Author: Money Mechanics

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. October 14, 2025 Minutes of the Board’s discount rate meetings on August 18 and September 17, 2025 For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday released the minutes from its recent meetings to review and determine the discount rates provided to depository institutions through the discount window. Today’s minutes cover the Board meetings that occurred on August 18 and September 17, 2025. The Board’s process for setting the discount…

Key Takeaways A grocery-chain CEO listed a number of ways shoppers are looking to “focus on value” these days, including buying more store brands, using coupons and sticking to a list.But an ongoing effort to save doesn’t mean they aren’t also trying to eat healthier, the CEO of Albertsons said. Americans aren’t done hunting for deals in grocery aisles. Shoppers are looking to “focus on value,” the CEO of grocery chain Albertsons (ACI) said on a Tuesday conference call, adopting a range of strategies to save ranging from buying smaller to avoiding impulse purchases. The latest comments, from CEO Susan…

For decades, stock awards have been the most sought-after perks in corporate America, offering the promise of wealth in exchange for loyalty. For employees, these packages often spark hope of striking it rich should their company stock take off. According to a recent Charles Schwab study, three-quarters of employees say equity pay is very important, and half see it as a must-have benefit when job hunting. But, according to financial planners and industry experts, relying too much on stock for pay can create risks that few workers fully understand. It may even leave you worse off than if you got…

(Oil Price)– Oil prices wiped out earlier gains to dip by more than 2% in early U.S. trade on Tuesday amid renewed concerns that the trade war between the United States and China could slow global economy. As of 9:21 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, fell to the $58 per barrel threshold, down by 2.07% on the day at $58.28. The international benchmark, Brent Crude, was trading below the $62 a barrel mark, and was down by 2.02% at $62.04. Oil had stabilized in early Asian trade on Tuesday, as hopes of a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Beijing helped…

Key Takeaways The U.S. economy could take a massive hit if China follows through on threats to restrict its exports of rare earth minerals.Rare earths are used in defense, cars, electronics, and other high-tech products, and China nearly completely controls the market for them.Cutting off rare earths would drag down economic growth and push inflation to double-digit levels, according to one analysis. If the latest skirmish of words between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping devolves into a full-scale trade war, the U.S. could take an economic hit on par with the onset of COVID-19. That’s according to an…

Claiming family tax credits is a must if you’re eligible. Not only can family tax breaks lower your tax liability, but they may even increase your refund.However, which credits you qualify for can change from year to year. And the amounts of the credits can also change, since many are adjusted yearly for inflation.So, while you might already know about the 2025 child tax credit and other family tax breaks for the previous year, here is what you can expect for the 2026 tax year (for income tax returns normally filed in early 2027). Read on. From just $107.88 $24.99…

As it does each year, the IRS has announced inflation adjustments to several tax credit and deduction amounts for 2026. This includes new 2026 income tax bracket thresholds, higher standard deduction amounts, and an increase in the additional standard deduction available to taxpayers age 65 and older.As Kiplinger has noted, this extra standard deduction — which can be claimed in addition to the regular standard deduction — can help lower taxable income for many eligible retirees and older adults.Adding to those familiar annual adjustments, the GOP’s recently enacted so-called “big, beautiful bill” introduces a new bonus deduction for qualifying older…

Key Takeaways The Small Business Optimism Index declined to 98.8 in September as uncertainty surged due to shifting U.S. government policies.The uncertainty index reached its fourth-highest level in the survey’s history, as business owners expressed concerns about supply chains, inflation, and inventory levels. More business owners said they plan to raise prices, while small business hiring plans were at their highest levels since January. Small business owner optimism in September sank to its lowest level in three months as concerns mount about the direction of the U.S. economy. The Small Business Optimism Index declined to 98.8, its lowest level since June,…

Understanding when to enroll in Medicare is just as important as knowing what it covers. Missing a deadline could result in late enrollment penalties that last a lifetime or delays in coverage. This 10-question multiple-choice quiz will test your knowledge on the most critical Medicare enrollment windows, including the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), and key Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). See if you have the timing down to ensure you lock in the best possible coverage without costly mistakes!And don’t worry if you miss an answer; you can follow the links below the quiz to brush…

Key Takeaways The major U.S. stock indexes are back to making dramatic moves, with investors dealing with another round of trade-related uncertainty.One widely used volatility measure, the VIX, has jumped recently to its highest levels in months. But it’s still well off April highs. Investors are getting a taste of volatility. We’re not back where we were in April—but the increase is notable, with the major U.S. stock indexes moving dramatically Friday and Monday in response to fresh uncertainty regarding the trade relationship with China. (That’s continued today, with the S&P 500 falling as much as 1.5% in early trading…