JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon Shares Newspapers Successful Businessmen Read; Sen. Marco Rubio Says Avoid These Money Mistakes

JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon shares the newspapers successful businessmen read, offering insight into the habits of top executives. Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio highlights key financial mistakes to avoid, drawing from his own past missteps, including misuse of business credit cards, mortgage defaults, and early retirement savings withdrawals.

> Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, relies on a structured morning routine of reading multiple newspapers, starting with The Washington Post, followed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times, to stay well-informed on national and international issues. This disciplined approach supports his strategic decision-making and enables him to anticipate changes in global markets. Regular news consumption fosters empathy and understanding of societal challenges, helping leaders like Dimon align business strategies with broader social contexts. Additionally, keeping up with industry-specific trends sharpens leaders' competitive edge, while honing communication skills through exposure to diverse perspectives.

> President-elect Donald Trump's promise to boost U.S. oil production and cut energy prices faces market challenges due to a global surplus of fossil fuels. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods stated that U.S. production levels are already high and not significantly constrained, limiting immediate potential for growth. Analysts note that oil companies are more focused on shareholder returns than expanding production, and presidential influence on global oil prices is limited. While U.S. production remains at record highs and is projected to grow gradually, balancing production increases and price stability remains a complex challenge for the industry.

> Elon Musk's relationship with Donald Trump has fueled speculation that he could influence the U.S. President-elect’s China policy, but experts warn against overestimating Musk’s diplomatic potential. While Musk has strong business ties in China and has met with high-ranking officials, his ability to influence U.S.-China relations is seen as limited, given the complex political landscape and his primary focus on business interests. Some experts believe a group of influential business leaders, including Musk, could play a stabilizing role, but they are unlikely to match the impact of a figure like Henry Kissinger. Musk’s efforts might open certain opportunities, but his involvement poses risks of conflicts of interest and is not a substitute for committed diplomacy.

Professional organizers, inspired by figures like Marie Kondo, help people declutter and create order in their lives. With minimalism on the rise, many people seek assistance to part with long-held possessions and establish an organized system. If you’re naturally organized and enjoy transforming spaces, you could coach others to achieve and maintain a clutter-free environment. Building a portfolio with before-and-after photos can help promote your services on social media, attracting more clients.

Professional gift-wrapping services are especially popular during the holiday season when many people are overwhelmed with gift preparations. Offering to wrap presents can bring in around $25 an hour or $15-$25 per item, helping customers check this time-consuming task off their lists. With the holiday rush approaching, it's a great opportunity to put your creativity to use and relieve some of the seasonal stress. Make their celebrations extra special with beautifully wrapped gifts that stand out.

> Airfare in 2024 has generally decreased, though some destinations remain costly at peak times. For holiday travel savings, booking flights now and flying during "shoulder season" can offer significant discounts. Mid-week flights, particularly on Tuesdays, are typically cheaper, while budget airlines provide more economical options, albeit with additional fees for services. Consider using travel credit cards for rewards, and explore travel apps to find deals, including heavily discounted mistake fares. For additional airline deals, check here. 

> U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a potential Secretary of State under President-elect Trump, has faced scrutiny for notable money mistakes throughout his career. These include misusing a Republican Party credit card for personal expenses, resulting in controversy over nearly $100,000 in charges, and defaulting on mortgages, including a foreclosure on a jointly-owned property. Rubio also withdrew $68,000 prematurely from his retirement savings, incurring high taxes and penalties despite having other liquid assets. His financial missteps highlight the importance of separating personal and business finances, maintaining consistent mortgage payments, and safeguarding retirement savings.

> An IT researcher, Jeremiah Fowler, discovered that a tech recruiter’s unsecured database exposed the personal information of around 216,000 job seekers, including names, phone numbers, passport numbers, visa details, and partial Social Security numbers. After Fowler notified New Jersey-based Alltech Consulting Services in September, the database was locked, but the company did not respond to his alerts or requests for comment. The exposed data could have easily been accessed without hacking, posing significant identity theft risks, as cybersecurity experts noted. Fowler emphasized the need for companies to protect sensitive data better and urged caution when job candidates are asked to share personal information.