Author: Money Mechanics

Financial abuse in the U.S. is a $37 billion a year problem. Clever thieves, using every imaginable trick, get aging parents to do things that result in thefts. AI is making it worse! Now voices of family can be cloned and used by predators to get a grandparent, for example, to think a grandchild is in financial trouble. Fake images can be sent in emails. Family vigilance is ever more important to keep aging loved ones financially safer.Clever scammers can steal fastNurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhen Should You Do Something?Here at AgingParents.com, we’re in the advice business. Family members seek consultations…

Key Takeaways Rocket Lab shares took off as the satellite launch provider signed a multi-mission contract with Japan’s iQPS, a satellite manufacturer and operator.Rocket Lab also announced its launch window for the next trip for Synspective, another Japanese satellite company. Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB) traded at a record high when the satellite launch provider announced details about several planned missions. The company said it just signed another multi-launch contract with Japanese satellite manufacturing and operating firm Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) to deploy iQPS’s commercial Earth-imaging constellation. The three trips by Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, planned for…

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) is the single largest private holder of U.S. Treasury bills, surpassing even the Federal Reserve’s own holdings. As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire controlled about $305 billion in Treasury bills, while the Fed’s holdings had dropped to $195 billion. This shift reveals much about Buffett’s take on today’s investment climate. What Are Treasury Bills and Why Do They Matter? Treasury bills (T-bills) are short-term debt securities issued by the U.S. government, with maturities ranging from four weeks to one year. They pay no periodic interest but are sold at a…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes climbed Wednesday as enthusiasm for artificial intelligence stocks boosted the tech sector.Nvidia’s CEO said in an interview with CNBC that demand for AI has grown “substantially” this year, and shares of the chipmaker rose. Advanced Micro Devices shares added to their recent rally in the wake of a massive deal with OpenAI. Major U.S. equities indexes climbed Wednesday as enthusiasm for artificial intelligence stocks boosted the tech sector. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all gained. Nvidia (NVDA) shares rose after CEO Jensen Huang said in a televised interview with CNBC that AI demand…

After remaining sideways to marginally lower for an extended period, QuantumScape (QS) has skyrocketed by 312% in the last six months. Recently, QuantumScape had two key announcements that have accelerated the stock upside. First, QuantumScape and PowerCo SE showed off its solid-state batteries in a Ducati demo motorcycle at IAA Mobility. This marks an important step towards commercialization. Further, QuantumScape and Corning (GLW) announced an agreement for ceramic separator development and commercialization. These announcements have translated into significant price action, but valuation is a potential concern. QuantumScape, headquartered in San Jose, California, is focused on the development and commercialization of…

At nearly the same moment as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was expressing surprise over OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar deal with competitor AMD — shortly after his company agreed to invest up to $100 billion into the AI model maker — Sam Altman was saying that more such deals are in the works. Huang appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Wednesday. When asked if he knew about the AMD deal before it was announced, he answered, “Not really.”   As TechCrunch previously reported, OpenAI’s deal with AMD is unusual. AMD has agreed to grant OpenAI large tranches of AMD stock — up to 10%…

Key Takeaways Pfizer struck a deal with the Trump administration to sell discounted prescription drugs directly to Americans through a new federal website, TrumpRx.gov, launching in 2026. The plan could lower costs for some consumers, but unclear pricing details, insurance limits, and eligibility questions leave its long-term impact uncertain. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced last week it struck a deal with the Trump administration to sell select discounted drugs directly to Americans through a new federal website, TrumpRx.gov. The agreement seeks to lower medication costs, though its details and long-term impact remain uncertain. What’s in the Pfizer-Trump Agreement? Pfizer will offer…

Key Takeaways Recent job losses have been concentrated among Black, Asian, and Hispanic workers. Government job cuts, tariffs on imports, the accelerating adoption of AI, and inflation are the headwinds deepening existing structural job gaps between racial groups. As a result, workers of color are now facing greater rates of unemployment even as the national U.S. rate remains low. While headlines this year have focused on the overall jobs picture, hidden in plain sight is a troubling fact: while white workers have seen a slight downtick in unemployment since April, job losses among Hispanic, Black, and Asian American workers are…

Want to earn $1,000 in monthly passive income from dividend stocks? Many investors have successfully built dividend portfolios that generate substantial monthly income through patience, smart stock selection, and consistent investing. Below, we show you how it’s done. What Are Dividends? When successful companies make a profit, they often distribute some of the money to their investors through dividends, this is typically done every three months. Not every company pays dividends, however. Younger startups usually prefer to invest all their money in growing their businesses. Instead, dividend payments typically come from more established companies. Some, like Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Johnson…

Key Takeaways Nonprofit credit counseling demand surged 35% in 2024, with young adults driving the highest growth at 48% for those aged 21-30. Housing costs increased 11% year-over-year for counseling clients, with homeowners facing $1,900 monthly payments and renters paying $1,300. Federal data shows 20% of student borrowers are behind on payments, while millennials carry average student debt of $40,438. Millennials, the largest generation in the workforce, are quietly drowning in debt while often maintaining the appearance of financial stability and success on social media. Money Management International (MMI), one of the nation’s largest nonprofit credit counseling agencies, reported a…