning what you deserve. 🏦

REAL ESTATE

Are Starter Homes Becoming Extinct? 🦖

Remember the classic “starter home”? Small, affordable, maybe a little fixer-upper, meant to get first-time buyers into the housing market before upgrading later.

Well, those days are starting to feel more like myth than reality. Today’s new homes are bigger, pricier, and packed with upgrades. In fact, nearly half of new homes built in 2022 had four or more bedrooms, compared with just one in five in the 1970s.

So why aren’t builders making tiny, affordable homes? A mix of rising land costs, local zoning rules, and simple math. Bigger homes mean bigger margins, and buyers are increasingly expecting modern conveniences that small homes tend to lack.

Even families earning decent salaries can struggle to find entry-level homes in desirable areas, leaving first-time buyers competing with investors and other cash-ready buyers. For many buyers, what was once a “starter home” may now end up being a forever home—just smaller, simpler, and custom-built to fit both their budget and their dreams.

For those trying to get into homeownership, this means being flexible, creative, and ready to explore alternatives (like smaller lots, fixer-uppers, or less traditional properties) to find a place to call your own. Many are even considering less expensive parts of the country (like the Midwest) to realize the home ownership dream. 🏠

ECONOMY

Minimum Wage on the Rise 🤑

The new year came with a raise for millions of workers! As of January 1st, 19 states increased their minimum wage, affecting over 8 million workers.

The biggest earner? Washington, D.C., now leads the country at $17.95/hour. Other notable increases include New York City at $17, Washington at $17.13, and Hawaii at $16.

Not every state joined the party, though. Twenty states still stick to the federal minimum wage of $7.25, and a handful don’t have a statewide minimum at all.

What does this mean for workers and job seekers? A higher minimum wage can boost take-home pay and make everyday expenses easier to manage, but it also reinforces the importance of knowing your state’s rates and planning accordingly.

For anyone starting a new job or looking to move, it’s worth checking out which states are paying the most (and how that lines up with the cost of living in your area). You can check your state’s minimum wage here.

ICYMI!

Your Weekly Update…

Free $300 Offer Ending Soon 💳
One of our favorite no-annual-fee credit cards is currently offering a $300 sign-up bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months. It’s the best offer ever, and it ends soon. *HTM receives a commission if you sign up for a credit card via this link

New Year, Same Stuff ⚙️
Tim Harford argues that brushing up on what you already have—your body, mind, and stuff—might be the smartest resolution yet. This year, it’s less about upgrading and more about keeping your life running smoothly via routine maintenance.

New Year, New Apps 📱
Tired of the same old feeds? Sydney Bradley, a tech reporter, tried dozens of apps and highlighted a few worth your time: Retro for private photo sharing, PI.FYI for culture finds, Airbuds for music, and a Pinterest comeback for inspiration.

Burritos, Bowls… and Protein Cups? 🍗
Chipotle is leaning into the protein craze with its first-ever High Protein Menu, featuring grab-and-go cups…which is exactly what it sounds like—meat in a cup.

Now’s the perfect time to go make that 1% contribution change. You didn’t forget about it by the end of this newsletter, right? 😉

Best friends out! 🍻