This Week’s Money Map:

• 🧐 Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopper guide: How to find real deals this week

• 🏠 Why switching your home insurance makes sense right now

• 💳 Turn your business spend into 400K Capital One miles

• 🤑 7 holiday side hustles that actually pay in 2025

🧐 Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopper guide: How to find real deals this week

Black Friday and Cyber Monday week moves fast. Prices shift by the hour. Real deals hide among inflated "discounts" and lightning-fast promos that vanish before you can click "add to cart."

The good news? A clear game plan beats endless scrolling every time. Let's cut through the noise.

Start with real price checks
Price history reveals the truth behind a discount. Use CamelCamelCamel or the Keepa browser extension to check how an item’s price moved throughout the year. Both tools track Amazon prices and show whether the current deal is genuine or recycled. Keepa also alerts you when a product hits your target price. 

Compare across major retailers in seconds
Retailers adjust prices constantly during Black Friday to Cyber Monday week. You save more when you compare fast. The Honey browser extension shows price history, coupon codes and cheaper sellers in one view. Capital One Shopping scans multiple retailers as you shop and highlights better options. Both tools help you avoid overpaying. For broader research, sites like Slickdeals, BlackFriday.com and TechBargains list verified deals that trend lower than usual each year.

Watch for limited-time drops
Time-limited deals often carry the strongest savings. Amazon’s Lightning Deals, Walmart’s Deals of the Hour and Target’s Holiday Price Drops change throughout the day. Many of the best drops happen late at night or early morning when traffic is low. Set price alerts on key items, then check them twice daily to catch the best drops.

Focus on the categories with the best value
Some categories reliably hit their lowest prices of the year this week. TVs, laptops, earbuds, gaming consoles, tablets, mixers, air fryers, robot vacuums, mattresses and home safety gadgets often get the highest cuts. Clothing and home basics rarely see deep discounts. Use your time on items with the highest expected savings. 

Compare product versions before you buy
Many retailers discount older models during Black Friday. You can save a lot by picking last year’s version. Look for the model number and release year. A quick comparison on Google Shopping or YouTube reviews helps you see if the differences matter. Older models often deliver better value at 30% to 40% less.

Keep basic scam awareness in the background
Scams rise during Black Friday, but simple habits protect you. Type store websites yourself and avoid clicking on links from emails or text messages. Avoid unfamiliar shops that you can’t verify on Google or Trustpilot. Use credit cards or trusted wallet services for better protection.

Check shipping timelines before checkout
Shipping windows stretch during Black Friday. Some items push delivery into mid-December. Check the estimated arrival date on the checkout page. A strong deal loses value if it arrives too late.

Protect your new purchases
Big-ticket items feel better when protected. A quick home insurance check helps you confirm that your coverage supports new electronics or household items. Small gaps can turn into stress later. A brief coverage review now prevents headaches later.

🏠 Why switching your home insurance makes sense right now

Your home insurance renewal is likely due in the next few months. Before you click "auto-renew" out of habit, look at this: premiums have jumped 40.4% over the last six years, according to LendingTree's 2025 report.

That's not a typo. Your coverage costs 40% more than it did six years ago. Which means right now, before renewal season hits, is the perfect time to shop around.

Get clarity about your current coverage
Before you consider changing companies, take a close look at what you already have. Review your declarations page and note:
• Your coverage details (dwelling, personal property, liability)
• Your deductible
• Any optional add-ons (like flood or wind)
• Your renewal date

Knowing exactly what you’re paying for now helps you compare new quotes accurately — apples to apples.

Gather and compare quotes
When getting new quotes, don’t just go with the first offer. Get an online estimate from at least three or four companies, including independent agents who can pull options from multiple carriers. Ask for the same coverage levels so you’re making a fair comparison.

Ask:
• What discounts are available? (multipolicy, alarm system, roof age, etc.)
• What perils are excluded or limited in each policy?
• What happens after a claim?
• How do premiums change long term?

Time it correctly to avoid gaps
One of the biggest risks when switching: a lapse in coverage. That’s why you should schedule your new policy to start on the same day or just before your old one ends. If possible, a slight overlap is safer than no financial protection at all. Once your new policy is active:
✔️ Cancel your old one in writing.
✔️ Ask for written confirmation of cancellation.
✔️ Request a prorated refund for any unused premium (though it may come with cancellation fees.
✔️ If you have a mortgage, let your lender know right away about the switch. Send it your new declarations page so it can update its records and escrow.

Lower your premium without switching providers
Switching isn’t the only way to save. You can also reduce your premium by:
✅ Raising your deductible, if you can afford it
✅ Improving your home’s risk profile, such as adding a monitored security system, upgrading your roof, installing storm shutters or improving fire resistance
✅ Taking advantage of “risk reduction” discounts, which many insurers offer when you make upgrades or harden your home against disaster

Build a yearly habit
With rates climbing so fast and risk profiles changing, renewing the same policy without review could cost you. Make it a habit: once a year, pull new quotes, reevaluate what coverage you need and reassess discounts and insurers.

Even a 5% to 10% saving means $100 to $200 back in your pocket annually, especially given the recent double-digit increases in many places.

By auditing your current coverage, shopping wisely, timing things right and actively managing your policy, you can get better coverage for rebuilding costs and liability claims while paying less. Do the legwork once, and you'll be better covered and paying less for years to come.

💳 Turn your business spend into 400K Capital One miles

Capital One is running one of the most aggressive business card bonuses we've seen: earn up to 400,000 miles. That's 200,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months, plus another 200,000 after spending $150,000 in the first six months.

At baseline, that's $4,000 in travel value. But transfer those miles strategically to airline partners, and you're looking at $6,000 to $10,000 worth of premium travel.

Why this works for high-spending businesses
The annual fee is $395, but the math works in your favor:
• Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase — no categories, no rotating rules, no hoops
• Higher earnings on travel: 10X on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, 5X on flights and vacation rentals
• $300 annual travel credit when booking through Capital One Business Travel, which is a built-in offset
• 10,000 bonus anniversary miles every year, effectively reimbursing much of your annual fee
• Access to 1,300-plus airport lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass
• Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

These benefits make frequent travel smoother, cheaper and more comfortable, especially for business owners who are in and out of airports often.

The fee practically pays for itself. Between the $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles (worth roughly $100), your effective annual cost drops to under $50. That's less than most premium personal cards charge.

Who this card is perfect for
This card works well for business owners with predictable, high-volume expenses. If you regularly spend on inventory, advertising, contractors, supplies, equipment, SaaS or tech infrastructure, then hitting $150,000 in six months is realistic and extremely rewarding.

Smarter redemption = more travel rewards
Capital One gives you two powerful ways to maximize value:

1. Book through Capital One Business Travel
You’ll enjoy no blackout dates, easy redemptions and the ability to stack your miles with the 10X and 5X earning categories.

2. Transfer to airline and hotel partners
Transferring to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles can unlock outsized redemptions such as:
• Round-trip business class to Europe
• Premium cabins to Asia
• Luxury hotel stays at partner chains

This is how savvy travelers stretch 400,000 miles into $6,000 to $10,000 worth of travel.

A safer trip with travel insurance
Even though the card provides several protective benefits, it doesn’t replace full travel insurance, especially for international trips, expensive itineraries or situations that require medical coverage abroad, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation for covered reasons or coverage for companions or employees.

Many business travelers stack a standalone travel insurance policy with their Venture X Business card. Doing so ensures you're protected from major financial risks that card benefits alone don’t cover, especially when booking pricey long-haul flights or group travel paid through the business.

Make this work for you
Your strategy to maximize the full 400,000 miles:

1. Run your spending numbers
Look at your next six months of predictable business expenses. If you can naturally hit $150,000, you’re in the ideal position.

2. Time your application
Apply immediately so your spend timeline resets cleanly and gives you maximum runway.

3. Funnel large expenses
Shift major purchases such as inventory, equipment, annual software renewals and prepaid advertising onto the card.

4. Plan redemptions beforehand
Decide whether you’ll use Capital One Business Travel or transfer to partners. Planning ahead saves thousands.

This isn’t a casual spender’s card, but for the right business owner, it’s one of the most lucrative travel rewards opportunities available today. Execute this strategy, and you're looking at multiple business class flights to Europe or a year's worth of domestic travel — all covered.

🤑 7 holiday side hustles that actually pay in 2025

The holiday economy creates temporary income opportunities that vanish after New Year's. We're talking real money: $2,000 to $5,000 you can earn in the next six weeks.

These aren't "make money from your couch" fantasies. They're legitimate hustles that actually pay, with real demand right now. Let's break down what works.

1. Holiday catering and custom baking 
What it pays: Home bakers charge $40 to $80 per dozen for custom cookies. Meal prep services get $200 to $500 per family for complete Christmas dinner packages. Party coordinators charge $40 to $150 per hour.

Barrier to entry: Check your local cottage food laws. Most states allow home baking without a commercial license for certain products, but catering often requires health department approval and liability insurance.

2. Personal shopping and errand services
What it pays: Busy professionals pay $25 to $50 per hour for holiday shopping help. TaskRabbit shoppers report making $500 to $1,200 during the December rush. Some charge flat fees of $100 to $200 per family plus purchase reimbursement.

Barrier to entry: No special license needed. Just reliable transportation, attention to detail, and basic organizational skills. Consider liability insurance if handling expensive purchases.

3. Photography sessions and party coverage 
What it pays: Holiday card photos run $150 to $400 for 30-minute family sessions. Corporate events pay $500 to $1,500 for three to four hours. Family gatherings pay $200 to $400.

Barrier to entry: You don't need professional equipment. A decent smartphone camera, basic editing skills (try apps like Lightroom Mobile) and a good eye get you started at $75 to $125 per session.

4. Holiday decorating and takedown services (two revenue windows)
What it pays: Installation runs $200 to $800, depending on home size. The window is right now through December 10. Then in January, takedown and storage services charge $150 to $400. Outdoor light installation commands premium rates of $300 to $1,200.

Barrier to entry: No license required, but you need a sturdy ladder, basic tools and comfort working at heights. You’ll need liability insurance — one fall could wipe out your entire season's earnings.

5. Personalized gifts and custom products 
What it pays: Etsy sellers report November and December account for 40% of annual revenue. Custom ornaments, engraved items and personalized stockings sell consistently at $15 to $50 per item.

Barrier to entry: Print-on-demand services like Printful and Printify handle production and shipping with zero inventory investment. You just create designs. Start-up cost: under $50 for design software subscriptions.

6. Package delivery and gift wrapping 
What it pays: Amazon, UPS and FedEx pay $18 to $23 per hour with sign-on bonuses. Freelance gift wrappers charge $5 to $15 per gift and report making $2,000 to $3,000 in December.

Barrier to entry: Delivery jobs require a clean driving record and passing a background check. Gift wrapping just needs scissors, tape and a good eye for presentation. Set up at malls or partner with local boutiques.

7. Virtual assistant and customer service overflow 
What it pays: Companies hire remote support staff at $15 to $22 per hour. The busiest period runs from December 15 to 26, so you can earn $1,000 to $2,000+ in just two weeks.

Barrier to entry: Reliable internet, quiet workspace and professional phone manner. Companies like LiveOps and Working Solutions hire quickly. Amazon, Apple and major retailers need immediate help.

Protect what you're building
If you're using your car for deliveries, selling food from home or running events, check your insurance coverage first. The cheapest small business insurance costs around $104 monthly but provides financial protection from liability claims that could cost tens of thousands.

Holiday side hustles can bring in an extra $2,000 to $5,000 before year-end. That's real money heading into 2026. Research today. Apply this week. Get paid in December.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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