Author: Money Mechanics

Ugreen Nexode 100W retractable USB-C cable ZDNET’s key takeaways Compact, palm-size design that extends out to 1 meter/3.3 feet The cable is E-marker chipped to handle up to 100W The retractor reel is strong and can withstand 28kg/56lb. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Cables are a source of never-ending frustration. Despite taking the time to carefully and methodically wrap them after each and every use using the over-under method, they always come out of my laptop bag looking like a deranged bird’s nest. This leads to unwanted frustration, wasted time, and far too much tearing of hair.I’ve tried…

Data storage stocks are racking up gains. Shares of several data storage providers rallied Monday, extending a surge in recent weeks. A big reason? AI-driven demand that has sent tech-stock investors looking for opportunity in a range of segments that offer the potential for growth. Western Digital (WDC) reportedly sent a letter to customers on Friday raising prices on its hard disk drives on the “unprecedented demand” it’s seeing in the AI era, pulled along by data-center growth. Shares of the hardware maker added almost 5% to close at a record high Monday. So did those of Sandisk (SNDK), which…

Key Takeaways The Fed is expected to cut rates this week, but whether it does or not, the three biggest banks are still the lowest-paying places to keep your savings. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all pay just 0.01% on savings—essentially nothing compared with the 4%–5% APYs offered by the top high-yield savings accounts. Even modest balances see a big difference. At $10,000, the gap between a 0.01% account and a 4.50% account is about $449 in interest per year. Smaller FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions are just as safe as the biggest banks, and you can…

An appeals court has ruled against President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the appeals court upheld a ruling that would allow Cook to keep her position while her lawsuit against him works its way through the court system. Unless the Supreme Court steps in, Cook would be able to vote in this week’s meeting, which starts Tuesday. Cook is suing Trump to keep her position at the central bank. In late August, Trump terminated Cook, saying she committed mortgage fraud. Cook said her…

Key Takeaways Failing to plan for health care can ravage your retirement finances and even family relationships. A typical 65-year-old couple will need about $330,000 for health care in retirement, according to Fidelity. Medicare covers only part of medical costs and provides little help with long-term care. Long-term care can cost more than $100,000 a year and quickly drain savings. Most Americans are woefully unprepared for the true cost of health care in retirement. Fidelity estimates that a 65-year-old couple needs about $330,000 saved to cover medical expenses in retirement, excluding long-term care, which can add hundreds of thousands more.…

Key Takeaways The average retired household spends around $5,000 per month, with housing, healthcare, and food being the largest expense categories.With a median 401(k) balance of $210,724, retirees relying on the 4% withdrawal rule and Social Security benefits often face a shortfall in covering monthly costs.Retirees can bridge the gap by boosting savings, delaying retirement, cutting discretionary expenses, or exploring additional income sources like part-time work or rental properties. One of the most pressing questions individuals face is: How much money will I need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle once I stop working? To answer that question, you have to…

Key Takeaways The Senate has voted to confirm Stephen Miran, a White House economic advisor, to a seat on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors.Critics of Miran’s appointment say it undermines the central bank’s independence from political influence.Trump has pressured the Fed to lower interest rates dramatically despite concerns that tariffs push inflation. The Senate has voted to confirm President Donald Trump’s appointee to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, clearing the way for him to vote at a key interest rate policy meeting later this week.The Senate approved Stephen Miran in a 48-47 party vote, giving him a place…

Stocks notched comfortable gains Monday as market participants cheered President Donald Trump’s upbeat commentary on U.S.-China trade negotiations. Market participants also looked ahead to this week’s Fed meeting, where the central bank is expected to issue its first rate cut of the year.At the close, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was up 0.9% at 22,348 and the broader S&P 500 had added 0.5% to 6,615 – new record closing highs – while the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average tacked on 0.1% to 45,883.Trade talks between top officials from the United States and China continued for a second day today, with…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.No listed Nordic company has ever raised more capital in one go than Ørsted, which on Monday launched a DKr60bn ($9.4bn) rights issue. What’s more, Ørsted is doing so at a time of unprecedented turbulence in the renewable energy industry. Its bankers will want to make sure that they’re not left holding the bag.The Danish power group is raising money equivalent to more than 70 per cent of its current market capitalisation, printing new shares at a huge discount. The price of DKr66.6…

Medicare generally covers the COVID-19 vaccine, including all updated versions, at no cost to beneficiaries. However, some people have been charged or turned away due to recent issues with pharmacy billing and system updates, as well as a delay between the FDA’s and CDC’s formal recommendations.Here’s what Medicare beneficiaries need to know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine this fall.Does Medicare cover COVID-19 vaccinations?Medicare’s coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine falls under Medicare Part B, which also covers other preventive vaccines like the flu and pneumonia shots. This means you should not have to pay a copay, deductible, or any other out-of-pocket…