In a previous life, I worked with some of the most well-known brands in the world. My job? Help these brands sell more stuff. Specifically, my focus was on digital marketing—using a variety of tactics to create user experiences that would get people to buy in the first place, spend more when they did, and come back to do it again because the process was so seamless and delightful.

One of the most well-known marketing tactics is “The Sale.” The Sale is the carrot that tempts consumers into stores, ready to buy. Sales help retailers get rid of surplus volume and get a (relatively) predictable bump in revenue. Meanwhile, consumers get items they wanted (and a few they didn’t even know they wanted) at a discount.

The modern evolution of “The Sale” is Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s The Sale on steroids. In recent years, it hasn’t even been confined to those two days. Many retailers attribute revenue to their “holiday season” from October through the end of the year. Some even offer deals that span that entire timeframe.

This raises the question: Is there anything wrong with this?

On one hand, the answer is no. After all, businesses fail every day; their job is to sell products so they can stay in business, pay their employees, and maintain their buildings. When it works out well, consumers find great products at prices that are worth it to them.

On the other hand, retailers know a lot about consumer psychology and buying habits. They run tests with millions of users with the aim of learning how to price items, how to pair items, when to sell something at a loss, and when to sell something at a higher cost. The list goes on and on. They use this knowledge to get consumers to spend in ways—and amounts—they may not have intended.

This doesn’t necessarily mean these tactics are “wrong.” But it does mean that consumers and retailers are both engaged in a game of marketing shenanigans. Consumers know (at least to some extent) that retailers are trying to squeeze every last penny out of them, while retailers know that consumers are hunting for the best prices and convenience anywhere they can get it.

So, what does MoneySwell have to say about all these marketing shenanigans? “No thank you.”

Here’s the thing: Our brand and our values at MoneySwell are based on transparency and trust. We price our product in a way that works for our business and provides great value for our customers. Marketing shenanigans undermine both. Not only that, we hate waste. Too often, sales and similar marketing tactics result in people getting things they don’t want or need. In some small way, we’re all poorer for this because waste means that resources—and your hard-earned dollars—aren’t allocated to their best use.

Therefore, if you’re in the market for a personal finance tool and you think you’ll get a great return on your investment (by spending less, saving more, or gaining peace of mind), by all means, give MoneySwell a try starting with our 34-day free trial!

But we’ll leave the shenanigans to the others.

Happy Thanksgiving!  🦃 

Beyond the Rush: Why Year-End Financial Focus is Non-Negotiable

The final months of the year are busy! But with end-of-year financial deadlines that can impact your financial health, a well established money management routine can help you:

• Avoid costly mistakes: Keep more of your money to use as you see fit.
• Reduce Financial Stress: Know your status with confidence, even during the holidays.
• Track your progress: Clearly understand what to focus on for your best 2026.

Your MoneySwell account gives you a Financial Priorities action plan and an automatically created monthly agenda to make establishing this routine a breeze (see how!).

Three End-of-Year Financial Reminders

1. Achieve Your Retirement Savings Goals
   

   The MoneySwell Retirement Planner has all the tools you need to set goals and track your progress.

   Did you hit your minimum, target, or stretch goal for tax-advantaged retirement contributions this year? Log in to your provider’s website to confirm how your total contributions (including potential employer matches) stack up. If you’re close to a goal, a small percentage adjustment now can make a big difference.

   • MoneySwell Tip #1: When you update your Retirement Planner, you can instantly visualize how your contributions align with your goals for the year.
   • MoneySwell Tip #2: Use our 401k Match Calculator to confirm if you’re getting your employer’s full company match.

2. Secure a Final 2025 Tax Break Through Charitable Giving
   It’s been estimated that ~30% of annual donations to charity happen in December alone. That means a cause you care about is counting on your generosity.In addition to supporting your charity, donations to qualifying non-profit organizations generally reduce your taxable income. This means a $100 contribution may only cost you about $70 in real terms (depending on your bracket) once your tax savings are factored in.

3. Review Your Health Insurance (Open Enrollment)
   The fall is the only time most people can change or sign up for health insurance. This is a critical action to prepare for your 2026 financial stability.
   • MoneySwell Action Item: Don’t just re-enroll—evaluate your options! Consider this key question before your deadline: Have your anticipated health expenses changed?You may want to choose a plan with a lower deductible if you expect major procedures, or a higher deductible if you plan for minimal care. Also, consider a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that allows you to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA)—an excellent, triple-tax-advantaged way to save for future healthcare costs.

About 20 years ago, I graduated from college, moved to New York City, and spent my savings on rent, security deposit, and a broker’s fee for my first apartment. I had less money in my bank account than the $850 rent that was due in only four weeks. I walked the city looking for a job, and took the first one that said I could start the next day. For several months, I worked six days a week, 10 – 14 hour days at an Indian restaurant in the East Village. It was hard work but the food was delicious. And I made rent.

Around this time, my mom gave me a book called The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by personal finance guru Suze Orman. I was definitely young, and close to broke, but I didn’t feel fabulous. Nonetheless, I read the book cover to cover. I promised myself I would follow its advice.

Several months later, I transitioned to a temp job in an office. The hours were better and I hoped it would provide a wider range of job opportunities down the line. But I was actually making less money than when I worked at the restaurant.

Over my first year in New York, I scraped by financially. But I managed to save about $100 a month, enough to cover the move-in fees on my new, cheaper apartment. Not only that, but my hope proved true: The first day in my new apartment was also the first day of my new salaried job (with benefits!) at $40k. On my own and for the first time, I had moved up a rung. It felt amazing.

I tracked my spending and earned at least a little more than I spent. But to secure my financial future I knew I needed to apply more lessons from Suze’s book. In my mid twenties, I focused on paying off student loans, retirement planning, and taking advantage of compounding interest.

Within a few months of getting a salaried job, I opened up a Roth IRA, set up automatic contributions, and invested in low-cost, broad market ETFs.

It wasn’t long before I got raises, changed jobs, and eventually started to earn more than the allowable income threshold for contributing to a Roth IRA. I felt fortunate, and yes, even a little “fabulous” by this point.

My Roth has continued growing on its own even though I haven’t contributed in many years. Today, my Roth IRA is a powerful testament to the power of compounding and early action.

Why do I share this now?

I’ve been thinking about the early days of my personal finance journey because MoneySwell recently brought on two social media interns from the University of Colorado Boulder: Lyndsey Shahani and Parker Brown. They will be working with us throughout the fall and I’m excited to have them on board!

As they use MoneySwell to manage their money and learn important financial lessons, I’m thrilled to see their first posts focusing on compounding interest, retirement planning, and budgeting.

To see their work and more essential personal finance content, follow the MoneySwell Company Page on LinkedIn, or our other channels including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube!