One Year I Used Only Discounted Gift Cards for Gifting—Here’s What I Learned

A woman holds a discounted gift card and a handwritten card, ready to give it as a present.

It all started, as many financial resolutions do, with a slightly queasy feeling after a particularly extravagant holiday season. I remember sitting amidst a mountain of discarded wrapping paper, looking at my credit card statement preview online, and thinking, “There has to be a better way.” It wasn’t that I regretted the generosity, not at […]

Top 10 Market Movers After the Latest Fed Interest Rate Decision

A graph showing the varied reactions of different stock market sectors (technology, banking, real estate, etc.

Welcome to Pocket Watch, your trusted source for understanding the financial world. Today, we’re diving into a topic that often makes headlines and can seem a bit complex: the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions and how they shake up the stock market. Many of us are keeping a close eye on our investments and savings, […]

I Got Denied for a Mortgage—Here’s What I Learned the Hard Way

A woman stands proudly in the garden of her single-story home, smiling contentedly.

The dream of a little place to call my own, truly my own in these golden years, had been simmering for a while. It wasn’t about climbing a property ladder anymore; it was about peace, about having a garden I could fuss over, and a cozy nook for my books and a comfortable chair. After […]

6 Price-Tracking Tools For Deals

A smartphone displaying a graph showing the price history of an item, along with a notification indicating a price drop.

6 Price-Tracking Tools For Deals We all love finding a good deal. Getting what you need or want at a lower price feels like a victory, doesn’t it? In today’s world of online shopping, prices can change quickly. What you see one day might be different the next. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re […]

8 Monthly Expenses You Should Cancel Right Now

A person examines their bank statement and credit card bills, highlighting several recurring charges for services that are no longer needed.

Welcome! We all work hard for our money, and it’s natural to want to make sure it’s working just as hard for us. As we journey through different stages of life, our financial needs and priorities can shift. Finding ways to cut expenses and manage our budgets wisely becomes even more important, especially if we’re […]

6 Things We Learned from Amazon, Walmart & Target’s Earnings

A digitally enhanced grocery store aisle with online order pickup area, showing a variety of fresh produce and essential items.

When retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Target announce their financial results, it’s more than just numbers on a page. These retail earnings reports offer a fascinating glimpse into how Americans are spending their money, what they value, and how the very act of shopping is changing. For many of us, understanding these trends can […]

5 Sectors Hiring Fast Despite Economic Uncertainty

A person stands confidently in a modern office space, surrounded by diverse colleagues working on various tasks.

Navigating today’s economic landscape can sometimes feel like sailing in choppy waters. Many of us hear discussions about economic uncertainty, and it’s natural to wonder about its impact on the job market. It’s a common concern, and one that many people, regardless of their career stage, are thinking about. However, even in shifting times, opportunities […]

How to Spot and Eliminate “Money Leaks” in Your Budget

A person sits at a table, surrounded by organized financial documents, a calculator, and a notebook, thoughtfully reviewing their expenses.

Welcome! Many of us work hard our whole lives, and when we reach a certain stage, we want to enjoy the fruits of our labor without unnecessary financial stress. Whether you’re living on a fixed income, planning for future adventures, or simply want to make your money go further, understanding where every dollar goes is […]

The Best Tools for Comparing Prices and Avoiding Overpaying

A person uses a laptop and smartphone to compare prices from different online retailers.

Introduction: Take Control of Your Spending and Save Money Welcome! We all work hard for our money, and it’s only natural to want to make sure we’re getting the best possible value when we shop. In today’s world, especially with so much shopping happening online, prices can change quickly and vary widely from one seller […]