Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are trusted traveler programs that offer expedited security screening and other benefits.TSA PreCheck is primarily for domestic travel, while Global Entry includes expedited customs clearance for international travel.Both programs require an application, background check, and fee payment.TSA PreCheck costs $78-85 for a 5-year membership, while Global Entry costs $100 for a 5-year membership.Choosing between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry depends on personal factors such as travel frequency, international travel, and budget. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are trusted traveler programs under the Department of Homeland Security and can help make your travel days…

Key Takeaways An uptick in oil prices helped boost stocks in the energy sector on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, while enthusiasm waned around a potential media deal.Shares of APA Corp. and other oil producers advanced as crude oil futures prices ticked higher.Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance shares fell as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) criticized reports of merger talks and an analyst downgraded Warner Bros. Discovery. Shares of oil producers gained ground, boosted by an uptick in commodity prices, while a rally ran out of steam for two entertainment giants at the center of reports about a potential takeover bid.…

Key Takeaways In a rare combo, Connexus Credit Union’s Xtraordinary Checking pairs a 5% APY with a $300 cash bonus. To qualify, you’ll need to meet debit card and electronic deposit requirements. If this account isn’t the right fit, we highlight other strong savings and CD options. The Fed is expected to cut rates this week, making a 5% offer especially attractive right now. Connexus also leads on CDs, paying a nation-leading 4.60% APY on a seven-month term. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. How This High-Yield Checking Account Delivers 5% Plus a $300 Bonus High-yield…

Key Takeaways Physical Social Security checks will no longer be issued starting Sept. 30.Beneficiaries will only receive electronic payments after the end of the monthAdvocates warn that changes could confuse beneficiaries or bring inaccessibility. Physical Social Security checks will no longer be issued starting Sept. 30, and it could cause issues for some beneficiaries. The move is part of the Social Security Administration’s push to digitize many of its processes, which it says will improve efficiency and security. Of the about 70 million Social Security beneficiaries, “less than 1%,” receive paper checks for their benefits, according to the agency.  “When…

Key Takeaways Rents in August fell by 2.2%, marking the 25th month that they’ve moved lower on an annual basis, a Realtor.com report found.Even with the decline over the past two years, rents are still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.The report found that finding more affordable housing and getting more space were among the most cited reasons that renters moved. An ongoing decline in rents is giving more people the opportunity to find more space at a lower cost. Rent prices fell for the 25th straight month in August, according to a Realtor.com report, with places like Las Vegas, Atlanta…

Did you know you can take Medicare Advantage for a test drive?gettyWhen it’s time to buy a new car, what is one of the first things most people do? Take a test-drive and try out the model to see if it’s what they really want.When it’s time to tackle Medicare, there is also a chance to test how Medicare Advantage will work. Unlike test-drives however, there are just two trial periods and only one can apply to any beneficiary. Electing Medicare Advantage During the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).The official name for this trial period (in the CMS Managed Medicare Manual)…

Key Takeaways The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to deliver its first 2025 rate cut this week, with more cuts likely before year-end—and savings account rates are set to edge lower in response. Opening a CD now can lock in one of today’s high rates for months or even years, keeping some of your earnings protected from Fed cuts. Splitting your savings between one of today’s best CDs (or more than one) and a top high-yield savings account can lift your overall return while keeping some of your money fully accessible. If a CD fits your goals and timeline, don’t…

The financial professionals who contribute to Kiplinger’s Adviser Intel are always here to make sure you have the information you need to make critical decisions about your retirement planning, estate planning and tax planning.In the past week, they’ve written about the OBBB’s impact on retirement and estate planning and how you can ensure your wealth stays in the family when you pass. One also addressed the questions that every early retiree might ask.This quiz is designed to test what you’ve learned from them. Let’s see what you know! (And don’t worry if you miss an answer: You can follow the…

The main U.S. equity indexes traded lower Tuesday but remained near all-time highs heading into the climactic second day of a much-anticipated Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Incoming data indicate the all-important American consumer is still healthy despite signs of weakness in the labor market.The outcome is hardly in doubt – the target range for the federal funds rate is headed lower from its current 4.25% to 4.50% – but it could be “one of the strangest in years,” says Nick Timiraos of The Wall Street Journal.And the next Fed meeting is well underway, with a decision due at 2…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. August 12, 2025 Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with former employee of First Horizon Bank For release at 11:00 a.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced the execution of the enforcement action listed below: Consent prohibition order against Khalila Cooper Former employee of First Horizon Bank, Memphis, Tennessee Embezzlement of bank funds Additional enforcement actions can be searched for here. For media inquiries, please email [email protected] or call 202-452-2955. Last Update: …