A Money Issue

Hi friend,

With all the political and financial chaos of the past few weeks, you’d be forgiven for overlooking what, in simpler times, would have been a major story.

We’re talking about how, on Monday at 9:30am ET time, six women – aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe; entrepreneur and activist Amanda Nguyễn; producer Kerianne Flynn; helicopter pilot/Jeff Bezos’s fiancé Lauren Sánchez; Katy Perry (needs no introduction); and an absolutely terrified Gayle King – will be briefly blasted into space on a Blue Origin rocket. It will be Blue Origin’s 11th flight with humans on board and the first all-female space flight since 1963.

If anyone wants to abandon ship, ABC reports, they can do so minutes before blast off. “[There are] two important phrases to use if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable and want to get out of the flight…those two phrases are ‘time-out’ and ‘I will not fly.’"

The six women front the latest issue of Elle, which, tonally, feels ripped from the haze of the aughts female “empowerment” moment, right down to its cover line of “For All Womenkind.” This quote, from Perry, gives you a sense of it. “Space is going to finally be glam. Let me tell you something. If I could take glam up with me, I would do that. We are going to put the ‘ass’ in astronaut.” Time-out! Time-out!

The cognitive dissonance of this event, at this time, was captured perhaps most aptly in an unexpectedly honest reaction from Olivia Munn on a segment of TODAY With Jenna & Friends of all places. Munn seems downright befuddled. As she said, “I know this is probably obnoxious but..it’s so much money to go to space. There’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs.”

Speaking of money: back here on earth, it’s still a pressing concern. Particularly for our writer, who this week shares the experience of trying to take care of aging parents while worrying about their social security and Medicaid. Read on for that, plus a few recommendations for your weekend.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

Last year, I moved closer to my parents to make it easier for me to check in on them. My dad, 81, is increasingly showing signs of senility and my mom, 78, sometimes has arthritis pain so severe that when the weather is unfavorable she can barely get out of bed. As their only child and sole eldercare provider, I’ve always known the day would come for me to step up and help. I just didn’t know that day would come at the beginning of 2025 and last for three months and counting during a season of seismic governmental upheaval.

One morning in early January, dad and I took mom to see her primary care physician because she hadn’t been eating, was unable to stand on her own, and we both were worried. When the doctor told us – three minutes into the examination – to take mom to the hospital immediately, I admit I was taken aback. But I also knew what I had to do. With his level of memory loss, dad could not be responsible for tracking what was happening, so I took over. I’m good in emergencies – clear-minded, focused, and always ready to advocate for the best care for my family. 

Once we got mom to the hospital, a team of emergency room doctors went to work and, after a few hours, decided it would be best to admit my mom for further observation. She stayed at the hospital for 10 days as various doctors tried to understand why she had no appetite and how her weakened state was affecting the rest of her body. 

Sure, I wanted her to have the best care, and I am thankful my parents retired with good health insurance and Medicare benefits. But I couldn’t help but worry about how much this would cost. I showed up all day, every day to make sure that A) everyone knew I was keeping tabs on the medical team assigned to take care of her; B) grill the doctors about what tests they’d ordered and why so that nothing unnecessary would be added on; C) clock how many times each doctor from each discipline – attending doctor, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology – showed up and why, and to hear their findings firsthand; and D) let folks know that my mom has loved ones that will raise holy hell if she doesn’t get the attention she deserves, so don’t try us.

This meant bringing my laptop to her hospital room and hoping the in-room Wi-Fi wouldn’t go haywire as I tried to fulfill my daily work assignments. (It often did.) It meant staying with my dad at their house to grocery shop, cook meals, pay bills, and help care for him, too. My friends who’ve already experienced this type of family health emergency were unbelievably generous with their time, letting me call day or night for advice, and offering me a shoulder to cry on — and even their guest room — so I could take a short break when it all felt too overwhelming to handle. 

While the not-knowing was endlessly frustrating, I had to be patient with the doctors and nurses. When the treatment team tried to circumvent my questions, I insisted they come to my mom’s room to talk to us in person, or at least call my cell each day to keep me informed. I could tell I was working everyone’s last nerve, but ask me if I cared.

If you are a runner – or are considering becoming one – there is a sneaker built for you. It’s Hoka, which was founded in 2009 to give runners the best experience while providing crucial cushioning and stability. Now they’re one of the most popular shoes for runners, and they can be quite pricey. This site has done the work to find the best deals on Hoka; click here for their list of the stores to hit up. #partner

TO STREAM Your Friends & Neighbors (on Apple TV+) is Jon Hamm’s return to prestige TV. In the show, he plays a fired hedge fund manager who uses his suaveness and swagger as cover for the fact that he’s become a petty thief who steals from his rich neighbors. 

TO TRY If you’re feeling confused, ashamed, or fearful about money, you’re not alone — and you’re not the problem. Finances for Feminists offers personal finance coaching for individuals and couples who’ve felt left out of the traditional money conversation. And let’s be real: that’s most of us. Finances for Feminists can help you change your relationship with money and take charge of your financial future — in a judgment-free space with guidance, accountability, and support. Book a free consultation — mention GLORIA for 10 percent off! #partner

TO LISTEN We have Bon Iver’s soothing new album, SABLE, fABLE, on repeat this week. It’s so peaceful.

“Pulled over at the border.” • Checking on LVMH’s effort to make Louis Vuitton bags in Texas. • The one woman in fashion who isn’t afraid to be a mean girl. • A new study finds that women are still very much at risk post-birth, from six weeks to up to a year after. • Gen X women are given a new body issue to worry about.

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