There’s a ton of advice out there on how to make more money and cut your expenses so you can “get rich.” Not all advice is good advice, though. That’s why personal finance influencer Ramit Sethi recently shared a YouTube video all about the advice you should avoid while pursuing your financial goals. Here are his thoughts. 1. Focusing on Extreme Frugality It’s tempting to try to reduce every little expense as much as possible to save money and grow your wealth. Sethi argued that’s a mistake. Putting to ...

Although the rate of inflation has cooled since its peak in the summer of 2022, prices for basic goods and services have continued to rise. These cost-of-living increases are pinching the wallets of everyday Americans, with many fearing their money goals for 2026 will be derailed. In fact, the most recent Harris Poll data published by the Journal of Accountancy shows that fully half of Americans with financial goals this year fall into this category. The rising costs of housing, groceries and utilities, a ...

Truckload carrier Heartland Express reported another net loss on Tuesday, but again logged sequential operating improvement. The North Liberty, Iowa-based company reported a headline net loss of $19.4 million, or 25 cents per share. However, the result included a $19 million impairment charge associated with its decision to integrate and rebrand the Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI) fleet, which it acquired in 2022. Backing out the one-time charge moves the adjusted EPS line closer to a 6-cent loss, 2 cents ...

Core Insights - Consumers waste an average of nearly $2,000 annually on impulse purchases, which could be redirected towards financial goals like debt repayment or building an emergency fund [1][2] Spending Categories - **Unnecessary Subscriptions**: Many consumers have multiple subscriptions that may not be essential. Evaluating and cutting down on these services, especially food delivery and streaming, can lead to significant savings [3] - **Dining Out and Fast Food**: The rising costs of dining out, exacerbated by inflation, frustrate over 53% of consumers. Preparing meals at home can be a cost-effective alternative [4] - **Paying Credit Card Interest**: High interest on credit card debt can trap consumers in a cycle of debt. It is advisable to minimize expenses or find additional income sources to pay off debts quickly [5] - **Cell Phone Plans**: The average monthly cell phone bill in the U.S. is $141, totaling over $1,000 annually. Researching cheaper plans, particularly from smaller carriers, can yield savings [6] - **Gambling**: Small gambling expenditures, such as lottery tickets, are discouraged as they do not provide good value for money. Investing these funds is recommended instead [7]

Market Trends & Concerns - Political climate surpasses traditional economic concerns as top issue for Americans when discussing finances with advisors [2] - Half of financial advisors' clients mentioned the political environment when discussing financial goals, exceeding concerns about inflation, market volatility, national economy, and rising healthcare costs [3] - Client emotions regarding 2026 are complex, with optimism, confidence, caution, uncertainty, and anxiety all present [3] Investment Strategies & Outlook - Clients are more likely to increase their investment levels in the coming year [4] - Financial advisors emphasize focusing on policies, not politics, and discussing goals with loved ones and financial professionals [4]

Core Insights - Self-improvement is a priority for many Americans as 2026 approaches, with 42% planning to set New Year's resolutions and expecting to spend an average of $4,700 to achieve their goals [1][3] - Financial resolutions are a major focus, with 55% of those making resolutions committed to budgeting, saving, investing, paying off debt, or building credit [1][5] Spending Patterns - Men plan to spend more than women on resolutions, averaging $5,360 compared to $4,000, with men aged 35-54 being the highest spenders at over $6,000 [3] - The most expensive category of resolutions is personal-life resolutions, with an average budget of $3,047, including $1,251 for travel and $768 for meals and entertainment [4] Gender Differences in Financial Goals - 73% of both men and women prioritize financial goals, but men are more likely to engage in investing (55% vs. 37%), improving credit scores (49% vs. 35%), and contributing to retirement plans (39% vs. 26%) [5][6] - Women are more inclined to reduce spending (65% vs. 55%) and take on additional work (46% vs. 42%) to achieve their financial goals [7] Saving Goals - 81% of Americans are saving with specific goals in mind for 2026, with travel being the most popular goal (40%), followed by purchasing a car (25%) and buying a house (21%) [8] - CIT Bank offers tools for customers to create savings buckets for different goals, enhancing the ability to visualize and connect emotionally with saving [9]

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Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley maintains an Underweight rating on Western Union Co. with a price target of $7, highlighting elevated execution risks despite clear medium-term financial targets [1] Financial Goals - Western Union aims for a compound annual revenue growth rate of 7%, or 3% excluding the Intermex acquisition, targeting total revenue between $4.8 billion and $5.3 billion by 2028 [2] - Adjusted earnings per share are projected to reach $2.30, indicating an 11% compound annual growth rate [2] Revenue Projections - Digital payments revenue is expected to grow organically by 8%, reaching up to $1.5 billion, while retail revenue is forecasted to decline by 4% to approximately $2.2 billion, excluding Intermex [3] - Consumer services are anticipated to expand the fastest, with a projected annual growth rate of 20%, potentially reaching up to $1 billion [3] Cash Flow and Cost Efficiencies - Management expects to generate $1.7 billion in free cash flow over the next three years, aided by $150 million in cost efficiencies [4] - However, achieving these financial goals may be challenging due to declining retail volumes in North America and competitive pressures in key U.S.–Latin America corridors [4] Integration and Growth Risks - Risks are associated with integrating Intermex and replicating the European turnaround strategy in North America, with forecasts indicating only 1% revenue growth excluding Intermex between 2025 and 2027 [4]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of evaluating financial goals and making strategic financial decisions in the final months of 2025, particularly for those relying on Social Security checks [1][3][4] Financial Goals Assessment - Approximately 67% of seniors depend on Social Security for at least half of their income, making it crucial to assess financial performance as the year ends [3] - The last quarter is identified as a key time for individuals to evaluate their financial goals and progress [3] Economic Context - Economic uncertainties and tariffs have contributed to financial challenges for many, especially those dependent on Social Security [4] Holiday Planning - Utilizing Social Security funds to create a holiday budget is recommended to avoid debt during the holiday season [5] - A survey indicates that 78% of Americans plan to reduce holiday spending due to economic factors, while 47% anticipate incurring holiday debt [5] Debt Management - Using Social Security checks to settle debts, such as credit card balances, is advised to start the new year with improved financial stability [6] - AARP reports that 52% of adults aged 50 to 64 carry credit card debt, with significant portions of older adults also affected [6]

Investment Portfolio Management - Fidelity provides tools to track portfolio performance and financial goals [1] - The platform allows users to monitor accounts, check balances and returns, and review asset mix [1] - Key insights are available on both desktop and the Fidelity mobile app to understand financial picture [1] Fidelity Resources and Services - Fidelity offers resources for evaluating investments and performance [1] - Users can open a brokerage account at Fidelity [1] - Fidelity encourages users to ask questions in the comments section [1] Fidelity Social Media Presence - Fidelity maintains an active presence on various social media platforms including YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Discord [1]