Author: Money Mechanics

A woman walks past a “Now Hiring” sign in front of a store on January 13, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia.Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty ImagesRetailers are ramping up hiring this year, defying economic concerns as consumers keep shopping.The retail trades added nearly 22,000 jobs in April, accounting for almost one-fifth of total job growth, according to preliminary federal data released Friday. Nearly 15.5 million employees now hold retail industry jobs, the most since July 2024.Consumers have kept their wallets open in the face of war in Iran, higher gasoline prices, faster inflation and President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Lately,…

How will work setups change if we spend more and more time talking to our computers? A recent feature in the Wall Street Journal looks at the rising popularity of dictation apps like Wispr, especially now that they can be connected to vibe coding tools, and what that might mean for office etiquette. One VC said that visiting startup offices now feels like stepping into a high-end call center. And Gusto co-founder Edward Kim is apparently telling his team that in the future, offices will sound “more like a sales floor.” (As someone still scarred from the time his desk…

California Resources (NYSE:CRC) reported a stronger-than-expected first quarter and raised its 2026 outlook, citing higher oil prices, improved capital efficiency, accelerated drilling plans and additional cost savings from its Berry merger. President and CEO Francisco Leon said the company is benefiting from “unprecedented energy market volatility” that has created tailwinds for its California-focused oil and gas business. He pointed to recent disruptions in global supply chains and California’s reliance on imported crude as factors underscoring the importance of in-state production. “Today, over 60% of the oil consumed in California comes from foreign sources,” Leon said. He added that state inventories…

Protect your retirement savings against the risk of cognitive decline.gettyMany pre-retirees and retirees appropriately worry about market risk (stock market crashes) and longevity risk (outliving your money). Cognitive decline is another serious risk that retirees need to address because it directly affects your finances. So, when you’re developing strategies to build lifetime retirement income and protect against market and longevity risks, you’ll also want to take into consideration the risk of cognitive decline in your later years. What’s The Financial Risk Of Cognitive Decline?According to a recent study by the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), about 14% of…

For decades, fame seemed to be the only guarantee for a quick, splashy, and profitable home sale. A celebrity’s ties to a property would create instant buzz—and served as a sure-fire tactic for luring in a line of prospective buyers.But in recent years, that playbook seems to have faltered, leaving many of Hollywood’s most famous faces in an uphill struggle to shift their opulent homes. Few stars seem to be immune to this trend, which has affected everyone from Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.According to celebrity real estate broker and “Selling Sunset” star Jason…

Restaurant operators face a perfect storm of rising costs and declining customer spending. “Well, we’ve seen overall labor and food costs go up 35% since the pandemic,” National Restaurant Association (NRA) Chief Economist Chad Moutray told Scripps News. “But it’s not just those costs. We’ve seen insurance and taxes and everything else go up, utility costs, et cetera.” “Those extra costs have really eaten into the bottom line,” he added. Traditionally, restaurants would pass those costs, at least some of them, onto customers. That’s not possible right now, according to the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry report. Establishments…

An incredibly cozy five-bedroom home in the heart of the Berkshires has recently come back on the market for $1.49 million. The striking post-and-beam mountain retreat in Hancock, MA, offers buyers rustic, warm interiors crafted by local artisans and the chance to own a home with access to year-round adventure.Located just 3.5 miles from Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, which is known for its ski slopes, mountain coaster, and four-season recreation, the property is perfectly positioned as a private escape for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby Appalachian Trail also provides endless hiking opportunities, while the college town of Williamstown (just 20 minutes…

(Oil Price) – Despite tense bilateral relations, the United States and South Africa held this week their highest-level meeting so far this year to discuss potential resource deals in critical minerals, the Financial Times reported on Friday, quoting attendees of the meeting in Johannesburg. The two countries have been in tense relations since U.S. President Donald Trump took office for his second term last year and accused South Africa of “white genocide.” However, the Chinese grip on the global critical minerals market seems to have prompted the U.S. to seek opportunities for resource deals in South Africa, which produces minerals including manganese, vanadium,…

Woman at home places coins into a piggy bank while jotting down notes about finances. Use the average retirement savings by age as a reference point to see if you’re on track to retire but not a target.GettyRegardless of where you are in your career, life stage or financial plans, comparing your retirement savings with national benchmarks can help you gauge whether you are on track to meet your goals. That context is especially valuable in 2026 as inflation, interest rates and market uncertainty continue to affect how Americans save, invest and plan for retirement.The average retirement savings balance is…

An elegant North Carolina property has become something of an architectural mystery after undergoing an incredible restoration that shed new light on its centuries-old heritage. Located on a lush parcel in Charlotte, the four-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom dwelling, which is known as the William Lee House, has recently come to market for $4.2 million, more than 200 years after it was first completed.However, the exact date of its original build is now the source of some speculation after an extensive multiyear renovation brought to light new design details that led historians to believe it could be even older than its listed 1828…