The Daily Money

ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mon Dec 16 2024

Betty Lin-Fisher | Consumer reporter

@blinfisher

Good morning! This is Betty Lin-Fisher with today's The Daily Money.

It's the season of giving, but what do you do when someone gives you an unexpected gift and you don't have anything to give them in return?

Do you feel that pit in your stomach? What should you do? Lie and say you forgot the gift at home? Sheepishly say thank you while feeling horrible inside?

Or should you accept the gift at all?

In the latest story in my Uncomfortable Conversations About Money series, I spoke to Lizzie Post, the great-great granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post for some advice. Post is also an author and the co-president of The Emily Post Institute.

Here's what she said about how you should handle the awkward situation.

By the way, my first story in the series last December tackled what to do when the grandparents want to spoil kids with holiday gifts.

Here are my next three topics. I'm looking for people willing to talk to me about their experiences.

•	Should you borrow money from your family? What are the pros and cons?
•	How should you split the bills and expenses when you move in with a significant other and your incomes are vastly different?
•	What should you do when your spouse or partner's ex asks for money?

Did you get an unexpected gift and you have nothing in return? What should you do?

Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Will Trump's plan lower gas prices?

On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to lower consumer prices that have soared since the pandemic, explaining how he would do so by repeating a simple mantra: drill, baby, drill, my colleague Paul Davidson reports.

Will Trump's plan cut gas prices and fix inflation?

📰 Consumer stories you shouldn't miss 📰

•	Here's why eliminating Social Security benefit taxes could be bad.
•	These major changes are coming for wheelchair users traveling by air.
•	Here are seven reasons why Americans are paying more for health care.
•	Want to move abroad? These countries will pay you to move there.
•	Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reflects on his tenure.

📰 A great read 📰

We've been featuring favorite 2024 stories from colleagues. Here's one from Andrea Riquier.

The starter home launched generations of American homeowners. Can it still deliver?

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.v