enRICHed: volume 129

mother’s day 💐

May 11, 2025

Volume 129

Hey Besties!

When I say the word “midwife,” what comes to mind? If you’re in the US, it’s more than likely negative. But why is that the case? Did you know that in every other high-income country, midwifery is common practice? The US is practically alone in demonizing alternative birthcare which is crazy when you think about how midwifery is the original form of maternal healthcare and often leads to better outcomes for both mom and baby! I didn’t understand this either, OR why hiring a midwife is SO dang expensive. That’s why I sat down with Elaine Welteroth—journalist, TV host, and founder of birthFUND—on this week’s episode of Networth & Chill! I got to learn all about midwifery and what she’s doing to make it more accessible in the US. New episodes of the podcast drop every single Wednesday so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE or follow Networth and Chill wherever you get your podcasts!

Plus, keep up with the podcast on Instagram and TikTok!

As a reminder:

HYCU, pronounced haiku: how the news impacts you and your wallet, aka How You Can Use
The Prosperitea: think discount codes, non-boring finance articles, sales, and personal links from the week. The fun stuff 😉
We love your comments, but please remember to keep it positive! And don’t take investing advice from anyone who isn’t your registered financial advisor!

Now that you’re up to speed, let’s get you enRICHed.

The “Dignified” Deportation Dinero 🤔

In the latest news by the Trump administration in their anti-immigration efforts, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a new plan: they’ll pay you to leave.
You read that right: the DHS is now offering $1,000 and covered travel costs to anyone who voluntarily “self-deports” using the CBP Home app—which, yes, is the very same platform the Biden administration used to manage asylum-seekers entering legally. But instead of using the app to apply to get into the country, you can now get $1,000 and a plane ticket out of the country through the app.
The new plan, which they’ve called a “historic opportunity,” is all part of the administration’s vocal attempts to remove undocumented immigrants from the US. This comes at the same time that Trump has also pushed for a new “gold card” that allows wealthy people who want to obtain a U.S. visa to pay $5 million to get a pathway to citizenship. White House officials have said it would replace the EB-5 visa program, which offers a route for permanent residency for rich foreign investors.
HYCU; A deportation costs on average about $17,121, but according to the DHS, by encouraging self-deportation, the agency says it could cut that figure by 70% even with the stipend. Critics of the plan say that the stipends could very well be false promises, and that anyone undocumented and considering this route should seek legal assistance before accepting.

Where Are The Real Ones? 🪪✈️

The day is finally here: as of this week, regular driver’s licenses won’t work for you at the border or airport anymore—every US air traveler aged 18 and up will need a REAL ID to get through airport security.
A lot of people are still in denial that this is real, which makes sense. The deadline’s been pushed back so many times; the REAL ID Act was first passed back in 2005 in response to 9/11, and the date it was meant to be required got bumped so many times since then.
More bad news for procrastinators: different states have different methods for the REAL ID process, which is only adding to the chaos. Illinois, for one, has opened a “Real ID Only Supercenter,” which kind of sounds like a club where you get to sort out your real friends from the haters. Women who’ve changed their names due to marriage or divorce have been facing the biggest hurdles. Many are stuck making multiple trips just to get the right paperwork, thanks to outdated records or missing original marriage certificates.
HYCU; Depending on the state you’re in, upgrading to a REAL ID may cost money, but if you frequently travel domestically, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. But, for those of you who are still pushing the timeline of getting your REAL ID, a valid passport or other TSA-approved ID will still work at security.

Can You Af-Ford The Tariffs? 🚗🚙

Ford Motors announced on Wednesday that it would be raising prices on three models produced in Mexico, blaming higher US tariffs on imported vehicles as one reason for the adjustment.
Bad news for car shoppers: the Maverick, Bronco Sport and Mach-E models will be increasing in price by up to $2,000 per model, according to the manufacturer.
That being said, the price hikes apply only to imported vehicles that were built after May 2, so if you are looking into buying a Ford car, this could be a question to ask at your dealership—those models are expected to arrive at dealership lots in late June.
HYCU; The good news is that cars that have already been shipped and that are currently on dealer lots are not subject to the price hikes, so if you were hoping to buy a car, buying sooner rather than later will definitely be a better deal. Of course, we all expected price hikes like this to happen, but if you were hoping that this was all a bad dream, it’s time to take a good hard look at your purchases and see how much your spending might increase.

Allison asks, “How do I not have an attitude at work if my boss denied my request for a raise?”

Hey Allison,

Ooh, great question and sorry to hear it! It can be super tough to handle a raise denial without letting your feelings get the best of you. It's hard to get negative feedback, and even harder in THIS economy! Here’s how to keep it professional and maintain a positive vibe at work:

Stay Calm and Collected: Take a deep breath. It’s natural to feel disappointed, but try to approach the situation with a level head. Remember, it’s not personal; it’s business.
Seek Constructive Feedback: After the meeting, ask your boss for specific reasons behind the denial (if they haven’t shared this with you yet!). This shows you're open to growth and willing to improve. Many people don’t realize that understanding their weaknesses can lead to future opportunities… and a potential raise *approval*.
Create an Improvement Plan: Based on the feedback, set clear goals for yourself. This could involve taking on new projects or pursuing additional training. This matters because demonstrating your commitment can strengthen your case next time around.
Quantify Your Achievements: Keep a record of your contributions and successes. Having metrics to backup your value can make a compelling case for a future raise. It’s like building your own “Brag Book” to showcase your wins!
Consider Alternative Compensation: If a raise isn’t feasible, think about negotiating for other perks like extra vacation days or professional development opportunities. This can still enhance your job satisfaction without the need for a salary increase.
Maintain a Positive Attitude: While it’s normal to feel bummed out, focus on excelling in your current role. Channel that energy into your work, and keep an eye on future opportunities. This matters because a positive attitude can lead to better relationships and potential promotions down the line.
Follow Up: If you didn’t get the raise you wanted, don’t be afraid to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss your progress. This keeps you on your boss's radar and shows your dedication.

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Rich Tip of the Week: The #1 thing you NEED to do before a recession!
The first-ever American Pope has been elected, and he’s from Chicago, which means he’s probably eaten more hot dogs than any other Pope in history.
May means the Met Gala, and this year’s theme “Tailored For You” meant that we got to see the coolest, weirdest suits and a pair of controversial underwear.
In case you thought brand collabs couldn’t get any weirder, may I offer a Dove body wash inspired Chamberlain Coffee latte?

SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS BESTIES