Michelle Singletary

How a no-buy month can help get your finances in order A no-buy period is a time when you stop spending on anything but necessities.

www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2... loved doing this interview with Here & Now's Scott Tong @wbur.org

I’m still full time columnist at the Post. Just on vacation

According to Edmunds, the average price gap between a new and used car has shrunk to about $17,000. That is still a significant difference. However, this narrowing makes it a bit harder to convince people that buying used is a better deal.

Used or new? What do you think?

Column | The average used-car price hit $30,000. Should you just buy new? New cars typically lose value — and quickly. But some basic calculations will help you decide whether it’s worth buying a used vehicle instead.

The average price for a three-year-old used vehicle has surpassed $30,000. With the price of used cars going up, is it worth it to just buy new? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

The point is our financial lives can get messy. Even someone like me can fall behind on all of the administrative tasks we have to keep up with. Don't beat yourself up about it. Learn form your mistakes and accept help when needed.

Column | I write about money. Yet I nearly forfeited a $3,000 reimbursement. Life can often interfere with managing your money, even if you’re a personal finance columnist.

I'm a personal finance columnist but I nearly lost out on $3,000. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Just keep reporting.

I just got one about a 6 dollar unpaid DMV toll. Sorry hotmail account, I don’t believe you.

I received both those scam texts yesterday. Ridiculous

Yes and the first one I got made me laugh very hard. I don't have a car 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Awww. Thank you.

Just wow. The scammers just blanket these messages

Every day or so I get threatening texts regarding my mounting pile of unpaid tolls in Oregon. I don't own a car and have not driven one in 8 years when I lived in New York.

Report, then block.

Don't trust any text. Double-check always!

Teen works at Burger King on graduation night, sparks viral college fund “I was always taught to stay focused and keep doing the right thing,” said Mykale Baker.

I love this kid.
wapo.st/45KDCDg

Column | Have you received scam texts about an unpaid toll? You are not alone. In 2024, consumers reported losing $470 million to scams that started with text messages, according to the FTC — a fivefold jump since 2020.

Have you also been receiving those scam texts about an unpaid toll? What about the ones offering you a job that seems too good to be true? Text scams are the cockroaches of our digital lives. They just won't die. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

You're ✨delulu✨ if you're buying Labubu when your student loans are due due

Tell me your timeshare horror stories.

My latest column was about saving money on your summer plans. One of my tips is not to bother with the pesky sales pitches. If there's anything more valuable than your money, it's your time.

thanks for sharing my column, Emily :)

Column | 5 tips for a fun summer without bag fees, freeloaders and timeshare traps Almost a third of Americans say they’ll take on debt this summer for vacation. Here’s how to return home with memories, not financial remorse.

You’re planning a trip to sandy shores when you should be shoring up your emergency savings www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Column | Student loans hurt your credit score? Here’s how to fix it. Student loans hurt your credit score? The climb back to a good credit range is doable if you make consistently smart and responsible financial choices.

The New York Fed estimates that more than 9 million borrowers will see their credit scores nosedive as their history of missed student loan payments will return to their credit. The good news is they can fix it. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

It’s the last day to book a flight on Southwest Airlines without being hit with a bag fee. The airline announced that it will be charging $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for the second. Will this change the way you fly?

▪️More wage fluctuation

Tip amounts are generally discretionary, which creates uncertainty for the customer and the service worker. With a new tax break, some may feel justified in tipping less, which could result in greater fluctuations in workers’ earnings.

▪️Less incentive for employers to pay a living wage

Some experts say employers might be more inclined to keep base wages low if a significant portion of an employee’s income comes in the form of untaxed tips. This could shift a larger share of a worker’s compensation onto customers.

▪️More pressure to tip

The same @bankrate.com survey found 34% of Americans are especially annoyed by tip options on payment screens. This proposed tax incentive could expand the use of tipped work, creating more awkward and intimidating check out interactions.

▪️Tip fatigue will intensify.

A 2024 @bankrate.com survey found that roughly 1 in 3 Americans feel as though tipping culture has gotten “out of control.” Suspending taxes on tips will inevitably fuel customer frustration with the practice.

The Senate’s unanimous endorsement of the “No Tax on Tips Act” could ignite a whole new level of tipping resentment. Here's how I see this playing out ✍️

Column | ‘No tax on tips’ could backfire amid growing tip fatigue The legislation has implications for those who give gratuities and those who pocket them, with the potential to leave both sides feeling shortchanged.

The Senate’s unanimous endorsement of the “No Tax on Tips Act” could ignite a whole new level of tipping resentment. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Working on my Sunday column. Tips are generally considered taxable income but a new bill could change that.

Should tips be taxed?