I value these 12 "real" luxuries of life
Don't miss the 5 Most Popular Money Girl Topics of 2024!
Featured Artist: Egle Plytnikaite
Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
💭 My Thoughts: 12 real luxuries in life
✅ Things To Do: Review the 5 most popular podcasts
🗞 In the News: Stay up to date on personal finance news
😎 What I’m Enjoying: TV series and clean fragrances
🎙 Recent podcasts: Dig into 888+ episodes in the Money Girl archive
🤣 Favorite GIF: Reply with your favorite GIF, and it might get featured!
Hi, Friend -
As we slide into the last full week of 2024, I want to thank you for subscribing to The Money Stack!
I started this newsletter a little over a year ago and love sharing thoughts, work, and invitations to join live educational events. I’m excited about continuing the journey with you in 2025! 🥳
I received this list of Real Luxuries from a friend in a text group, and it resonates with me. I’m still working on No. 6, Rest without guilt, but I will try my best through the New Year.
I love that none are about luxurious “things” but states of mind, health, and connections. While money can improve health, free up your time, and reduce stress, most of these luxuries can be cultivated whether you have a little or a lot of it.
🤔 This is an excellent time of year to reflect on how you want to feel and make goals/plans/resolutions to get closer to your unique ideals or luxuries in 2025!
🪅 I hope you have a joyous holiday and New Year! 🥂
🎤 If you want to catch up on podcasts over the holiday, my most recent episode is 5 Most Popular Money Girl Topics of 2024.
You’ll hear me summarize the following top five most downloaded episodes of the year:
1. Rules for Using a Health Savings Account (HSA) as a Couple (#807)
2. Pros and Cons of Investing in a 401(k) Retirement Plan (#808)
3. 10 Rules for Successful Investing You Should Know (#820)
4. 7 Strategies to Pay Off Credit Card Debt (#816)
5. 4 Strategies to Earn More Interest on Savings (#821)
🎙 Get all the details by listening to the podcast or 📖 reading the transcript!
🗞 Interest rates were cut on Wednesday by 0.25% for the third time in 2024.
➡️ TAKEAWAY: This was an expected, cautious approach by the Fed Chair, who indicated that we’re still in an uncertain economy where inflation could be higher next year.
🗞 Mortgage rates increased, with the 30-year loan just over 7%, despite the Fed’s rate cut.
➡️ TAKEAWAY: Since buying activity is rising, Americans are getting used to higher home prices and interest rates, ranging from 6% to 7% over the past year.
🗞 Inflation is almost moving sideways, with PCE (personal consumption expenditures) rising 0.1% in November and 2.4% annually. Even housing showed signs of cooling, rising just 0.2% last month.
➡️ TAKEAWAY: While core inflation numbers show small price increases, they’re still above the Fed’s 2% target; therefore, more cuts are likely in 2025.
🎬 Silo is an Apple TV+ science fiction series in its second season, based on the Silo trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey. The story is about a dystopian future where a community lives in a huge underground silo with 144 levels. The cast is impressive, and Rebecca Ferguson, who leads as an engineer and sheriff, is incredible. I love the show’s set, which pulls you into this terrific drama, and I’m excited that more seasons are coming!
🎥 Bad Sisters is an award-winning Apple TV+ series in its second season. It’s an Irish black comedy about five tight-knit Garvey sisters who live in Dublin. After the death of one’s controlling husband, they get investigated by a determined life insurance agent trying to prove they were involved.
👃🏼 Henry Rose is a line of clean, fine fragrances founded by actress Michelle Pfeiffer, who says, “You shouldn't have to sacrifice quality for safety." She launched the line in 2019 as the first EWG Verified™ (Environmental Working Group) fragrance with 100% ingredient transparency. The incredible scents are for perfume, body, and home products—my favorites are Jake’s House and Dark Is Night.
🎧 888: 5 Most Popular Money Girl Topics of 2024
🎧 887: This New Rule Makes Tapping Retirement Savings Easier
🎧 886: 5 Money-Saving Tax Changes for 2025
🎧 885: 4 Ways to Give a Young Child a Wealthy Future
🎧 884: Creating a Disaster-Proof Financial Life
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