Investing & Credit Specialist
Sarah Mitchell covers investing, credit scoring, and debt payoff strategy for WealthWire Daily. She focuses on the intersection of behavior and money: building the habits that make long-term investing and debt payoff actually stick.
Coverage Areas
The minimum credit score to buy a house depends on the loan type - and the gap between 'good enough to qualify' and 'good enough for the best rate' can cost you tens of thousands over the life of a mortgage. Here's exactly what each loan type requires and what your score is actually worth.
Both pay more than a regular savings account, both are safe, and both are FDIC insured. So what's actually different between a high-yield savings account and a money market account - and which one belongs in your financial plan?
The New York Fed says credit card balances dipped in Q1 2026 while serious delinquency flows stayed elevated. Here is how to read the signal and protect your credit.
The Federal Reserve's May 2026 Financial Stability Report flagged elevated asset valuations and private-credit risks. Here is what long-term investors should do and avoid.
The University of Michigan's preliminary May survey shows consumers still worried about prices, gasoline, tariffs, and real income. Here is how to turn that warning into a practical household budget plan.
The New York Fed's Q1 household debt report shows auto loan balances rising again while serious delinquency flows remain elevated. Here is how to stress-test your car payment before it crowds out the rest of your budget.
Cisco reported record quarterly revenue and raised AI infrastructure expectations. Here is how long-term investors can evaluate the stock without getting pulled into headline chasing.
April retail sales rose, but higher prices may be doing part of the work. Here is how households can tell real spending strength from budget strain.
Federal Reserve data shows revolving credit accelerated in March while card APRs remain high. Use this plan before travel, repairs, and back-to-school costs land on a balance.
New York Fed data shows student loan delinquencies have returned to pre-pandemic territory. Here is how to check your status, protect your credit, and avoid collections surprises.
With delinquencies and defaulted loans back in the headlines, more Americans may hear from collectors. Here is how to verify a debt, avoid scams, and protect your paycheck and credit.
New federal student loan caps are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, affecting Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS, and graduate borrowing. Here is what families should review before choosing a college or graduate program.
The Federal Reserve's latest bank lending survey shows caution in parts of the credit market and weaker demand for several consumer loans. Here is how borrowers should prepare before applying.
Federal student loan rates for new loans reset each July. Here is what students, parents, and borrowers should know before borrowing for the 2026-27 school year.
Banks say homeowners are showing stronger demand for home equity lines of credit while mortgage rates remain above 6%. Here is when a HELOC can help, when it can backfire, and how to compare the payment risk.
Auto loan rates are still high, and the amount financed on new cars remains painful for many households. Here is how to shop the loan, protect your credit, and avoid a car payment that wrecks your budget.
The Federal Reserve held rates at 3.50% to 3.75% in April, but credit card borrowers are still facing APRs above 20%. Here is what the pause means for your debt payoff plan.
Intel reported Q1 2026 earnings that crushed Wall Street estimates - $0.29 EPS on $13.6 billion in revenue, versus analyst expectations of $0.01 EPS. The stock jumped 25% in a single session. Here's what happened, what changed, and whether INTC still makes sense in a portfolio.
Spirit Airlines continues its turbulent journey on the stock market. With recent developments pointing toward an uncertain future, what should investors do?
TSLA stock is trending hard this week. We break down the latest news, the long-term outlook, and whether everyday investors should buy or sell.
Apple just announced its biggest leadership change in 15 years. Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO, and hardware chief John Ternus takes over September 1. Here's how history says markets handle CEO transitions at mega-cap companies - and what investors should actually do.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is one of the most searched investment products in the country right now. With a 3.45% yield, 14 years of consecutive dividend growth, and a 0.06% expense ratio, here's what makes SCHD different - and whether it belongs in your portfolio.
The Roth IRA is the most underused retirement account available to most Americans. You contribute after-tax dollars, your investments grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely untaxed. Here's how to start.
Zero-based budgeting assigns every dollar of your income a specific job before the month starts. It's the most precise budgeting method available, and in a high-cost environment, precision is exactly what's needed.
The 50/30/20 rule divides your take-home pay into needs, wants, and savings. Here's how to apply it to your real life in 2026, even when the numbers don't add up perfectly.
You don't need to be rich to invest. Here's how index funds work, why Warren Buffett recommends them over actively managed funds, and how to buy your first shares today with as little as $500.
After three straight years of double-digit gains, the S&P 500 has pulled back in 2026. Before you change anything in your retirement account, read this - history is very clear about what actually works.
Total US credit card debt just hit a record $1.28 trillion, with the average cardholder carrying a balance at 22% APR. Here's how to tell if your credit card habits are building wealth or destroying it - and what to do either way.
A 100-point credit score improvement is achievable in 6 to 12 months for most Americans with damaged credit. Here's the exact sequence of moves that move the needle - and the common mistakes that actually make things worse.