Your financial success often boils down to the brass tacks of your money management style. How do your habits define you when it comes to spending, saving, investing and retirement planning? Be Aware: Key Signs Your Credit Card Is Quietly Wrecking Your Finances Up Next: Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy Money expert Suze Orman knows about the common pitfalls that can jeopardize the stability of your personal finances. Her insights delve into ...

We recently published 10 Stocks Wall Street is Watching Heading into October. Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is one of the stocks Wall Street is watching. Stephanie Link, Hightower Advisors’ chief investment strategist and portfolio manager, said in a recent program on CNBC that she bought Capital One because of the company’s “game changer” acquisition of Discover. She also believes the stock is “very cheap.” Capital One has a dividend yield of about 1%. “I recently bought this about a mont ...

When her husband Marcus died of a heart attack at 39, Elena was left with more than grief. The Seattle schoolteacher was suddenly a single mom with two small kids. She was also saddled with massive debt, including a $340,000 mortgage, a joint home-equity line of credit (HELOC) with a $50,000 balance and a shared credit card with $20,000 outstanding. Must Read Marcus, an impulse buyer, had also accumulated $70,000 of his own consumer debt and taken out an additional $10,000 private loan that Elena had ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the differences between Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and credit cards, emphasizing their respective advantages and disadvantages for consumers seeking to finance large purchases or manage emergency expenses. Group 1: HELOCs - HELOCs typically offer lower interest rates compared to credit cards, with the average HELOC rate around 8% versus an average credit card interest rate of 22.25% as of May 2025 [4] - Borrowing limits for HELOCs can be significantly higher, ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on home equity, while credit card limits are usually capped at tens of thousands of dollars [10][23] - HELOCs require homeowners to have 15% to 20% equity in their home and involve a draw period of about 10 years followed by a repayment period of typically 20 years [8] Group 2: Credit Cards - Credit cards are generally unsecured, meaning they do not require collateral, thus reducing the risk of foreclosure compared to HELOCs [13][14] - Many credit cards offer 0% APR introductory periods, allowing consumers to transfer existing debt without interest for a limited time, which can be beneficial for debt management [15][16] - Credit cards provide immediate access to funds, with approval often granted within a few business days, unlike HELOCs which can take longer to process [20][21] Group 3: Tax Implications - Interest paid on HELOCs may be tax-deductible if the funds are used for home improvements, provided the taxpayer itemizes deductions [11] - The current rule allowing tax deductions for HELOC interest used for home improvements is set to expire after the 2025 tax year unless renewed [12] Group 4: Financial Flexibility - HELOCs can offer more financial flexibility with potentially lower interest rates and higher credit limits, but they come with the risk of losing one's home if payments are not made [13] - Credit cards can earn rewards on purchases, providing additional financial benefits that HELOCs do not typically offer [18][19] Group 5: Usage Considerations - HELOCs are often better suited for larger, planned expenses, while credit cards are more appropriate for smaller, immediate purchases that can be paid off in full each month [31] - The choice between a HELOC and a credit card should consider the amount needed, the urgency of access to funds, and the interest costs associated with each option [31][32]

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Entering the final quarter of the year, executives in the payments and fintech industries may be looking ahead to the networking and learning opportunities to come in 2026.  Trade shows, conferences and industry events offer professionals “a chance to step back from day-to-day demands, see what’s ahead for the industry, and exchange ideas that help shape strategy f ...

Core Viewpoint - Morning Star identifies three overvalued stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio that investors should avoid as of mid-September [2]. Group 1: Overvalued Stocks - The most overvalued stock is Jeffre Financial Group, which constitutes less than 1% of Berkshire's portfolio. Morning Star believes the stock is worth $47, but it trades significantly above this value [3][4]. - Louisiana Pacific is the second stock to avoid, with Berkshire owning about 8% of its shares. Morning Star values this stock at $70, indicating it is overpriced despite being a major player in the North American wood products market [5][6]. - American Express, Berkshire's second-largest holding with over 20% ownership, is also deemed overvalued. Morning Star estimates its worth at $265 per share, despite recognizing its strong economic moat and financial position [7][8].

Group 1 - A friend is considering booking their first trip and is exploring options for credit cards to purchase flights [1] - They are contemplating buying Air Canada Giftcards at a 10% discount or obtaining a credit card with perks [1] - The intention is not to make frequent trips, but to save money on this occasion [1]

In this episode, Emily interviews Snehanjana Chatterjee, a 3rd-year international graduate student at Texas Tech. Snehanjana recounts her financial journey over the past few years, from how she funded her start-up expenses upon moving to the US to how she’s gained scholarships and awards to increase her income. Snehanjana volunteers to help international students acclimate to the US, and she shares some of their concerns and questions. Finally, Snehanjana asks Emily about banking and investing as an interna ...

Financial Situation - A single mother in Los Angeles earns $142,000 annually and is considering bankruptcy due to approximately $100,000 in credit card debt, a $4,800 mortgage, and a $125,000 home-equity line for a guesthouse [1] - Her monthly take-home pay is about $9,000, with over half allocated to her mortgage, which does not cover the $1,100 payment on her home-equity loan [2] - The property is valued at nearly $1 million, but she owes about $650,000, having initially put down only 3% and later refinancing, which increased her interest rate [3] Expert Advice - Co-host George Kamel suggests that the caller is focused on the wrong fear, emphasizing the urgency of her financial situation with a quarter-million dollars in debt [4] - Kamel recommends selling the property before considering bankruptcy, as this could eliminate her mortgage, credit card debt, home-equity line, and student loans, leaving her debt-free with cash [5] Rental Income Concerns - The caller hopes to generate $2,500 monthly from a newly built guesthouse once permits are approved, but expresses concerns about safety and potential squatters [6] - Kamel and co-host Jade Warshaw question the feasibility of this plan, noting that even with a net profit of $1,000 per month, it would take about 10 years to recoup the $125,000 spent on construction while still managing existing mortgage and loan payments [7]

Core Insights - Credit card delinquency is a significant issue that affects cardholders' ability to secure future loans and credit [1][3] - The recent surge in credit card delinquencies in India indicates broader economic stress, with a 44% year-on-year increase, reaching ₹33,886 crore as of March 2025 [6] Group 1: Impact on Cardholders - Missing credit card payments leads to delinquency reports to credit bureaus, which can severely lower credit scores and borrowing credibility [3][4] - Continuous missed payments can escalate to defaults, resulting in legal complications and long-term damage to credit profiles [4] - Unpaid credit card bills and loans attract high interest rates, compounding the debt and making repayment more challenging [5] Group 2: Economic Implications - The rise in credit card delinquency reflects an over-reliance on debt for daily needs, prompting banks to tighten credit lending norms [6][7] - The government emphasizes responsible repayment and good financial habits to maintain a stable and accessible credit system [7] Group 3: Strategies for Management - Establishing a monthly budget and setting up automatic payments can help manage expenses and avoid missed payments [10] - Prioritizing the repayment of high-interest debts and maintaining communication with credit card issuers are essential for managing delinquency [10][11] - Avoiding further credit card spending until existing dues are cleared can prevent deepening the debt cycle [10]