HerMoney with Jean Chatzky Single, Self-Sufficient & Paying More? How to Beat the Singles Tax
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Feb 13, 2026 Renée Sylvestre-Williams, finance journalist and author of The Singles Tax, guides solo earners through money moves that matter. She breaks down where the singles tax hits hardest. She covers renting vs buying, insurance and emergency funds, tax-smart retirement moves, and how to build a financial team.
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Pandemic Prompted Her Focus On Singles
- During the 2020 pandemic Renée worried about losing income and ran scenarios about credit, savings, and lines of credit.
- That worry sparked her reporting and focus on financial questions for solo earners.
Decide Why You Want To Buy
- Before buying, clarify why you want to own and factor in HOA, repairs, and unexpected replacement costs.
- Don’t treat buying as a checklist item; work back from what housing costs you can realistically absorb.
Buy If Rent Risk Threatens Security
- If rent insecurity worries you, buying can reduce housing anxiety despite costs.
- Evaluate local rent controls and personal stability before deciding to buy.
