Not today, AI

If you've been watching the AI job cuts pile up and wondering "am I next?"… you're not alone. 55,000 people lost their jobs to automation in 2025, and that number's only going up. The good news? There are concrete steps you can take right now to future-proof your career.

In 2025, AI was cited as the reason for almost 55,000 layoffs across the U.S. Amazon's 14,000 corporate job cuts were the largest in company history. Companies like Microsoft eliminated 15,000 roles and Salesforce cut 4,000 customer service positions, with CEO Marc Benioff revealing that AI now handles 30-50% of the company's workload.

These aren't isolated incidents. They're part of a broader shift in how companies are restructuring around automation. The question isn't whether AI will change your industry, but whether you'll be ready when it does.

How to stay AI-ready in your career:

✅ Learn the AI tools in your field. If you're in marketing, learn how to use AI for content creation. If you're in finance, learn how AI can automate reporting. Don't wait for your company to train you. They might just hire someone who already knows.

✅ Focus on skills AI can't replicate (yet). Strategy, relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and leadership aren't getting automated anytime soon. Double down on these.

✅ Build a side income stream. Whether it's consulting, freelancing, or a small business, having a second revenue source means layoffs don't devastate you.

✅ Stay visible. In uncertain times, the people who get cut first are the ones leadership doesn't think about. Make sure your work is seen, your value is understood, and you're actively contributing to high-priority projects.ending, add 10-25% to those line items in your budget to avoid surprises.

Not everything needs to be a hustle. Sometimes the best investment you can make is in yourself without spending a dime 👇

If you have aging parents on Medicare, there's a new system that might affect their hospital discharge and recovery… and it could mean more responsibility falls on you.

Medicare just launched TEAM (Transforming Episode Accountability Model), a mandatory five-year experiment that makes hospitals financially responsible for all patient costs for 30 days after discharge. More than 740 hospitals across 188 metro areas are now covered by this model, affecting about one-quarter of Medicare beneficiaries.

Here's what's changing: The old system paid hospitals separately for surgery, hospital stay, and post-discharge care. The new system bundles everything into one fixed payment covering the surgery, hospital stay, rehab, medications, home health, skilled nursing care (everything for 30 days after discharge).

If total costs exceed the target, the hospital pays Medicare the difference. If costs are lower, the hospital keeps the savings.

What this means for families:

🏥 More patients may be sent home instead of to nursing facilities. This could be good for many patients who prefer to recover at home. But unless hospitals provide proper training and support, it puts more burden on family caregivers to provide complex medical care.

🏥 Hospitals may partner with specific nursing facilities or home health agencies. Some will use this as an opportunity to coordinate better care. Others may just squeeze costs, which could mean lower quality care for patients.

🏥 Family caregivers may be expected to do more. If hospitals discharge patients home earlier to save money, families need to be prepared. Ask questions about what care your loved one will need, what training you'll receive, and what support is available.

The good news? At its best, TEAM could lead to better coordinated care in what's currently a fragmented system. The risk? It could shift more responsibility onto already stressed family caregivers without adequate support.

If your parent is facing surgery at a participating hospital, ask upfront about their discharge plan and what resources will be available after they leave.

Caring for aging parents while managing your own finances? Let's talk about how to plan for both.

The IRS is facing significant challenges heading into 2026. The agency lost about 25% of its workforce in 2025 (over 25,000 employees) through voluntary separations, retirements, and cuts tied to government efficiency initiatives. Meanwhile, the IRS budget was cut by roughly 9% for fiscal year 2026.

What this means for you:

📋 Longer wait times: With fewer staff, expect longer phone hold times and slower responses to inquiries. The IRS may only be able to answer about 16% of phone calls this filing season without additional hiring.

📋 Potential processing delays: E-filed returns with no errors should still process within 21 days, but paper-filed returns or anything flagged for review could take significantly longer.

📋 New tax law changes: The IRS has to implement dozens of form updates to reflect Trump's "big beautiful bill" changes, including new deductions for seniors, tax breaks on tips and overtime income, and more. These last-minute changes could create confusion.

What you can do:

✅ File electronically and file early. E-filing is faster and less prone to errors. The sooner you file, the sooner you get your refund.

✅ Double-check your return before submitting. Errors or missing information will slow everything down.

✅ Be patient if you need to contact the IRS. With reduced staffing, getting through to someone will take longer than usual.

Want a financial plan that makes tax season easier? Let’s talk.

📋 Your personal finance to-do list for 2026, broken down month by month. Financial planning is less overwhelming when you know exactly what to do each month. This guide breaks down everything from January's budget check to December's HSA contributions in a simple calendar format. Get your monthly roadmap »

💰 Trump accounts get employer matches (some up to $1,000). Trump accounts (tax-free retirement savings accounts) now come with employer matches at some companies, making them an even better deal for building wealth. If your employer offers this, it's free money you shouldn't leave on the table. See if you qualify »

📊 What is a good credit score? A good credit score typically falls between 670 and 739, while scores above 740 are considered very good or excellent. Your score affects everything from loan approvals to interest rates, so knowing where you stand is crucial. Check your score »

🧓 Taxes in retirement: What you need to know. Retirement doesn't mean you stop paying taxes. Social Security benefits, retirement account withdrawals, and investment income can all be taxed. Planning ahead helps you keep more of your money. Your retirement tax guide »