Author: Money Mechanics

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysGoogle Pixel phones are notorious for having hidden settings that can greatly enhance the user experience.The list includes options for ramping up the display refresh rate, optimizing the battery life, and gestures.I demo them on a Pixel 9a running on Android 15, but newer and older software versions should have similar capabilities.With so many Google Pixel models out in the wild, you may be wondering if now is the best time to upgrade and switch phones. Perhaps a better question to ask is how you can optimize your current device…

Age Median 401(k) Savings Goal Gap 40s $162,143 $1,428,571 $1,266,428 50s $251,758 $1,428,571 $1,176,813 For early retirees, these aren’t finish lines, they’re starting points. Planning conservatively and saving above the benchmarks can mean the difference between running out of money and retiring with peace of mind. Accessing Your 401(k) Before 59½ It’s important to know that you can’t access your 401(k) funds without a 10% penalty until 59½, aside from limited exceptions. That means anyone retiring before 59½ will need a plan to cover expenses until those funds are accessible. Taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRA contributions (which can be withdrawn…

Key Takeaways As you’d expect, Americans ages 45-54 have saved considerably more than younger people, but far less than those closer to retirement. Catch-up contributions and retirement planning are essential for those in their 40s and 50s. Pay off high-interest debt and adjust savings allocations to secure financial stability. Consider ramping up your savings with one of today’s best high-yield savings accounts or a top nationwide CD. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. What the Average American Has Saved by Age 45-54 (and How You Stack Up) As you approach or move through your 50s, how…

Key Takeaways Creating and sticking to a budget helps you understand your income and identify opportunities to save or invest. Building an emergency fund and paying off high-interest debt are key steps to financial stability and resilience. As you approach your 40s, ramp up retirement contributions and review insurance coverage to protect your income and long-term goals. You’ve probably been hearing it since you took on your first job: Manage your money! Don’t just work for it, make it work for you. Now you’re in your 30s and realizing that you never really got around to it. But it’s not…

Stock futures pointed higher Wednesday after major indexes ended lower yesterday, while gold futures continued their ascent after surpassing $4,000 per ounce for the first time.  Futures associated with the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.2% apiece after the indexes closed down a respective 0.7%, 0.4%, and 0.2% Tuesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 snapping a seven-session winning streak. With the U.S. government shutdown now in its second week, investors will be paying attention Wednesday afternoon to the minutes of last month’s Federal Reserve meeting, at which the central bank cut interest rates for the first time this…

Question: I want to retire, but I have to keep working so my adult kids have insurance. What are my options?Answer: You may reach a point when you’re ready to retire and embrace that next phase of life. And if you’re confident in the amount of savings you have, there shouldn’t be much stopping you.But what if you have adult kids who rely on you for health insurance? 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 the best of expert…

Equity compensation is now one of the most powerful drivers of wealth for today’s professionals, yet it’s also one of the least understood.Once reserved for top executives and startup insiders, stock-based pay is now a regular feature in compensation packages at many high-growth companies. The challenge? Few employees know how to adeptly navigate the complexity of equity compensation packages.Between vesting schedules, tax rules and the risk of having too much tied up in a single stock, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or worry you’re leaving money on the table. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter,…

Retirees worried about running out of money are often on the lookout for investments that can help them stretch their dollars.They have plenty of options to choose from, including stocks, bonds, annuities and CDs. But one investment option retirees and pre-retirees may overlook — or be unaware of — is preferred bank stocks that pay dividends.These can give a nice boost to your retirement income and are one more way to diversify your portfolio as you work to get the most out of your retirement savings. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor.…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.This article is an on-site version of our Unhedged newsletter. Premium subscribers can sign up here to get the newsletter delivered every weekday. Standard subscribers can upgrade to Premium here, or explore all FT newslettersGood morning. Gold passed $4,000 yesterday. Unhedged has speculated that it is now a momentum trade, untethered from fundamentals, and argued that at this price it might offer weak long-term real returns. In the short term, though, with real interest rates falling, geopolitical tensions persistent and “gold-plated Fomo”…

A sold sign is posted in front of a home for sale on Aug. 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California.Justin Sullivan | 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.Real estate investors, both individual and institutional, bought one-third of all single-family residential properties sold in the second quarter of 2025. That is an increase from…