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My Two Cents

Personal-finance columnist Charlotte Cowles asks the nosy, revealing, sometimes uncomfortable questions about money so you don’t have to. In addition to “My Two Cents,” Cowles writes about work and parenting for the site. Previously, she was a senior features editor at Harper’s Bazaar, a senior editor at the Cut, and the editorial director for MM.LaFleur. Her work has also been published in Glamour, Art in America, Politico, and other venues.

personal finance

‘Should I Make Big Purchases Now?’

 How to prepare for the second Trump economy. By Charlotte Cowles

More From ‘My Two Cents’

  1. ‘The Wedding Expenses I Don’t Regret Spending Money On’How to get your money’s worth — and then some — when planning the big day.
  2. Are You Stress-Saving?The impulse to hunker down financially in times of uncertainty.
  3. How 4 People Are Spending Their Juul Settlement MoneyIncluding one who’s never purchased any Juul products.
  4. ‘How Do I Reverse Lifestyle Creep?’Getting used to spending less is hard. But you’ll be happier for it.
  5. What It’s Like to Work on a MegayachtA former stewardess on life onboard with the ultrawealthy.
  6. 3 Women on the Cost of an Expensive Breakup“I took inventory of everything that I owned and how much I could sell it for — my car, my Apple watch, my iPhone.”
  7. What Wedding Planners Wish You Didn’t Spend Money OnIndustry veterans share the biggest money sinkholes and how to avoid them.
  8. ‘I Just Want a Dumb Job’What it’s like to achieve your dream career — and then throw it away for a corporate gig that makes you much happier.
  9. What If You Never Had to Think About Saving Money Again?By investing early, some 20-somethings are rejecting the traditional path to financial security.
  10. What’s Your ‘Money Script’?To break bad money habits, it helps to know where they come from.
  11. How Do I Know If I’m Financially Prepared to Have a Baby?It’s normal to be anxious about having kids. Here’s how to make a plan.
  12. How to Shop Less, According to People Who Love to ShopCommon budgeting advice is to stop buying clothes. But what if you don’t want to?
  13. How Much Does It Actually Cost to Give Birth?And how to navigate the flurry of hospital bills.
  14. What It’s Like Being a Billionaire’s Personal Assistant“They’ll ask you to do something profoundly ridiculous and you can’t tell them how dumb the idea is.”
  15. Are You Ready For a ‘Mini-Retirement’?Meet the 20-somethings trying to save up enough money to quit their jobs and travel the world.
  16. Surge Pricing Isn’t Just for Uber AnymoreCompanies are tailoring more prices based on demand — and your personal data. What can you do about it?
  17. How a Pharmacist Saved $1 Million by Age 36Regina Moore on the careful planning required to become “work optional.”
  18. ‘Do I Need to Buy a Home Before the Baby Comes?’Maybe consider renting instead.
  19. How Much Can I Really Ask My Wedding Guests To Pay?An etiquette guide on everything from big bachelorette trips to destination weddings.
  20. It’s Not Too Late to Book an Affordable Summer VacationHow to plan a getaway that feels luxurious — without an Italy-size price tag.
  21. ‘What I Did With My Personal-Injury Settlement’Three people on how the money affected their lives.
  22. How to Save Money on Summer TravelIt’s expensive out there! But you can still take a trip without paying for it all year.
  23. What It’s Like to Not Buy New Clothes for 7 YearsThree women who have done long-term shopping bans share their advice.
  24. Now Prices Are Going … Down?Retailers including Walgreens and Target are finally cutting prices. But why now?
  25. The Hack for Saving Money That Doesn’t SuckWhat’s on your “approved shopping list” this summer?
  26. Do You Shop More When You’re Stressed?You’re doom spending. Here’s how to stop.
  27. The Bridesmaids Going Into Debt for Their Friends’ Weddings“She just booked it and sent everyone Venmo requests for $1,000.”
  28. ‘How Can I Be Financially Secure As a Freelancer?’You need a plan and some patience.
  29. When You’re Laid Off But Still Have to Go to WorkThree women on continuing to do their jobs even after they lost them.
  30. What It’s Like to Plan Vacations for BillionairesA travel agent for the ultrawealthy on hacking restaurant reservations, getting last-minute tickets, and why yachts are the new hotels.
  31. When Is a Side Hustle Actually Worth It?Tips for finding an online side gig that makes money without taking over your life.
  32. ‘My Friend Is in Financial Trouble. How Should I Help Her?’Just because your friend needs money doesn’t mean she wants it from you.
  33. ‘How I Paid Off $36,000 in Credit Card Debt’Brittney Reynolds built a TikTok following around one of the hardest years of her life.
  34. It’s Time to Try a New Budgeting AppHere are five to consider after the most popular one, Mint, shuts down next week.
  35. How to Cope When You Get Laid Off From Your Dream JobHaley Sacks, a.k.a. Mrs. Dow Jones, on surviving job loss and founding her own business.
  36. What It’s Like to Staff the Home of a BillionaireA recruiter for the ultrarich on the upsides — and dark sides — of a notoriously secretive industry.
  37. How to Protect Yourself Against ScamsWhat I wish I’d known.
  38. Budgeting Is Officially a FlexAccording to TikTok, where “loud budgeting” is everywhere.
  39. What It’s Like to Be a Therapist for the UltrarichClay Cockrell specializes in “ultra-high-net-worth individuals” and the specific problems that plague them.
  40. How’s Your No-Spend January Going?“I felt like I failed, and it was catastrophic.”
  41. What It’s Like to Take a $50K Pay Cut“Part of me is still mourning the life that I thought I was going to live.”
  42. How to Talk About Your Salary With FriendsIt can be awkward, but it doesn’t need to be.
  43. What to Say to Get Your Bills LoweredAnd when it’s worth your time to try.
  44. 5 Ways to Save Money (That Have Nothing to Do With Money)Financial experts share their best nonfinancial advice.
  45. What to Do About That Credit-Card DebtA four-step plan for getting over your holiday-debt hangover.
  46. ‘I Take Care of My Aging Parents. How Can I Recover Financially?’Thankfully, there are some laws designed to help you. Here’s how to make the most of them.
  47. ‘Should I Give Up My Cheap, Beautiful Apartment to Move in With My Boyfriend?’You will need to move out of your amazing place eventually. Here are the steps to take first.
  48. How to Tell People You Don’t Want GiftsA guide to de-escalating the holiday-shopping frenzy.
  49. ‘How Do I Shut Down My Dad’s Comments About Money?’It may sound counterintuitive, but you might want to give him the opportunity to say more.
  50. ‘I Owe $90K in Private Student Loans. What Do I Do?’You don’t have much wiggle room, unfortunately. It’s time to break down the math.
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