Author: Money Mechanics

Your backyard barbecues are about to get more expensive than ever before, as beef—a longtime summer staple—is now considered a luxury.Thanks to years of drought conditions that reduced pasture quality and the screwworm outbreak that disrupted cattle in Mexico and the U.S. earlier this year, beef is a whopping $6.75 per pound, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.And if President Donald Trump doesn’t renew the United States–Mexico–Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, which governs cross-border cattle trade by July 1, supply chain issues could push beef prices even higher, just before July Fourth.This all comes…

For millions across the country, the 2026 midyear mark is as much a time for financial planning as it is for celebration. This summer marks America’s 250th birthday — a historic milestone for our country’s independence.But while the nation was founded on a rebellion against unfair taxes, tossing your computer into the nearest harbor probably wouldn’t work when it comes time to pay the IRS; December 31st is the final deadline for most 2026 tax year money moves.Instead, you might just want to look to the wisdom of founding father and financial thinker, Benjamin Franklin, this planning season. From just…

In mid-June, the Federal Reserve proposed new rules for stablecoins. The proposal calls for stablecoin issuers to verify customer identities before opening new accounts or redeeming tokens, effectively applying bank-style anti-money laundering standards to stablecoins. At first glance, this seems like bad news for Circle (NYSE: CRCL), the issuer of the USD Coin (CRYPTO: USDC) stablecoin. However, those tighter restrictions could actually strengthen USD Coin and make Circle a more compelling investment. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a “Double Down” signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that…

Risk in , the miners and especially was nosebleed high back in January. So much so that I added puts on (half expecting to get hammered) literally the day before the silver price imploded. Ah, luck. Gotta have it once in a while. From the start of 2026, we have been well aware of first the risk, and then the projected “multi-month” correction that tagged on to that risk. We have done the work to be positioned appropriately. But now, with the Semiconductor mania (I’ve released my final two positions, and ) in full swing, Semi (left) is gold (right)…

A historic Virginia lighthouse that has stood in the same spot for the past 135 years is now being offered up as a truly one-of-a-kind off-grid residence, having undergone an extraordinary renovation that saw the ocean structure transformed into a private retreat.Located in the Chesapeake Bay in Newport News, VA, the rare dwelling last changed hands in 2005, when it was bought at a government auction by its current owners for just $31,000. Since then, the property has been through an awe-inspiring journey, one that started with the two couples responsible for its restoration: Dan and Jackie Billingsley and Bob…

For decades, the 60/40 portfolio — allocating 60% to equities and 40% to fixed income — stood as the gold standard of wealth management.Its appeal was rooted in a simple and elegant idea: When stocks decline, bonds typically rise, creating a natural hedge that allows investors to “buy and hold” their way to long-term growth.However, for accredited investors — those with at least $1 million in investable assets — the financial landscape of 2026 has exposed the limitations of this static approach. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88…

Man uses calculator and laptop while sitting at desk to calculate contributions. Federal employees can use average TSP balance and similar metrics to help get a broad understanding of how they’re doing.GettyEmployees want to know how much they need to save and accumulate during their careers to avoid running out of money in retirement. Federal employees, in particular, want to know if they have accumulated enough in their Thrift Savings Plan accounts to have worry-free retirements. A good way to measure whether enough is being accumulated for retirement is to compare one’s account balance with the balances of other workers…

The death of a partner often forces a surviving spouse to face two challenging and conflicting timelines at once: The open-ended process of grief and the immediate reality of financial and tax deadlines and consequences.Chief among these is the so-called “widow’s penalty.”Despite the name, we’re not talking about an official IRS penalty or surcharge. Rather, the widow’s penalty is a series of tax and financial shifts that occur when a surviving spouse’s tax filing status changes from married filing jointly to single. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88…

When people step out of their working years and into retirement, they could still have a long journey ahead — perhaps longer than they ever imagined.Consider how much longer healthy individuals are living today compared with a century ago. For many people, retirement is far more than a brief chapter. It can stretch for decades, which means your planning needs to account for all those years if you want a fulfilling retirement rather than one weighed down by financial stress.One key to navigating this successfully is having a healthy perspective on accepting longevity. Rather than viewing a long retirement as…

You’ve done everything right. You saved diligently for decades, worked with a financial planner and built a retirement nest egg that should, by any measure, fund the life you’ve been dreaming about.So a few months in, why do so many new retirees find themselves feeling vaguely … restless?There’s a concept in psychology called the hedonic treadmill, and it may be the most important retirement planning topic no one is talking about. The idea is deceptively simple: Human beings have a powerful tendency to return to a stable baseline of happiness regardless of what happens to them, positive or negative. We…