This Week’s Money Map:

• 🦃 Thanksgiving Special: Gobble up these financial lessons from turkey farmers

• 😎 Gen Z math: Money moves that will have older generations saying, “Slay!”

• 🤕 Clock’s Ticking: When’s the right time for life insurance?

• 💵 Living paycheck to paycheck? Here’s how to break the cycle

• 💳 Score big cash back: Say goodbye to FOMOOCB!

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🦃 Thanksgiving Special: Gobble up these financial lessons from turkey farmers

Turkey farmers may not be the first place you’d think to look for financial advice. But those folks have a year-round game plan for the big Thanksgiving feast, and their strategy might be the financial wisdom you didn’t know you needed. 

Plan for the Big Moments
Turkey farmers don’t wake up in November and think, “Oh, let’s get these turkeys ready!” They budget early, track costs, and adjust yearly. Your big moments — like buying a home or planning a wedding — need that same early hustle. Start stashing cash now, even if your goal feels far off. For some easy tips to jumpstart, check out MoneyGeek’s guide to budgeting.

Prepare for Life’s Surprises
From unexpected turkey ailments to price hikes on feed, farmers know that life doesn’t always go according to plan — that’s where an emergency fund comes in. Think of it as your own “turkey fund” to handle the unexpected, whether it’s a surprise car repair or a trip to the dentist. MoneyGeek's guide to personal finance shows you how to start building this crucial cushion.

So, take a page from the turkey farmer’s playbook: plan ahead, prepare for surprises, and budget smartly. Curious how Thanksgiving costs vary in your area? Check out MoneyGeek’s analysis of Thanksgiving expenses by metro.

😎 Gen Z math: Money moves that will have older generations saying, “Slay!”

All right, fam, let’s break it down — Gen Z math isn’t your typical calculator math. This generation knows how to make money moves that hit different, blending practicality with some serious Gen Z game plans. 

Investing in the Vibe
Forget stockpiling for status; Gen Z knows it’s all about living the vibe. They’ll drop $100 on boujee coffee gear to whip up those “at-home iced lattes” instead of spending $6 a day at the cafe. It’s not just spending — it’s “investing” in a vibe that saves cash.

Secondhand Drip — Major “Main Character Energy”
Gen Z isn’t about that retail life. Thrift stores and Depop are their go-to's for unique fits that scream “sustainable queen/king.” Why pay $80 for a shirt when you can find something cooler for $12? It's giving style and environmental awareness.

Streaming Hacks — The Sub Share Squad
Why pay full price when you can squad up? Gen Z splits Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ with friends or family to keep costs low. Paying $5 each instead of $15 solo? That’s big brain energy.

Living With the Squad — Cost-Saving the Big Stuff
Moving out solo? Not for Gen Z. They’ll split rent with the squad or stick with family longer, stacking up extra cash for travel or investing.

Gen Z math is all about living smarter and having fun. Ready to level up? Check out MoneyGeek’s financial literacy handbook for more fire tips.

🤕 Clock’s Ticking: When’s the right time for life insurance?

Life has a way of sneaking up on us. One day, you’re planning your next vacation, and the next, you’re thinking about “what if?” When it comes to life insurance, the best time to get it isn’t someday — it’s today. Here’s why.

Younger = Cheaper
Life insurance premiums are primarily based on age and health. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums. For example, a 30-year-old nonsmoker could pay around $250 annually for a 20-year, $500,000 term policy, while a 50-year-old might pay over $1,000 for the same coverage. Procrastination costs you. Check out MoneyGeek’s guide to life insurance to see what might work for you.

Key Life Milestones
Thinking about starting a family? Buying a home? These are the perfect moments to get life insurance. It’s not just about replacing income — it’s about ensuring your loved ones can cover mortgages, child care, or college tuition without financial stress. Plus, it provides peace of mind knowing they’re protected.

How Much Do You Need?
Deciding on a policy can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Use MoneyGeek’s life insurance calculator to determine what’s right for you — whether it’s a term policy for debt coverage or whole life for long-term goals.

Tick-tock, the clock won’t stop. What is the best time for life insurance? Before you need it. Explore our life insurance policy comparison guide and give your future self a high-five.

💵 Living paycheck to paycheck? Here’s how to break the cycle

It's eye-opening — and alarming — how many of us live paycheck to paycheck. According to a 2023 study by LendingClub, about 61% of Americans fall into this category, with around 40% of those earning over $100,000 also stuck in this cycle. A Bank of America report reveals that 26% of households spend over 95% of their income on necessities. So, what happens when an emergency hits — a car repair, medical bill, or unexpected expense?

Let’s get proactive with a few simple, effective strategies to build a safety net:

• Automate Your Savings: Set up automatic transfers to a separate savings account. Even $50 to $100 a month can quietly grow into a solid emergency fund over time.

• Start Small With Micro-Savings: To get momentum, aim for an initial $500, then gradually work up to three to six months of expenses. 

• Trim the Extras: Look at small expenses like subscriptions or takeout. Redirecting those funds could be the start of your safety cushion.

• Side Hustles: Extra income can speed up your fund growth from freelance gigs to selling unused items.

Breaking the cycle starts with small, smart moves. Ready to start building your safety net? Check out MoneyGeek’s guide to emergency savings and take control of your finances today!

💳 Score big cash back: Say goodbye to FOMOOCB!

Are you feeling FOMOOCB (Fear of Missing Out on Cash Back)? Thinking that switching from a 1.5% to a 2% cash-back card is the only way to go? Well, there’s a better strategy, and it’s all about playing the rotation game. Pairing cards with high cash-back rates on specific categories can boost your rewards beyond 2%. Yes, really!

The Secret Combo Strategy
Our credit card gurus have done their homework. They dug through 600+ credit card combos to find the best ways to maximize your cash back. The trick? Choose cards with top-tier bonus categories (think groceries, gas, and dining) and keep them in rotation to hit those high rewards.

Avoid the High-Maintenance Trap
Some cards need monthly or quarterly activations or come with spending caps. No worries, though — we’ve zeroed in on low-maintenance cards that pack a punch without the fuss.

Tracking Tips to Keep It Simple
You don’t want to freeze up at the coffee counter, wondering which card to use, right? We’ve put together quick tips to help you keep track of your card rotations without a second thought. Our compliance crew says we can’t reveal the card names in the newsletter, but you can find all the details on our website. Don’t let FOMOOCB hold you back — check out our top cash-back cards here and start stacking up those rewards.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips or behaviors to avoid to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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