Author: Money Mechanics

On this episode of The Option Block with Mark Longo, Uncle Mike  Tosaw (St. Charles Wealth Management), and Henry The Flowmaster Schwartz (Cboe) discuss the week’s market volatility, noting the S&P 500’s post-Labor Day sell-off and subsequent rebound. The hosts analyze overall market sentiment, paying close attention to the VIX and specific sector movements. In the Odd Block, they break down unusual options flow in NiSource (NI), MobileEye (MBLY), and ArcelorMittal (MT). A listener’s question prompts a discussion on the challenges of obtaining real-time open interest data from OCC. The episode concludes with the hosts outlining the key events and…

Key Takeaways The United States Postal Service loses billions of dollars annually, which has prompted calls from President Trump to privatize the organization.Privatization could result in higher costs, slower deliveries, and reduced services, particularly in rural areas where affordable options are already limited.While Amazon relies on the USPS for its last-mile deliveries, it is expanding its own logistics network to reduce dependency.Transforming the USPS into a private entity may remedy its financial issues but risks undermining its role in providing affordable and equitable service nationwide. Privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been a controversial topic for years, gaining…

If you have cash to spend in retirement but are reluctant to, don’t be. You’ve earned the right to enjoy what you’ve worked hard to achieve.That doesn’t mean blowing it on lavish vacations and designer goods, but it does mean using your savings in well-thought-out and meaningful ways that benefit you and your family.“If you have done a great job saving and investing, do an even better job of enjoying or celebrating,” says Denny Artache, president and CEO of Artache Financial Group. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE…

Stocks opened higher Friday as market participants cheered a bad-news-is-good-news jobs report. But the main indexes quickly turned lower once the reality of a slowing labor market settled in, with a mixed round of late-season earnings reports not helping to shift sentiment.Ahead of the open, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the U.S. added 22,000 in August, missing economists’ estimate for 75,000 new positions. Figures for June were revised down by 27,000, from +14,000 to -13,000, while July job growth was upwardly revised by 6,000 (from 73,000 to 79,000 additions).With these revisions, the U.S. added 21,000 fewer jobs in June…

Medicare beneficiaries in ten states will soon be participating in a new prior authorization program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing a five-year demonstration project for prior authorization of certain services provided in Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), starting in December 2025. The targeted services are procedures that can be medically necessary, but could also be considered cosmetic procedures.Previously, CMS instituted a similar prior authorization process for the same procedures in 2020. However, the 2020 scheme was nationwide and only applied to hospital outpatient department (OPD) services. This demonstration will only cover 10 states, including: California, Florida,…

Key Takeaways Employers can contribute to employee HSAs and FSAs, which help pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free.Enroll in a 401(k) to capture employer matching or use an ESPP for discounted company stock.Check for valuable workplace perks like tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and wellness reimbursements.Tax credits directly reduce what you owe at tax time—more impactful than deductions.Earn rewards on everyday spending with a credit card, but always pay your balance in full. The Powerball jackpot for Sept. 6, 2025, has ballooned to a staggering $1.8 billion, luring millions to dream of instant riches. But with odds of just 1 in…

If you’ve ever daydreamed about booking spontaneous getaways without worrying about airfare, Frontier Airlines’ GoWild! Pass might seem like the golden ticket.Right now, the pass is on sale for $299 a year (plus taxes and fees), the all-you-can-fly deal promises unlimited flights across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and more.But is it a true travel hack or just another too-good-to-be-true gimmick? Here’s what you need to know before signing up. 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…

Key Takeaways Kenvue’s stock slumped Friday after The Wall Street Journal reported federal officials plan to link use of one of its products, Tylenol, with autism.Kenvue said it has “continuously evaluated” Tylenol and believes there is no link between its active ingredient, acetaminophen, and autism.A number of other over-the-counter drugs contain acetaminophen, but their manufacturers’ stocks haven’t taken the same hit as Kenvue. Shares of Tylenol-maker Kenvue (KVUE) plunged over 9% Friday following a report that federal health officials may link use of the painkiller during pregnancy to autism. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to announce a report…

401(k)s, Google’s Alphabet and tariffs on luxury goods are subjects we’ve written about recently — but why? Test your knowledge of this week’s financial and business news.If you’ve been following Kiplinger, you should have no trouble. And if you slip up on an answer or two, you can follow the links below the quiz to refresh your memory.Stories making the newsRead more on the Kiplinger stories featured in our news quiz: 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…

Key Takeaways A new Redfin report suggests that the path back to more “normal” housing costs could happen by the end of the decade.The report says the median U.S. home could be as affordable as it was in 2018 by 2030 if home prices and incomes keep growing, and mortgage rates fall modestly.However, it could take longer in major metro areas even if mortgage rates fall to 5.5%. Homebuyers have faced a daunting real estate environment with high mortgage rates and ever-increasing home prices in recent years, but a recent report from real estate brokerage Redfin lays out how the…