Market Performance: February 27, 2024.

US stocks closed mixed on Tuesday after a pullback from all-time highs, with retail earnings on tap to occupy investors counting down to a crucial inflation report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) closed down just below 0.3% while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) picked up some late trading momentum to finish the day around 0.2% higher. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the major indexes, closing up roughly 0.4%.

Stocks have lost steam as investors regroup after the tumultuous run-up last week and as focus sharpens on the health of the US economy. Looming over investors is the PCE index report due Thursday, a key inflation input into the Federal Reserve's rate-setting decisions.

What Happens If You Go Over Your Credit Card Limit?

Your credit limit is simply the amount of credit a lender extends to you for a particular credit card or line of credit. Whether you’re new to carrying a credit card or you have years of credit history under your belt, there may be a point where you wonder what happens if you go over your credit card limit.

This isn’t a surprising question given how credit card balances continue their rise in the U.S.. The average credit card balance in 2023 is now $6,365, according to credit reporting agency Experian, which may put more consumers at risk of going over their credit limit at some point. We explore what you can expect if you go over your credit card limit — and what to do about it if it does happen.

What to expect when you max out a credit card

If you end up making a purchase that tips you over your credit limit, then you can expect one or more scenarios to take place.

What it means to max out your credit cards — and 2 steps that can help 

Maxing out your credit cards means you’ve made so many purchases that you no longer have any room left on your credit line. It also means you won’t have the option of making new purchases until you pay down your balance and add more room to the credit line. While it’s not unheard of to go over your credit limit, doing so has the potential to negatively affect your credit score.

If you have a history of on-time payments, you can ask your credit card company if it’s willing to increase your credit limit. If they do offer a credit limit increase, that increase can also help to lower your credit utilization.

Cost-Cutting Tips to Help You Save for Your Dream Vacation

What comes to mind when you think about taking the trip of a lifetime? Whether it involves donning cold-weather gear and setting foot on a glacier in Antarctica, cruising past the Big Five on an African safari, or something equally grand, it’s bound to be a pretty expensive feat. And aside from the usual budgeting tips you’ve likely come across—like traveling during shoulder seasons and opting for shared accommodations or transportation whenever possible—you’re going to need to save up a significant amount of cash to make that bucket list dream vacation come true.

That’s why we hashed out the best ways to organize everything from an extravagant weekend getaway to a long-haul round-the-world adventure without breaking the bank, with tips from financial experts and professional travel writers who’ve done it themselves.

First, figure out exactly how much money you’ll need

When it comes to tallying up your budget for a trip, your first step should be researching how much things cost so you can get a better idea of how much you’ll need to spend.

“Plan your trip meticulously to avoid unnecessary expenses—map out your daily activities, transportation routes, and accommodation options in advance,” says Hashimoto. “This will help you identify potential cost-saving opportunities and avoid last-minute splurges.”

Travel blogger Riana Ang-Canning, who celebrated her honeymoon in New Zealand in 2023, says it’s all about looking ahead and tailoring your budget to your interests. By adding up all the known costs for things like flights, hotels, transportation, and pre-booked activities as well as estimating additional funds needed for gas, food, and other incidentals, the couple was able to come up with a more accurate figure to aim for.

Once in New Zealand, Ang-Canning continued to track their expenses. Researching prices before they left also allowed them to budget in a few splurges along the way, including lounge passes for the airport and an overnight cruise to beautiful Doubtful Sound on New Zealand’s South Island.

Alternative Investing