Notes from Lanyard's Founders

Finding Your Footing: A Financial Game Plan Amid Uncertainty

Amid the recent headlines, we thought it might be beneficial to take a step back and let out a collective breath.

Between gas prices creeping up, a cooling job market, and a general sense of economic uncertainty, feeling a knot in your stomach about your budget right now is completely normal.

When the macroeconomic weather gets stormy, human nature tells us to panic, freeze, or obsess over the news. But as your personal trainer for your money, we're here to tell you: we don't panic. We pivot.

Here are just a few ideas for protecting your peace of mind and taking back control:

• Control the Controllables You can't control national interest rates or the price of crude oil, but you can control your own ecosystem. Shrink your focus to the next 30 days. If needed, pause unused subscriptions and temporarily re-route discretionary spending to cover the basics.
• Pad the "Sleep Well" Fund If a slower job market is keeping you up at night, make your emergency fund your top priority. Even an extra $50 a week in a high-yield savings account builds a buffer that buys you time — and gets you some extra interest on your money.
• Automate the Heavy Lifting When you're stressed, willpower fades. Let your financial tools automatically track spending and round up savings so you don't have to stare at spreadsheets. (This is exactly why we built Lanyard — to catch slip-ups for you.)
• Give Yourself Grace The economy is weird right now. If a $75 tank of gas throws off your monthly budget, do not beat yourself up. A stumble isn't a failure; it's just data for adjusting the game plan.

What's Next?

We know that navigating these shifts requires more than just a pep talk — it requires a playbook.

We are releasing the April issue of The Lanyard Scouting Report soon. We'll be breaking down complex financial trends into simple, actionable steps so you can play offense as we enter tax season, no matter what the broader economy is doing. You got this and we believe in you!