Charlotte Cowles Author Archive
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Charlotte Cowles

Columnist, the Cut
See all their articles from across New York Magazine
@charlottecowles
@charlottecowles

Charlotte Cowles is the Cut’s financial-advice columnist. In addition to “My Two Cents,” which she has written since 2016, she writes about work and parenting for the site. Previously, she was the senior features editor at Harper’s Bazaar and a senior editor at the Cut. She was also the editorial director for MM.LaFleur. Her work has been published in Glamour, Art in America, Politico, and other places.

  1. advice
    How Not to Make It Worse When a Co-worker Has a Mysterious IllnessSometimes the best thing you can do is provide some normalcy.
  2. my two cents
    What If Spending Money Felt … Good?Ramit Sethi wants you to stop feeling bad about your finances.
  3. advice
    How Not to Make It Worse When Someone Is Having a Panic AttackYou can’t stop it, but you can provide comfort.
  4. my two cents
    ‘How Can I Afford to Pay $8,000 for Bachelorette Parties?’Remember, this period in your life is finite.
  5. advice
    How Not to Make It Worse When a Friend Gets Too Much BotoxYour first reaction cannot be “yikes.”
  6. my two cents
    ‘I’m 8 Months Pregnant and I Just Got Laid Off’Rally your support system. This is what it’s for.
  7. how i get it done
    How Designer and Artist (and New Mom) Sarah Nsikak Gets It Done“Guilt isn’t going to help me be there for my daughter more. If she’s with the right person, she is fine, and I should feel good about that.”
  8. my two cents
    Why You (Probably) Shouldn’t Get a PrenupAdvice from a prenup expert who thinks most couples should steer clear.
  9. my two cents
    ‘Do I Need to Pay My Husband Back for My Medical Bills?’You don’t owe him money. But you do need to acknowledge that you made some mistakes.
  10. my two cents
    ‘What Happens If I Just Don’t Pay My Taxes?’It’s bad, but not THAT bad.
  11. my two cents
    The Only (Sort of) Fun Thing About TaxesYes, you can write those drinks off your taxes! (Sometimes.)
  12. my two cents
    ‘I Inherited Millions From My Mother, and Everyone Knows’Most people probably aren’t thinking about your money — they just want to be there for you as you grieve.
  13. my two cents
    ‘My Boyfriend Sucks at Gifts’It’s time to bring this up with him more directly. But remember — gifts are supposed to be fun.
  14. encounter
    The Decision-MakerFor $197 an hour, Nell Wulfhart will tell you what your therapist won’t.
  15. money talks
    The Matchmaker Who Doesn’t (Always) Work With Millionaires“I want to work with all sorts of people, not just wealthy ones.”
  16. money talks
    ‘People Can Do Everything Right and Still Be Broke‘Dasha Kennedy creates safe spaces for women left behind by traditional financial advice.
  17. my two cents
    ‘Saving Money Is Ruining My Social Life’Don’t lecture your friends on their finances. If they want to change, they will.
  18. my two cents
    ‘Do I Need to Attend All of My Boyfriend’s Friends’ Weddings?’Start by examining your priorities.
  19. my two cents
    ‘Why Am I So Bad With Money?’Forget the big picture. You need to take small concrete steps.
  20. my two cents
    How to Deal With ‘Inflation Creep’The sneaky, maddening phenomenon of not being able to afford your life anymore.
  21. my two cents
    A Late Person’s Guide to Being on TimeBecause running late gets expensive.
  22. my two cents
    Is a ‘Money Diet’ As Terrible As It Sounds?Here’s how to cut back on spending without depriving yourself.
  23. my two cents
    How to Donate Money Even If You Don’t Have a Lot to GiveFive steps to effective giving.
  24. my two cents
    ‘How Do I Get Through the Holidays When I’m Already Broke?’You can still enjoy yourself! You just need a plan.
  25. my two cents
    How Can I Offer My Brother Money Without Insulting Him?Be honest and clear, and make sure he feels heard.
  26. my two cents
    How to Buy the Best Gifts With Less Money and TimeIt’s simple: Ask people what they want.
  27. my two cents
    ‘Do I Need to Buy Gifts for My Boyfriend’s Family?’Not necessarily, but it’s a good idea to rethink your gifting plans in general.
  28. money talks
    What It Takes to Run a Day-Care Center“I’m absolutely exhausted. I don’t know anyone who works in child care who isn’t.”
  29. money talks
    ‘I Regret Letting My Dad Pay for My Wedding’Talking with a bride-to-be who wishes she’d never cashed the check.
  30. my two cents
    ‘Do I Need to Pay for My New Stepkids’ Stuff?’They shouldn’t feel like an obligation. Here’s how to be supportive in a way that feels fair.
  31. how i get it done
    Katy Perry Cures Her Hangovers With MeditationHow the multiplatinum pop star gets it done.
  32. my two cents
    ‘Should I Sell My House and Move Back to New York?’It’s time to step back and research your options before you make another move.
  33. my two cents
    ‘What’s the Best Way to Split Expenses With My Partner?’Now that you’ve figured out which costs to share, it’s time to find a budgeting system that works for both of you.
  34. my two cents
    ‘I’m a New Parent and Our Finances Are a Mess’You need a loose, forgiving plan that helps you feel more in control.
  35. money talks
    3 Women on How Much It Cost to Get Married in 2022“My sense of money got so warped that it stopped being real to me.”
  36. my two cents
    ‘What If I Never Own a Home?’Homeownership isn’t all it’s cracked up to be — especially in this market.
  37. money talks
    ‘What Happened After I Quit’Five women reflect on the financial fallout of their own “Great Resignation,” a year later.
  38. my two cents
    ‘Should I Let My Estranged Dad Pay My Student Loans?’If you can, just take the money and run.
  39. my two cents
    ‘How Do I Tell My Friends About My Six-Figure Inheritance?’To start, ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by telling them.
  40. my two cents
    ‘I’m Finally Making $55K, But I’m Scared It Won’t Last’The best antidote to anxiety is to create a safety net.
  41. my two cents
    ‘I’m Good at Saving, But I’m Still Miserable’Not to oversimplify matters, but what if you thought about money less?
  42. my two cents
    I Know I Should Invest My Money, But It Makes Me AnxiousActually, putting your money in the market is the less risky option in the long-term.
  43. how i get it done
    How Comedian Michelle Buteau Gets It Done“I want to have that Parisian joie-de-vivre bullshit but also the New York hustle.”
  44. my two cents
    My Fiancée Has a Ton of Debt. Should We Do a Prenup?First, make sure you understand what prenups can and cannot do.
  45. my two cents
    What Can We Learn From Recessions Past?Advice for handling the next downturn based on previous ones.
  46. my two cents
    ‘I Can’t Stop Worrying About Money, Even Though I Have Enough’Your anxiety is valid. You just need a plan for dealing with it.
  47. my two cents
    How to Find a Financial AdviserAnd how to know if you really need one.
  48. my two cents
    ‘I’m Retiring From Sex Work With $1 Million. What Next?’Your financial situation may be unusual, but changing careers is not.
  49. my two cents
    ‘How We Paid Off $200,000 in Debt in 5 Years’Julien and Kiersten Saunders wanted more control over their time and their money. Now they want you to follow their lead.
  50. my two cents
    ‘I Inherited Money, But I’m Already Blowing Through It’First, you need to acknowledge that you are the person in control here.
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