Author: Money Mechanics

Disclosure: The information on this page is for education only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. CPIInflationCalculator.com may earn commissions from partner links. Precious metals carry risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consult a licensed financial advisor and a tax professional before acting. If inflation is eating away at your portfolio, one investment you may have looked at is precious metals. Physical metals are known to be a good hedge against inflation and paper markets, but which precious metal should you invest in: gold or silver? In this article, we’ll cover…

Wages are up 4.1% year over year, while asking rents are up 2.6% and mortgage-payment growth has slowed to roughly 0% amid declining mortgage rates and a slowdown in home prices. Wages are up 4.1% year over year, outpacing gains in asking rents and mortgage payments, which are up a respective 2.6% and 0.2%. That’s a reversal from the pandemic moving frenzy, when growth in housing costs—particularly mortgage payments—far outpaced growth in wages. Please note that asking rent  data and wage data cover rolling three-month periods, the most recent of which is the three months ending August 2025. Mortgage payment…

Key Takeaways The number of Canadians searching for homes in the U.S. on Redfin was down 20% last month.Searches have dropped significantly from 2024, starting in February, when Trump announced a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. (It’s now 35%.)The biggest decline? Searches for West Palm Beach, Florida, a popular location for Canadians looking to buy winter vacation homes.A Gallup survey found over 4 in 5 Canadians disapprove of U.S. leadership, the most since Trump’s first term. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policy could be what’s pushing Canadian homebuyers to look outside the U.S. for homes. The number of Canadians searching…

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…