One of the pieces of basic financial advice I ever got was to have the amount of money I plan to save every paycheck directly deposited into my savings account, rather than into my checking account with the rest of my pay. Splitting up my direct deposit helps me avoid cheating myself or forgetting that some of what’s in my checking account is intended to be transferred to savings, and it’s usually possible to adjust through your employer. Check out our advice below for other little tweaks that can make a huge difference in managing this thing called life. 

Janie

Take Back Your Life

A lot of workplaces no longer require employees to wear masks. If you’re still most comfortable wearing a mask in an office setting, you may suddenly find yourself in the minority. And when you are one of the only people with a face mask on, it can feel socially awkward. We asked epidemiologists and other COVID experts to weigh in on the benefits of one-way masking, and offer conversation strategies to those of us who still prefer to wear them: 

Deal With It

We are living in stressful times. If you’re finding it hard to remember basic to-dos, you are not alone. Constant stress and anxiety take a toll on your brain, and can lead to what is known as “brain fog,” which can then lead to inconveniences like running out of toilet paper and forgetting to pay your electric bill on time. Automating as many administrative and household duties can mean fewer headaches to deal with. Here are some basic things you can automate to make your life a little easier, from money to pet food to previews of your mail:

Pro Tip:

Many Americans are a bit fuzzy on how taxes work and how much they actually pay. A 2018 Gallup poll, for instance, found that 45% of respondents said they believe they pay too much in federal income taxes. But approximately 47% of Americans don’t pay any federal income taxes. Many of us might not realize that the tax bracket we fall into is not actually the rate we pay. Here’s how to figure out what your actual tax rate is. It’s probably less than you think! 

Want More Practical Magic?

• Are expensive nonstick frying pans actually worth the money? 

• My family had too much stuff. Here’s how becoming minimalists changed our lives.

• Should you bring up inflation in your request for a raise?

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