Valued at a market cap of $66.7 billion, Aon plc (AON) provides a range of risk and human capital solutions. The Dublin, Ireland-based company helps clients navigate uncertainty through data-driven insights and advisory services. This financial company has considerably lagged behind the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of AON have declined 17.6% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has soared 14.4%. Moreover, on a YTD basis, the stock is down 9.9%, compared to SPX’s 1. ...

Hunter, a newlywed husband from Cincinnati, called into The Ramsey Show seeking advice on knocking out debt as a couple. He explained that while he personally had no debt, his wife had student loans and a car payment. To limit their expenses, they live with their respective parents in different states, seeing each other only on weekends. Their thinking was simple: survive as “weekend warriors” while they eliminate the debt, then move in together and work towards buying a home. Must Read But that plan d ...

Core Insights - Payday loans are characterized by high fees, often exceeding 400%, with payday lenders collecting $2.4 billion in fees in a single year according to a 2025 report [1] Group 1: Costs and Risks of Payday Loans - Payday loans come with significant fees, typically ranging from $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed, leading to high overall costs if loans are rolled over [4] - A report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) indicates that 80% of payday loans are rolled over or renewed, resulting in borrowers often owing as much or more than the original amount borrowed [5][14] Group 2: Alternatives to Payday Loans - Debt consolidation loans can be used to pay off high-interest payday loans, allowing borrowers to repay the new loan at a fixed interest rate over time [6] - Payday alternative loans (PALs) offered by federal credit unions provide a lower interest rate cap of 28%, with loan amounts up to $2,000 and terms ranging from one to 12 months [9] - Extended payment plans may allow borrowers to pay off payday loans with smaller payments over a longer period, although these plans are underutilized [14] - Credit counseling services can assist borrowers in managing their debt and creating repayment plans, although payday lenders may not cooperate with credit counselors [16] - Debt settlement could be an option for those unable to pay down their payday loans, potentially reducing the overall debt owed [20]

Core Insights - The company is reiterating its volume guidance for 2026, expecting growth in volumes consistent with historical seasonal expectations, with revenues approximately 95% protected by minimum volume commitments (MVCs) [1][13] - For 2026, the company anticipates lower volumes due to severe winter weather and normal contingencies, but expects adjusted EBITDA growth of 12% over 2025 at the midpoint [2][6] - The capital expenditure is projected to decrease significantly, with a target of approximately $150 million for 2026, a 40% reduction from 2025 [4][31] Financial Performance - In 2025, the company reported a net income of approximately $685 million and adjusted EBITDA of $1.238 billion, reflecting a 9% growth from 2024 [7] - For the fourth quarter of 2025, net income was $168 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $309 million, showing a decrease from the previous quarter due to severe winter weather [8][10] - The company expects net income for 2026 to be between $150 million and $160 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at approximately $295 million to $305 million [11][13] Capital Expenditure and Cash Flow - The company plans to reduce capital spending further in 2027 and 2028 to less than $75 million per year, leveraging historical investments to drive significant free cash flow generation [3][5] - Adjusted free cash flow for 2026 is expected to be between $850 million and $900 million, with excess cash flow projected at approximately $210 million after funding targeted distribution growth [14][6] - The company aims for a gross adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 75% in 2026, with total expected capital expenditures of around $150 million [13][14] Revenue and Rate Structure - Approximately 85% of the company's revenues are fixed fee, with rates increasing annually based on an inflation escalator capped at 3% [12] - The company continues to reset rates through an annual rate redetermination process, with expectations for higher tariff rates in 2026 compared to 2025 [12][13] - The company maintains a strong MVC position, with 95% revenue protection in 2026 and 90% in 2027, providing a buffer against volume fluctuations [40][29]

Core Insights - Paying off debt and avoiding new debt is essential for building a solid financial foundation that allows for greater flexibility in the future [1] - Setting a grand goal for debt repayment can motivate individuals to be more aggressive in their efforts to reduce debt [1] Group 1: Understanding Debt - Knowing the total amount of debt, such as $30,000, is the first step toward achieving financial goals [2] - Breaking down the debt into manageable monthly payments, like $2,500 per month, is crucial for planning [3] Group 2: Budgeting and Financial Management - Creating a budget and monitoring monthly spending can empower individuals to make informed financial decisions [3] - Adjustments to lifestyle, such as cutting expenses or taking on side jobs, may be necessary to meet monthly debt payments [3] Group 3: Debt Repayment Strategies - Choosing the right debt repayment method can significantly impact the speed of becoming debt-free and maintaining motivation [4] - The avalanche method focuses on paying off high-interest debts first, while the snowball method targets the smallest balances to build momentum [5] - Combining extra payments with additional income sources, such as side hustles or bonuses, can accelerate debt repayment [5]

There are still trends playing in its favor in 2026.Carnival Corp. (CCL 3.63%) stock beat the S&P 500 last year, although not by a wide margin; 23% to 18%. I anticipated this market beat for a number of reasons. The company had a lot to gain from shrinking interest rates, it had been reporting record sales, profits were increasing, and the stock price was low.Although the stock did come out on top of the market, investors have still been cautious with it. The company still has high debt, and it isn't clear ...

If you have your retirement savings in a traditional account, as opposed to a Roth, you should know that you can't leave your money sitting there forever. At either age 73 or 75, depending on your year of birth, the IRS is going to start mandating that you take yearly withdrawals known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs. RMDs can be a pain if you don't have an obvious use for the money, since they count as taxable income. But rather than let your 2026 RMD be a source of aggravation, it pays to fi ...

Debt is like a collar around your neck that can drag you down physically, emotionally and financially. Your first priority when you’re saddled with debt should be to dig your way out. To that end, Jade Warshaw, money expert with Ramsey Solutions, shared a TikTok video where she emphasized taking any job to pay off your debt isn’t just acceptable; it can actually be the smartest move you can make. Here’s why — and why you shouldn’t wait for the “perfect” job to come along in order to pay down your debt. ...

Core Insights - A Nashville man, Steve, is seeking financial guidance due to significant debt and modest income, highlighting the challenges faced by many households in similar situations [1][2]. Debt and Income Overview - Steve and his wife have a total debt of $434,368, which includes a $268,000 mortgage and $166,000 in non-mortgage obligations such as car loans and credit card balances [2]. - Their total household income is approximately $147,000 before taxes, with Steve earning about $80,000 from his job and $37,000 from a side business, while his wife contributes around $30,000 [3]. Financial Pressure and Lifestyle Choices - Steve feels overextended financially, particularly due to high car payments totaling $1,752 per month, which significantly impacts their ability to save for retirement [3][4]. - The hosts emphasized that the couple's expensive vehicles, valued at around $80,000 combined, are detrimental to their financial health and retirement planning [4]. Recommended Actions - The hosts advised Steve to sell his high-value cars and opt for cheaper used vehicles, focusing on aggressively paying down debt using the snowball method before prioritizing retirement savings [5]. - The discussion underscores the importance of financial planning and the potential benefits of working with a financial advisor for households with substantial income but facing lifestyle-related financial challenges [6].

Core Insights - The financial situation of the caller, Darryl, is described as a "logjam," with all income being allocated to debt repayment, leaving no room for meaningful progress [2] - Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey emphasizes the need for a radical approach to resolve the financial mess, suggesting that short-term discomfort is necessary for long-term peace of mind [3] Debt Breakdown - Darryl and his fiancée have a total debt exceeding $96,000, which includes a $27,000 car loan, $35,000 in student loans, $7,000 in his fiancée's student loans, $20,000 in 401(k) loans, and significant credit card debt [1] - Their combined annual income is reported at $67,000 [1] Recommended Actions - Ramsey advises selling the $27,000 car immediately, suggesting that owning an expensive vehicle while in debt is detrimental [3] - He recommends cutting discretionary spending, such as dining out and vacations, until the debt is fully paid off [3] - Ramsey believes that with increased income and a focused strategy, it is possible for Darryl to become completely debt-free within three years, although it will be a challenging period [4]