Ask HTM - Avoiding the Credit Card Burn, Timing a HELOC, & Solar to Retire Sooner #1045
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Oct 6, 2025
This week, financial gurus tackle a variety of listener questions! Discover how to avoid credit card interest with smart autopay strategies. Learn when to secure a HELOC, especially before a potential income drop. They dive into whether investing in solar panels can help you retire earlier, weighing the costs and benefits. Plus, gain insights on how to persuade your parents against a risky loan for HVAC upgrades. Finally, explore affordable cellular options for kids’ smartwatches. An engaging mix of finance and practicality awaits!
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Thrift Stores For Occasional Clothing Wins
Matt and Joel told thrift-store stories about scoring cheap funeral clothes and kids' outfits for a few dollars.
They emphasized thrift stores as smart, frugal sources for seldom-used or rapidly changing clothing needs.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Auto-Pay Statement Balance Is Sufficient
Auto-paying the statement balance prevents interest as long as you pay it in full by the due date.
Keep autopay as a safety net but manually pay or review after big purchases to manage credit utilization and awareness.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Credit Card Won Me A $900 Refund
Joel described a canceled car rental that never refunded him and how his credit card issued a temporary credit.
The credit card protected his cash while they pursued the merchant and ultimately credited him $900.
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Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!
1 - Credit card autopay: how do I avoid getting hit with an interest charge?
2 - Timing a HELOC: should I apply and open a line of credit before my income drops significantly?
3 - Solar panels: should I take the plunge with solar in order to mitigate monthly expenses in retirement?
4 - Family money talk: how do I convince my parents that taking out a loan for some HVAC work is foolish?
5 - Cellular for wearables: what’s the best option if we’re adding a line for our kid’s watch?
Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.
During this episode we enjoyed a It’s Complicated Being A Wizard by Burlington Beer Co! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!