Author: Money Mechanics

Similar to Social Security, Medicare is facing funding issues. You may have heard that the Hospital Insurance fund for Medicare Part A is expected to be able to fully pay scheduled benefits only until 2033, three years sooner than last year’s projection. However, it’s not as if the cost of Medicare will stay steady and suddenly increase in 2033. Instead, Medicare beneficiaries have a more immediate problem in the form of rising premiums and surcharges starting in 2026 and continuing over the next decade.The 2025 Medicare Trustees Report projects a steady increase in Medicare Part B premiums and IRMAA surcharges…

US Federal incentives are fading, but household demand for solar remains strong. With lower capital costs and community trust, credit unions and banks can deliver fair loans that turn solar from a niche to a norm, benefiting families and their own balance sheets alike, writes Bill Paulen, CEO of LoanTERRA, a green lending platform helping credit unions and community banks expand access to renewable energy financing. By most measures, residential solar power should already be a mainstream investment for US households. Solar panels now convert more sunlight into electricity than earlier generations, batteries hold their charge more consistently and last…

In a recent episode of “Mad Money,” Jim Cramer identified several stocks in the S&P 500 that he believes are undervalued, offering growth potential despite the market’s record highs.Cramer Highlights Undervalued Stocks Across Key SectorsCramer, the host of CNBC’s “Mad Money,” highlighted a range of stocks from different sectors that he believes are currently undervalued, reported CNBC.He first mentioned T-Mobile US Inc. TMUS, expressing confidence in the company’s team despite a recent leadership change. In the consumer sector, he pointed out Royal Caribbean Group RCL, Expedia Group Inc. EXPE, and Dollar Tree Inc. DLTR as potential bargains.Within the financial sector, Cramer highlighted Capital One Financial Corp. COF, American Express Co. AXP, Citigroup Inc. C, and KeyCorp KEY. He also mentioned Charles…

continues to set new record highs, becoming the center of global investor attention. However, while all eyes are on gold, – its often-overlooked “sibling” – has also made a strong breakout. This opens up an attractive trading opportunity for those looking for a potential catch-up trade.Gold and Silver: Together, Yet DifferentHistorically, gold and silver tend to move in the same direction with a high level of correlation, especially during times of market volatility. Gold: Seen as a safe-haven asset, highly sensitive to monetary policy expectations. Silver: Functions both as a precious metal and an industrial commodity, making it more volatile…

Municipal bond investors are increasingly focusing on K-12 school district debt as a confluence of market factors creates compelling opportunities ahead of a looming federal funding cliff. With September redemptions falling to nearly half of previous months’ levels and steady new issuance continuing, a supply-demand imbalance is emerging that could enhance yields across the school district curve. The first week of September alone brought approximately $560 million in new K-12 school district issuance to market, highlighting sustained demand for educational infrastructure financing even as the sector navigates headwinds from declining enrollment and the upcoming expiration of federal COVID relief funds.…

Last Week In A Nutshell  Mortgage rates inched up as the Fed presented a murky view of rate cuts for the next two meetings, while multiple economic data reports came in stronger than expected. Upcoming Attractions  This week should be fairly quiet for rates as the PCE release doesn’t usually move markets, but there will be plenty of Fedspeak to analyze. Macroeconomic data: Durable goods (Thursday) – Expected to decline modestly due to fewer commercial aircraft orders. Core capital goods expected to remain flat following a small increase last month. PCE inflation (Friday) – Core PCE expected to increase by…

At a time when data breaches are a daily occurrence, securing your online accounts is a must. When you have a dozen or more online accounts, with each service requiring complex username and password combinations, trying to remember each one is an impossible task. This is where password managers shine. These services remember and securely store your credentials for you to help keep your online accounts safe, and to reduce the risk of users relying on memorable — but weak — passwords. They also streamline otherwise time-consuming authentication processes. While passwordless options are available, traditional password managers are also effective. Keeping sensitive information…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will restrict the amount of federal student loans available to college students next year. Students may have to take out riskier private loans to cover the rest of their schooling.The average medical graduate student will not be able to take out enough federal loans for the cost of their school and will likely have to take out tens of thousands of dollars in private loans.Some families who take out Parent PLUS loans will have to use private loans, which typically have higher interest rates and will cost them almost $5,000 more in interest…

Key takeaways Berkshire’s model—insurance float, public-equity portfolio, and a growing roster of operating companies—remains the template every would-be “Baby Berkshire” is trying to replicate.Some copycats now sport a market cap of several billion and have delivered impressive returns over the past decade, though their scale is still a tiny fraction of Berkshire’s.Even the most advanced contenders would have to grow 30x just to reach Buffett’s neighborhood—an achievement that would require decades of flawless execution. Over six decades, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) has compounded at roughly 20% a year, trouncing the S&P 500 and reaching a market cap of three-quarters…

Key Takeaways Many Millennials and Gen X are in the “sandwich generation,” managing the costs and responsibilities of raising their children while also taking care of their aging parents. Caregiving for both kids and parents often means retirement savings are cut, with over half of the sandwich generation reducing or stopping their savings during prime earning years. Sticking to traditional personal finance rules like building an emergency fund, taking advantage of an employer match, and budgeting can help you stay on track for your own retirement. As Millennials and Gen X settle into middle age, they will be caring for…