🫀 Closing a Credit Card Is Like Pulling a Line in the ICU
Sometimes it’s the safest move. Sometimes it creates a bigger problem.
One of the most common questions I get is:
“Should I close this credit card?”
And what I hear underneath that question is usually:
Fear of slipping back into debt
Desire for a “clean slate”
A need for control and safet...
Jan 24, 2026
📈📉 HYSA rates rise and fall. Here’s the real reason.
Your HYSA Rate Is Like a Drip in the ICU
And no, you didn’t do anything wrong.
You’re not imagining it.
Your High-Yield Savings Account used to earn 4.5%.Now it’s 3.75%. Maybe even 3.00%.
And if you’re like most nurses, a familiar thought creeps in:
“Wait… what did I miss? Did I mess something u...
Jan 24, 2026
📊 When a 0% Balance Transfer Actually Works
This is about stopping interest bleed and creating momentum not playing games with credit.
One of the most misunderstood debt strategies I see is the 0% balance transfer.
Used poorly, it delays progress.Used intentionally, it can save thousands and dramatically reduce stress.
Let’s walk through t...
Jan 24, 2026
🪜The Trinity Study isn’t a finish line. It’s a framework.
Let's dive into The Trinity Study, the research behind the well-known 4% rule. This isn’t just another internet number.It’s a study rooted in real market data, designed to answer a powerful question:
“How much can I safely withdraw from my retirement savings each year, without running out of mon...
Jan 24, 2026
🚗 Should you pay off your car early?
Let’s talk about freedom, pressure, and your plan.
You might be staring at your car loan and thinking:“Should I just pay this off and be done with it?”
Let’s slow it down and look at the full picture.
Because here’s the truth:Your car isn’t an asset that grows in value.It’s a liability, it loses...
Jan 18, 2026
💰Paying off your mortgage faster? Here’s what that actually saves you.
Let’s break down the strategies and the stories behind them.You’ve probably heard that making extra mortgage payments can save you “a lot” over time…
But how much is “a lot”? And what does that really look like in real life?
Let’s zoom in on an example from someone we’ll call Stephanie.She has a ...
Jan 18, 2026
🧾 Should you pay off your mortgage early?
Let’s talk about the emotions and the math behind this decision.
Let’s talk about a question I hear all the time:
“Should I pay off my mortgage early?”
And what I really hear underneath that is:🧠 “Is this smart?”💰 “Will I save money?”🫀 “Will this finally make me feel safe?”
So let’s take a step...
Jan 18, 2026
🏠 Should you buy a house right now?
If you’ve been hearing this lately…
“Renting is throwing money away.”“You need to buy before rates go up again.”“Real wealth is built through real estate.”
Pause.
Let’s take a deep breath.
At NurseMoneyDate®, we don’t make big financial decisions based on pressure, panic, or what everyone else ...
Jan 18, 2026
📈📉 HYSA rates rise and fall. Here’s the real reason.
You’re not imagining it.
Your High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) used to earn 4.5%. Now it’s 3.75%. Maybe even 3.00%.
And if you’re like most of us, you might be thinking:“Wait… what did I do wrong?”
Let me stop you right there.
This isn’t about personal performance.It’s about economic rhythm. And...
Jan 17, 2026
💸 How HYSAs actually earn interest.
Let’s talk about what your money can do when it’s placed with intention.
At NurseMoneyDate®, we don’t treat savings accounts like investments.We use them to organize your money: to build a buffer, support your rhythms, and separate “for now” from “for later.”
But even so, when your money earns 3%...
Jan 17, 2026
📞 How to ask for a lower interest rate (with scripts).
Let’s take a deep breath together.This isn’t about shame. It’s about strategy.You’re not behind, you’re just ready to take one clear step forward.
Today’s step? Negotiating a lower credit card interest rate. Temporarily. Strategically. Without begging.
Because here's the truth:Most credit card co...
Jan 17, 2026
🧾 What Your Withholding Status Really Means
A nurse-friendly breakdown of W-4s, tax refunds, and how to check if you're giving the IRS too much (or too little).
You probably filled it out during onboarding.Maybe it asked if you’re single or married.Maybe it said something about “0” or “1.”Maybe you don’t even remember what you picked.
We’...
Jan 13, 2026