5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Click 'Buy' on Black Friday

Before you click "pay," hit the pause button to put holiday spending in perspective.

The holidays are ripe with family and friend gatherings that bring us tidings of joy — and retailers bearing some serious bargains. The tinsel, eggnog and treasure hunt for major markdowns weaken our defenses. Retail tricks we’d never fall for during other times of year slip under our radars. We get caught up in spending money just to save money. We kick ourselves when the credit card bills arrive in January.

Break the cycle of mindless spending this year.

Ask yourself these five questions — and answer honestly! — for a holiday spending reality check.

Plus:

How to Close the Gender Pay Gap … Once and For All
What are you doing in the year 2119? That’s the year the American Association of University Women predicts that the gender pay gap will finally close.

Can’t wait that long? Neither can we.

This week on the HerMoney Podcast* Jean talks to gender economist and CEO of software company Pipeline, Katica Roy, about steps we can take to level the playing field for ourselves … and our fellow women. (She’s got tips on getting paid more and how to negotiate your way up the ladder.) Plus we shine a light on the "pink tax" (as in, women pay an average of 7% more than men for things like razors and shampoo).

In this week’s Mailbag, Jean tackles questions about dating and debt, old retirement accounts and how to manage asset allocation if you’re part of the FIRE movement.

When ‘How Much Money Do You Want to Make?’ Is the Question, Here’s the Answer
You know the question is coming. Do you deflect? Dodge? Or deal with it? This HerMoney JobScript tells you exactly how to handle this tricky negotiation.

The conventional thinking is that in a negotiation you always want the person on the other side of the negotiation to name the first number. But some new research shows that it may be smarter for you to name the figure you want. Even if you name a number on the high side, it establishes an anchor number for the person you’re negotiating with to react to.

Career Coach Eliot Kaplan, former Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Hearst Magazines, shares exactly what to say when a hiring manager or recruiter pops the big one: "How much money do you want to make?" and any followup questions pitched your way.

Affordable Makeup Brands to Buy
Are you spending too much on your makeup? Wondering if a $13 foundation can compare to a $64 one?

Sometimes drugstore cosmetics are just as good as pricier versions, minus the fancier packaging. We asked makeup artists who work with a wide range of cosmetics to share their favorite affordable makeup brands. Take note: The savings can be significant. Swap an $8 mascara that works just as well as the $27 one, and if you restock every three months you’ll save more than $75 a year.

Work a few of these recommended swaps for foundation, primer, powder, blush, eye shadow, lips and nails into your beauty routine and your savings account will look even more gorgeous.