March home sales data just came out. TL;DR: 1.33 million new listings hit the market, while existing home sales dropped to their lowest since March 2009. Blame high mortgage rates, which came down a smidge to 6.8% –– and, of course, tariffs –– for this meh start to the spring season.
If you're house-hunting through it, read these before you tour another beige split-level...
🏃 There’s a silver lining for buyers: Less competition from other home hunters.
💵 It's actually a good time to buy...for some people.
🚚 Considering joining Team Renting Forever? You’re in good company. Even millionaires are going month to month.
Your Future Called. It’s Hopeful. (Really.)
Last week, we went over your options if the worst-case scenario happens (like a job loss or a surprise medical bill), and you need to access a lot of cash quickly.
This week, we’re going from damage control to daydreaming.
Meet: The humble compound interest calculator. It shows how much your money could grow over time when you reinvest the interest you earn — so your money earns money, and that money earns money, etc.
After wrangling my old 401(k) and checking on my daughter’s 529, I ended up deep in a compound interest calculator, mapping out 10, 20, and 40 years ahead. Not to be dramatic, but math is therapy?
Consider this your invitation to take a step back and play with the big picture. Let’s say you invest $10 a week into a high-yield savings account with a 3.5% interest rate. In 30 years, you’ll have over $25,000. Not because you timed the market perfectly. But because you gave time… time.
— “Manifesting My Best Coastal Grandma Life,” Anna Davies, Writer
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Mover over TJ’s, there’s a new cult discount grocery store in town.
Not to be dramatic, but the class of 2025 is in for the rudest of awakenings when it comes to workplace expectations.
Do you say “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT so you’re on the Nice List when the tech apocalypse happens? You might be on Sam Altman's s**t list.
Sure, you can find the free samples blindfolded, but are you really a Costco shopper if you're not paying off your membership with savings on these 12 items?
The Trump administration is about to start collecting on defaulted student loans for the first time since 2020. Here’s what happens to borrowers that don't pay up.
On that note… Is an MBA even worth it anymore?
"Sell America"
For decades, US assets like Treasury bonds and the dollar were the go-to safe havens when markets got shaky –– the financial world’s equivalent of a weighted blanket. Lately, the bond market isn’t feeling cozy.
Investors, spooked by the will-he-won't-he surrounding President Trump’s tariffs, are dumping not just stocks, but also longtime safe assets like US bonds and the dollar. Higher bond yields raise borrowing costs for the rest of us.
This so-called “sell America” trade is a signal that, at least for now, global investors no longer see the US as a reliable bet.
And things could get worse. China is warning countries not to cut trade deals with the US “at the expense of China’s interests” –– putting basically every other country in a lose-lose position.
"Troy ounce"
The unit of measurement used to weigh gold and other metals. It's about 10% heavier than a regular ounce.
Thanks to stock market volatility, the price of gold is way up –– and we’re hearing “troy ounce” thrown around like anyone knew what it meant two weeks ago. But that doesn’t mean people are throwing gold bars in their carts; many investors use ETFs to invest directly in gold.
It’s Not Your Resume, It’s Your Story
Your resume gets you in the room. Once you’re there, have 3–4 quick anecdotes ready to show how you actually work –– how you solve problems, collaborate across teams, and get creative under pressure.
This is what career pros call your “story library.” Keep them about a minute long with room for the interviewer to ask questions. Stories should tie back to whatever they’re looking for: Leadership, cross-departmental partnership, creative thought process.
All month, we’ve been giving you the tools and advice you need to go for The Big Job (yes, even in this economy). Don’t Wait, here.
PS: Taking a beat from full-time work? Whether you're freelancing, gigging, or on a career pause, our Skimm+ script can help you answer the “So, what do you do?” question — without fumbling or overselling.
Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.
Right now, Knix is taking 30% off their entire leakproof line. That includes swimsuits (so you don't have to stress about a visible tampon string at the pool), and the comfiest period underwear ever.
Until Wednesday, Wayfair is offering up to 80% off furniture, decor, and more. We're getting this antique-inspired table lamp that's been all over our Pinterest lately.
If you thought those were the only sales we'd share with you today, we fear you don't know us very well. Here are more deals worth shopping right now.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
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