Hi There! I still remember the first time I saw my credit score touch 810. I felt proud. For me it was proof that I was finally doing something right with money in America. I had followed the rules, built a clean history, paid my bills on time, and kept my balances low. The banks rewarded me with credit limit increases and low interest offers. For a while, I thought I had cracked the code.

The only investment I had was the 401K at my job. I made sure to contribute just enough for the company match and I noted the vesting period carefully. Beyond that I had no clue what the numbers on the statement meant. Still, with my score above 800 and a solid engineering job, I felt like life was on track.

I used my cards the smart way. Small charges. Pay them off. No interest. It worked well until life changed. My divorce hit and let me tell you it was ugly. Then again, which divorce isn’t. The lawyer fees piled up. Car repairs and house repairs came one after the other. Everyday little “I’ll just put it on the card” moments slipped in. In short, when it was over, I was left with maxed-out credit cards and the loans I had co-signed.

At first I thought I could handle it. I told myself I would get through. However, the weight of debt grew heavier by the month. Every payday I watched my salary land in my account only to disappear just as fast. By the time the bills were paid and the debts were drafted out, I was staring at a negative bank balance. I was drowning. My once proud 810 slid down to 530.

Imagine that. An engineer making good money, as we say in Grenada, but still broke. The shame was unbearable. I was so embarrassed that I kept it to myself. Nobody knew what I was going through. I smiled on the outside, but inside I was a hot ___ mess.

Maybe you know that feeling. Maybe you are in debt from a divorce, or from losing a job, or from health bills that will not stop coming. Maybe you bought a home and the payments stretched you too thin. Now you feel ashamed because the ‘math ain’t mathing’. You want to do better, but you do not know where to begin. You are afraid to even ask.

I know the feeling all too well, and here is what I learnt:

Falling from 810 to 530 was not the end of the world. It was a wake-up call. It forced me to face the truth about money, credit, and the importance of paying attention to other people’s money language. More than that, it forced me to rebuild with a more solid foundation. One based on knowledge. I leaned on the same mindset I once used to raise my score. This time I applied it to repaying my debt.

The more I understood, the less power the fear had over me. I created a plan, made a list of all my debt with balances, interest rates, and totals, and began tackling them one by one. Slowly, one disciplined choice at a time, I climbed back. My mistakes became my teacher. This is why I can now help others.

Maybe you are standing where I once stood. Ashamed. Stressed. Unsure what to do next. I want you to know this. Debt is not a permanent label. Your score is not your worth. You can recover and you most definitely can rebuild.

The “Debt Reality Check” worksheet I used to start digging out of debt and rebuilding my score is in the Special Tools and Strategies section below. It helped me breathe again ( in my Toni Braxton voice). It gave me a path forward, and it can help you too.

Until then, here is what I want you to reflect on. What story is your credit score telling about you right now. Not about who you were five years ago, not about your intentions, but today. Face the number honestly.

The first step to making any change is knowing where you stand! 

Alright, let’s dig in!

The U.S. stock market powered higher again last week, cementing another round of fresh records for both large and small cap benchmarks. The spotlight was on the Federal Reserve’s September meeting, where policymakers resumed their rate-cutting cycle after an eight-month pause. While Wall Street cheered the decision, the Treasury market pulled back as investors recalibrated expectations for future cuts.

International markets were mixed: Europe juggled political and monetary challenges, while Asian markets saw South Korea and Taiwan thrive on tech momentum. Trinidad and Tobago Virtual Assets Bill could halt crypto until 2027. Commodities gave up early gains, with oil ending flat and gold moving higher. The dollar also gained ground, supported by the Fed’s cautious tone.

U.S. Markets Recap (September 14 - September 20, 2025)

Equities:

Last week, stocks surged to new heights following the Fed’s 0.25% rate cut. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Russell 2000 all notched records; the first quadfecta since 2021.

• Tech Leadership: Big tech returned to the forefront after a brief pause caused by Beijing’s antitrust probe into NVIDIA. Gains in AI-related names accelerated after NVIDIA announced a $5 billion investment in Intel.

• Earnings Spotlight: FedEx impressed with stronger-than-expected results, reinstating its full-year guidance despite warning of a $1 billion trade-related hit. StubHub, however, stumbled after its IPO, with a price plunge three days in a row.

• Options Expiry: Last Friday’s triple-witching session (expiring stock options, index options, and futures) added volatility but ultimately ended with bulls in control.

Fixed Income:

Treasury yields rose, pressuring bonds to their first weekly decline since mid-August. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cooled hopes of aggressive easing, signaling a more gradual pace of cuts. Still, foreign demand provided a cushion as France and the U.K. boosted holdings of U.S. Treasuries, offsetting China’s reductions.

Commodities:

• Crude Oil: WTI finished with little change. Early gains tied to new EU sanctions on Russian oil faded as Angola signaled higher 2026 production and weak U.S. housing data raised demand concerns.

• Gold: Prices advanced, supported by central bank buying and expectations of further easing, even as traders scaled back overly dovish Fed bets.

Currencies:

The dollar strengthened after Powell emphasized a “meeting-by-meeting” approach to policy.

• EUR/USD: +0.01%

• GBP/USD: -0.65%

• USD/JPY: +0.20%

U.S. Economic Recap (September 14 - September 20, 2025)

The Fed cut rates by 25bps last week. They delivered what many are calling an “insurance cut,” lowering the target range to 4.00–4.25%.

• Vote: 11–1 in favour. Governor Stephen Miran dissented, favouring a larger 0.50% cut.

• Outlook: The Summary of Economic Projections (Fed Dot Plot) points to two more cuts this year and one in 2026. GDP growth estimates were revised up, while inflation is now expected to linger above target until 2028.

• This means: Investors see this as a signal that October and December cuts are likely, even if inflation remains stubborn.

Global Markets Recap (September 14 - September 20, 2025)

Europe:

The STOXX 600 ended slightly lower.

• Tariff concerns led to a drop early last week as investors took some risk off

• French equities outperformed on optimism around budget negotiations, though talks with Socialist party leaders remained fragile.

• The Bank of England (BoE) held rates steady, signaled slower balance sheet reduction, and hinted at gradual easing ahead.

Asia:

Mixed results across the region.

• South Korea: Tech-driven rally and tax relief optimism pushed indexes to records.

• Taiwan: Benefited from semiconductor enthusiasm.

• Japan: Markets dipped after BOJ held rates steady and unveiled plans to unwind ETF and REIT holdings.

• China/Hong Kong: AI gains were offset by weak data and profit-taking.

Crypto Recap (September 14 - September 20, 2025)

Last week, crypto drifted lower, though institutional inflows remain strong.

• Bitcoin: -0.3%

• Ethereum: -5.2%

• ETF Flows: $887M into Bitcoin ETFs, $557M into Ethereum funds, showing continued institutional demand.

• BNB: The standout, surging 10% to $1,083 (a new all-time high per TradingView). Analysts credit institutional demand, regulatory clarity, and Binance’s partnership with Franklin Templeton on new investment products.

Last week’s Top Crypto Gainers: ASTER, IP, BNB, IMX, HTX

Caribbean Finance & Crypto Highlight (September 14 - September 20, 2025)

Trinidad and Tobago has introduced the Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, which would suspend the purchase, sale, and transfer of cryptocurrencies until December 31, 2027. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said the goal is to curb money laundering, prevent illicit fund transfers, and align the country with FATF standards.

The bill emphasizes restrictions, banning unauthorized crypto activity and advertising, with penalties as high as TT$5 million and five years in prison for violations.

Industry groups, including FintechTT, warn the measure could stifle innovation, harm foreign exchange reserves, and drive talent abroad, while potentially sweeping up NFTs, loyalty points, and in-game tokens under its broad scope.

The bill, tabled on September 12, is still under review. The Finance Minister has called it a “work in progress” as feedback from stakeholders is considered before debate in Parliament.

This proposal signals a regulatory shift that could delay innovation in the Caribbean’s crypto economy while policymakers balance oversight with growth.

Here are other key highlights from last week:

• Google’s new AP2 protocol could change how AI pays for everything.

• MoneyGram made Stablecoins the backbone of its Next-Generation App.

• American Express introduced blockchain-based ‘Travel Stamps’.

• Pudgy Penguins’ ‘masterpiece’ Pudgy Party tops 500K downloads: Web3 Gamer.

• Cypher Capital and Polygon Labs Forge Institutional Bridge for POL Access.

This week is packed with U.S. Economic News!

Key U.S. Economic Releases this week (September 22 - 26):

• Tuesday: Services PMI, Manufacturing PMI

• Wednesday: New Home Sales

• Thursday: Q2 GDP, Jobless Claims, Durable Goods Orders, Existing Home Sales

• Friday: Core PCE Inflation, Consumer Sentiment

Fed Watch

A packed schedule includes Fed Chair Powell (Tuesday, 12:35 PM) and nearly every voting member throughout the week. Markets will parse tone and guidance closely.

Earnings: 

A light week for Earnings, but all eyes are on Micron (MU) and Costco (COST). Results could shape sector sentiment, particularly in tech and consumer staples.

Notable earnings releases are shown in the chart below.

Medium-to-High Impact Global Economic Events This Week:

Week 9/14/25 - 9/20/25 Recap

Special Tools & Strategies - Debt Reality Check!!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is strictly educational. The information this report provides does not constitute investment, financial, trading, or any other advice. You should not treat any of the report’s content as such. Please be careful and do your research.