Two enormous mood shifters have happened since my last money date. On paper, I’m much more unstable. But I feel freer and more in control than I have in ages.
The first mood shift, as many of you already read, was getting laid off two weeks ago. The day of the layoffs that I wrote about was terrible, infuriating. The aftermath has been freeing and empowering. I’ve forged ahead with a job search and calls for freelance work, a salve that fills financial holes much faster and puts me in the driver’s seat. As you’ll read below, I’m expanding my horizons and basically launching a new side hustle in the wake of this layoff — exciting, sad, empowering, indicting all at once.
The second mood shift was the Nov. 4 election! Democrats swept it, and socialist Mamdani creamed Cuomo in New York City. This bodes well for a shift toward sanity in 2026, and I appreciate a reason to feel hopeful about U.S. politics. (Broken enough to put a fascist into power, but not so broken as to double down on it when he starts fascist-ing.)
➡️ Of course, this shift in my life comes when a lot of Americans’ lives are being impacted by the government shutdown and the administration’s illegal refusal to fund SNAP benefits millions of families rely on to stay fed. If you find yourself one of the lucky ones right now, spare what you can for those who aren’t.
GiveDirectly is partnering with Propel to give direct cash to SNAP households as soon as they miss a deposit. Learn more and donate here.
Feeding America has and continues to support food banks around the country. Donate to its services to fight hunger.
Feeding America also has a super-simple form that’ll automatically send a letter to your reps in Congress to urge them to end the shutdown. Just enter your information here.
💡 Inspired by a Healthy Rich contributor, a money date is an exercise I crafted for You Don’t Need a Budget. Subscribers can follow along in a private space after the paywall, and I encourage you to steal my questions to guide your own reflections!
Want to contribute a money date to Healthy Rich? Share your information here!
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