Your Money: Help for undecided young adults

April 20, 2026

	By Ron Lieber

Hi everyone —

This weekend, we published an excerpt from “How to Start,” a book by our colleague (and my wife) Jodi Kantor. The book is a pep talk for young adults trying to find their life’s work at a moment that defies adjectives but is anything but certain.

Here’s a pointed question that serves as a backdrop to the excerpt: How do undecided people become decided? What systems, mechanisms, software … something can help them find their way?

If you have helped or witnessed young adults figure themselves out — and have suggestions about specific self-discovery tactics others can use — please drop us a note at yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com. We hope to have more to say on the topic later this year.

Below you’ll find a selection of other money-related stories we’ve published recently. Have a good week.

An illustration of a woman in a window shedding a tear and dropping a dollar bill.

Till Lauer

your money adviser

You Have Some Options for Dealing With Rising Property Taxes

The average bill rose 3 percent last year, in part because of higher tax rates. There are ways to try to reduce what you owe, experts say.

By Ann Carrns

A gas station, with a fuel pump in the foreground and two cars behind it. Above the gas pump is a sign that says Sherborn Fuel.

Why Gas Prices Go Up Fast and Take So Long to Fall

Fuel station owners take some of the hit for consumers when oil prices surge. On the way down, they try to get their money back.

By Lydia DePillis

A photo illustration shows an office worker sitting in front of a blank A.I. chatbot screen while looking over their shoulder scowling.

work Friend

My Boss Is Addled by ChatGPT. Do I Have to Play Along?

Plus, if you’re feeling old and sidelined at work, this is the fictional character to channel.

By Max Read

A woman in a brown leather jacket leans against a stone railing with colorful homes behind her.

They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable.

Americans have enjoyed lifestyles that would normally be out of reach to them by working remotely in countries with lower living costs.

By Will McCurdy

An illustration depicts three statues in graduation gowns and caps, two sculpted in a dark brown material and crumbling and one sculpted in white. The figure in white, center, holds a sign that reads “Craft & Need.”

This Is a Hard Time to Start a Career. These Two Words Can Help.

Advice on building a rewarding work life, even amid employment gloom.

By Jodi Kantor

Why Your Paycheck Feels Smaller

Ben Casselman, our chief economics correspondent, explains why wages are not keeping up with inflation and what that means for American workers and the economy.

By Ben Casselman, Nour Idriss, Sutton Raphael and Stephanie Swart

Ms. Rad standing outside her home, holding her dog, a black and brown dachsund.

retiring

They Withdrew 401(k) Money Early, and They Have Some Regrets

More Americans are taking hardship withdrawals from workplace retirement accounts, prompted by rising costs — and looser rules.

By Kailyn Rhone

White House Shrugs Off Shaky Economy as War Exceeds Trump’s Timeline

Stocks may be soaring again, but the war in Iran has started to pinch the finances of many Americans.

By Tony Romm and Colby Smith

An illustration of a large round clock with a blue border sitting in a wastebasket along with dollar bills.

The ‘Annoyance Economy’ Is More Than Just Annoying

A new estimate puts the cost of dealing with robocalls, hidden fees and customer service chatbots that can’t solve most problems at $165 billion.

By Lora Kelley

A soda dispenser showing options for Pepsi Zero Sugar, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Drew and Crush.

Consumers Are Still Spending on Snacks Despite War’s Effects, PepsiCo Says

Executives at the food and drink giant announced a rise in sales of drinks and snacks but warned that “inflation will come.”

By Julie Creswell

Amy Trojanowski on her couch with her dog.

retiring

Help for Medicare Advantage Patients Who Lose Doctors Is Shelved, for Now

Nationwide, hospitals and other providers are leaving private Medicare Advantage plans, putting thousands of seniors at risk of higher costs and of losing trusted doctors.

By Susan Jaffe

That Meeting You Hate May Keep A.I. From Stealing Your Job

As artificial intelligence makes many tasks easier, the human work of cajoling, arm-twisting and reassuring appears to be rising in importance.

By Noam Scheiber

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