This Week’s Money Map:

• 🤖 How to stay employable in 2026

• 🚗 Car insurance: How much you need and how to pay less

• ❤️‍🩹 5 ways to get more value from your employer health plan in 2026

• 🏛️ How new federal tax changes for 2026 may affect families

🤖 How to stay employable in 2026

AI is reshaping the workplace faster than most people expected. Instead of worrying about sudden layoffs or not having enough time to transition into new roles, now is the time to take action.

Skills that keep you competitive
AI fluency is now a career advantage across all industries. And you don’t need to engineer models, you just need to use them. Whether it’s basic prompt engineering, data validation, or workflow automation, employers take note when you can use AI to work faster and with fewer errors.

Demand is rising fast in fields such as data analysis (+28% hiring growth in 2025), cybersecurity (+22%), project management (+14%), and AI-assisted business operations.¹ Many of these roles pay well, too — cybersecurity analysts, AI engineers and experienced data professionals often earn $105,000 to $145,000 depending on location and industry.

Build a simple plan to stay relevant in 2026

✅ Upskill
Start by choosing one skill to focus on for the next 90 days. Short, consistent practice is more effective than long, overwhelming study sessions. Pick a skill that enhances your current role or positions you for advancement — data visualization, AI-assisted research, entry-level cybersecurity, or customer experience strategy are all strong options.

✅ Freshen up your resume
Update your resume as you go. Include new certifications, measurable results, and examples of how AI tools improved your output in your current job. Employers care less about buzzwords and more about your ability to adapt and deliver.

✅ Build your emergency fund
Strengthen your financial buffer as well. In 2025, nearly 57% of Americans reported they couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency without borrowing. Even building one month of savings gives you leverage and reduces stress during transitions.

✅ Prepare for multiple job paths
The employment landscape is shifting toward flexibility. Contract and freelance work accounted for nearly 38% of U.S. workers in 2025, and that number is still growing. If you have skills in writing, admin support, project coordination, or customer operations, you can turn them into income streams quickly.

✅ Protect your money
If you explore self-employment, protect yourself early. Small-business insurance helps cover disputes, errors, and unforeseen issues which would be critical when you don’t have an employer’s safety net.

Your next step matters more than a perfect plan
The coming year will reward workers who prepare before pressure hits. You don’t need a flawless roadmap. You just need a clear next step and the determination to act on it while momentum is still on your side.

_{1. McKinsey & Co. “The State of AI in 2025: Agents, Innovation, and Transformation.” https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai/.}

🚗 Car insurance: How much you need and how to pay less

Car insurance costs keep on rising this year. Many states saw increases of 15–25% in 2024 and early 2025. This pressure makes choosing the cheapest car insurance more important than ever. But you don’t want to sacrifice strong protection for a manageable bill — here’s how to get both.

The sweet spot for liability coverage
Some drivers pick the cheapest legal option, but minimum coverage rarely is enough after a major accident. Medical bills, lawsuits, and vehicle damage can easily reach $50,000–150,000, especially with rising repair costs. Upgrading your liability limits is the safest long-term move.

For most households, 100/300/100 offers strong, realistic protection. That’s $100,000 per person for injuries, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.

When full coverage is worth the cost
If your car is worth more than $3,000, adding comprehensive and collision is usually smart. Repair costs hit record highs this year, with the average collision repair exceeding $5,100 in 2025. Full coverage protects you from paying that yourself, especially after weather events, hit-and-runs, or single-vehicle accidents.

Deductibles that balance cost and risk
A deductible between $500 and $1,000 works well for most drivers. Raising your deductible lowers your premium — often 10–20% — but only choose a higher amount if you can comfortably cover it from your emergency fund.

Add-ons that actually matter
Some extras are genuinely worth the small price:
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Nearly 1 in 7 drivers has no insurance.
• PIP or MedPay: Helps with medical bills and lost income after a covered accident.
• Gap coverage: Essential when financing or leasing.
• Roadside and rental reimbursement: Saves time and stress during repairs.
If you have significant savings or property, consider higher liability limits or an umbrella policy for added protection.

Discounts you may be missing
These can shave hundreds off your annual premium. Ask your insurer to review every discount available. Savings often come from:
✔️ Safe-driver history
✔️ Defensive driving courses
✔️ Anti-theft devices
✔️ Good-student status
✔️ Multi-car policies
✔️ Pay-in-full options

Explore usage-based insurance
More drivers joined usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance programs in 2025, especially remote workers or those who have low utilization. These plans reward safe braking, smooth acceleration, and reduced mileage, a strong fit if you drive less than 8,000 miles per year. 

Take action today
Review your coverage, compare a few quotes, and make small changes that add up. With premiums projected to stay high through 2026, tightening your plan now can save you real money all year long.

❤️‍🩹 5 ways to get more value from your employer health plan in 2026

If you’re one of the many Americans covered through your job, your health plan is more than just a safety net — it’s a money-saving tool hiding in plain sight. The trick? Knowing how to take full advantage of the benefits you’re already paying for.

1. Don’t auto-renew
Open enrollment is the one time each year you can reset your plan, and skipping the review can cost you. Before choosing a plan, get a sense of what “normal” costs look like for the 2026 plan year. This breakdown of 2026 average health insurance prices can help you see whether your current premium is on track or far above the state average.

If you expect a surgery or major treatment in 2026, choose a plan with a lower out-of-pocket max. If you anticipate fewer medical visits, a high-deductible plan with lower monthly costs might save you real money. 

2. Take advantage of every preventive care benefit
Most employer plans cover preventive care at no extra cost, including annual checkups, vaccines, routine bloodwork, and screenings. These visits help you catch issues early before they become stressful or expensive.

Preventive care usage dropped slightly in 2024–25, but early detection remains one of the biggest money savers in health care. Ask HR for the latest Summary of Benefits and Coverage, save a copy, and check it before scheduling appointments so you know exactly what’s free.

3. Stay in-network to avoid surprise bills
Out-of-network care is one of the fastest ways to rack up huge medical bills. In-network providers have discounted rates negotiated with insurers, while out-of-network services can cost 3–5 times more, and some claims may not be covered at all.

Since many employers moved to narrower networks in 2025 to manage rising costs, double-check your provider every single time. Use your insurer’s directory and call the office if anything looks unclear. A two-minute check can save you hundreds of dollars.

4. Use your HSA or FSA to cut your tax bill
If your employer offers a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), make them part of your strategy for 2026. These accounts let you pay medical expenses with pre-tax dollars, lowering your taxable income.

HSAs are especially valuable — the 2026 contribution limits are expected to remain near $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families, and the funds roll over each year. You can also invest the balance. FSAs typically don’t roll over, so estimate carefully based on last year’s expenses and contribute only what you expect to use.

5. Use the wellness perks hiding in your plan
Many employers expanded wellness benefits in 2025 to boost retention, yet most employees still don’t use them. Common perks include telehealth access, mental health apps, gym reimbursements, nutrition programs, smoking cessation tools, and discounts on fitness trackers. Ask HR for a full list, you might be missing hundreds of dollars in free benefits.

If your employer coverage feels limited, explore private health insurance options. This helps you fill gaps and build a safety net that matches your life. The goal is simple — protect your health, protect your money, and make choices that support both today and tomorrow.

🏛️ How new federal tax changes for 2026 may affect families

Big changes are coming to the tax code, and for families, that means both opportunities and new things to watch out for. Due to the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), many tax rules that were once temporary are now becoming permanent, and some family-focused benefits are getting better. Here’s what you need to know and how to use it to your advantage.

What’s changing (in your favor):

Higher standard deductions
For 2026, the standard deduction is going up to $16,100 for singles, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household. That means a larger chunk of your income becomes tax-free off the bat.

Bigger Child Tax Credit
The base credit per child is now $2,200 (up from $2,000), and it’s indexed for inflation going forward. More families could qualify — especially those with moderate incomes — and it gives parents a stronger cushion.

Stronger credits for dependents and child care
The credit for non-child dependents (think elderly parents or adult dependents) is staying at $500. Meanwhile, the child and dependent care tax credit has been increased — the refundable portion is more generous for eligible households. Employers also get a bigger credit for offering child care benefits, which could encourage more companies to offer those perks.

Health and benefits tweaks
You’ll be able to contribute more to your flexible spending accounts for medical expenses ($3,400 max) in 2026. Also, the carryover cap ticks up slightly.

What could bite you (or need planning):

Rates and brackets locked in — for now
One big win: the OBBBA locks in many of the current tax brackets, so they won’t revert to higher pre-2018 levels. Still, inflation adjustments are modest, so real-wage growth may push people into higher brackets.

Beware the phaseouts
Some of the expanded benefits phase out at higher incomes. For example, if your income is above $200,000 (or $400,000 joint) you may lose all or part of the improved Child Tax Credit.

Estate and other limits change
For high-net-worth families, the estate tax exclusion jumps to $15 million per person in 2026. That’s more breathing room for inheritances.

What you should do now:

1. Review your income timing
   If you expect large income in 2026 (bonuses, stock sales), consider pushing some into 2025 if possible, while brackets are favorable.

2. Max out tax-advantaged accounts
   Contribute fully to HSAs, FSAs, and employer child care benefits to reduce taxable income.

3. Check credit eligibility and phaseouts
   If you're near income thresholds, do a projection to see if you’ll lose benefits (Child Tax Credit, credits for dependents).

4. Talk to your employer
   Ask about child care benefits, FSA plan design, or pre-tax benefit shifts under the new law.

Adjust your withholding
With more tax credits and a higher standard deduction, you may be over with your withholding. Revisit your W-4 so you don’t give the IRS an interest-free loan.

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The MoneyGeek Team

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