Author: Money Mechanics

The sunset is reflected in the windows of the US Capitol as a man runs on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025, the first day of the US federal government shutdown.Andrew Caballero-reynolds | Afp | Getty ImagesA version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.When the government shuts down, real estate watchers tend…

Key Takeaways CDs offer a fixed rate of return, creating a low-risk source of passive income for your retirement. CD yields are still excellent, despite recent rate cuts. Investing in a top-earning CD before the Fed lowers rates further can help you take advantage of the current high yields. Shop around to make sure you get the best rate possible. Know the risks that come with CDs, including liquidity risk, opportunity cost, and reinvestment risk. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. Being close to retirement often means changing your lifestyle, spending habits, and investments. Since your…

Key Takeaways More than half of early retirees in Gen X are considering “unretiring” for a variety of financial, social, and emotional reasons. Before you retire early, meet financial milestones that include being debt-free, having multiple income sources, and having enough savings to cover healthcare expenses before you can access Medicare. Retirement can be socially isolating. Part of being ready for early retirement includes having strong social connections, a plan to structure your time, and activities that give you a sense of purpose. If you’re thinking of retiring early, how much you have saved is important, but it’s not the…

KEY TAKEAWAYS PepsiCo posted quarterly earnings ahead of estimates and announced a new chief financial officer Thursday.The beverage maker said Steve Schmitt, chief financial officer for Walmart’s U.S. unit, will take over as CFO from Jamie Caulfield effective Nov. 10. PepsiCo (PEP) posted quarterly earnings slightly ahead of analysts’ expectations and announced a new chief financial officer Thursday. The maker of Pepsi soda and Doritos chips posted adjusted earnings per share of $2.29 on revenue that rose 2.7% year-over-year to $23.94 billion for the third quarter. Both figures topped analysts’ projections compiled by Visible Alpha, thanks in part to strength in…

Key Takeaways Gold crossed the closely watched $4,000/oz level this week for the for first time ever, as investors pile into the precious metal amid a rush to safety.After breaking out from a narrow trading range in early September, the commodity’s price has continued to trend sharply higher with only several minor retracements since that time.The measured move technique projects a potential bullish price target of $4,160. Investors should watch critical support levels on gold’s chart around $3,700, $3,450 and $3,250. Gold (XAUUSD) has continued shining brightly this week, crossing above the closely watched $4,000/oz level for the for first…

Fed Officials Are Willing To Cut Rates, But Inflation Could Derail Plans 21 minutes ago Officials at the Federal Reserve cut the central bank’s influential interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point last month despite inflation remaining near the top of their list of worries, according to minutes released by the Federal Open Market Committee Wednesday. The minutes detailed the discussions that led the Fed to cut interest rates for the first time this year. Central bankers face a dilemma as they strive to fulfill their dual mandate of maintaining low inflation and high employment. Inflation remains above the Fed’s target of…

Since the pandemic, inflation and higher costs of living have pushed many Americans’ wallets to the brink. They’ve been forced to cut back in several areas, including saving for the future.A 2025 Morgan Stanley at Work study found about 39% of employees surveyed said they reduced their 401(k) contributions as a result of current economic conditions, and 67% say they’re reducing contributions across all savings accounts. That’s a 4% increase from 2024.Some were forced to draw from those retirement savings. A 2025 report from Vanguard found a record 4.8% of 401(k) account holders took a hardship withdrawal in 2024, more…

Life rarely stays the same, and neither should your estate plan.Major life events often require changes to your estate planning documents. We often tell clients to remember the five D’s: dependents, divorce, downsizing, disability and death.Any of these events can quickly make an estate plan outdated, which is why a one-size-fits-all will isn’t enough. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the backbone of any good plan — your will. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with…

Retirement can easily last more than two decades, which is why it takes saving and planning. It also requires at least basic retirement financial literacy. After all, if you don’t know when to collect Social Security benefits or what age Medicare starts, you could make costly mistakes.Unfortunately, far too many Americans fall short when it comes to their financial retirement IQ. In fact, TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center (GFLEC) gave Americans a failing grade when they asked adults six questions, ranging from how Social Security is calculated to the benefits of a 401(k) match. Just 45%…

Key Takeaways Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits are taxed by the federal government if you meet certain income thresholds. Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia are the only states that tax Social Security. Have a strategy in place that works with Social Security, including maximizing your benefits, carefully determining your portfolio allocation, and having other income sources. There tends to be a lot of confusion about how Social Security benefits are taxed. Benefits are taxed by the federal government but most states don’t tax Social Security. In fact, only nine…