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Hi, I'm Jim Wang and I share my strategies and tactics for managing your money and enjoying more out of life.

πŸ—ΊοΈ travel is fun but chaotic

Published about 2 months agoΒ β€’Β 2 min read

Good morning Reader!

The news out of Mexico is scary and goes to show that things like that can happen out of seemingly nowhere. Granted, I don't follow the news in the region, certainly not cartel related, but it went from zero to 10 in an instant.

I felt the same when we were flying back from the Dominican Republic over New Years. One day we're celebrating 2026, the next day we're watching the United States go insto Venezuela and seize Maduro.

Flights out of Puerto Rico were stopped. We thought we'd be stranded too but, very very fortunately, flights out of the DR were unaffected.

If you travel internationally, make sure you register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so you get notifications from the State Department whenever things like this happen.

​I do this and two other things every time we travel.​

πŸ’² Best Bank Rates (as of 2/24/2026):

​(View this email as a webpage)​

πŸ“± What is your favorite budgeting app?

Our post on the best budgeting apps is in need of an update. If you use a budgeting app, which one do you like the most?

It's ok if you have to pay for it (the better ones nowadays have a modest fee each year) but I want to make sure I know about all the ones used by real people... not just promoted by good marketers. πŸ™‚

β€‹πŸ‘‰ This is our list right now​

⚑Electricity prices are crazy!

If you think your electric bill has gone up, you're right. And if you think it's because of AI and data centers, you are also right.

It's gotten the attention of lawmakers but legislation takes time... if you need help with bills, you can go to LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance program) to learn about programs in your area.

Or, search for your state or town and "electricity assistance program." (or something similar)

β€‹πŸ‘‰ Go to LIHEAP Assistance Directory​

🏒 Are companies hiring boomers anymore?

Our managing editor Ashley looked at the data and the research and put together this slideshow - do you agree or disagree?

β€‹πŸ‘‰ Why no one is hiring boomers anymore (the harsh truth they won’t say out loud)​

What did you think of today's email?​
βœ… I Loved It! 🟨 It Was Okay ❌ Not My Favorite​

Talk to you soon!

Jim

PS. According to Bankrate, 47% of Americans cannot cover a $1,000 emergency expense. If you want to build an emergency fund, click here for my free email course.

​(see archive of previous emails)​

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Hi, I'm Jim Wang and I share my strategies and tactics for managing your money and enjoying more out of life.

πŸ’΅ Founder of WalletHacks.com

I have been writing about money for nearly 20 years and believe that personal finance is one of those subjects that is made complicated because it benefits a select few. Our aim is to help make it easier to understand so that regular folks can use what we teach to take control of their money and build wealth.

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