Author: Money Mechanics

Social Security trust funds are running out of money, and the insolvency date is racing closer, in part due to President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax legislation.An analysis from the Office of the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration confirms what opponents of the megabill feared would happen. Trump’s 2025 reconciliation law accelerates the depletion of Social Security’s combined trust funds by nearly half a year, in early 2034 instead of late 2034.The findings, released in response to a request from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), note how several provisions in Trump’s so-called ‘big beautiful bill’ (OBBB) reduce revenue directed at…

Medicare Cost Increases for 2026 2025 projected cost 2026 projected cost Percent Increase Part B premium $185 $206.50 11.6% Part D base beneficiary premium $36.78 $38.99 6% Part B deductible $257 $288 12% Part D deductible $590 $615 4.2% Part D catastrophic threshold $2,000 $2,100 5% 2. Part D’s Catastrophic Threshold Is Going Up The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) instituted a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for people with Medicare Part D. This catastrophic threshold is similar to an out-of-pocket maximum in other health plans, but it just applies to prescription drugs. After you meet it, the plan pays 100%…

(Investing.com)– A U.S. court officer said on Monday an affiliate of hedge fund Elliott Investment Management made the best bid for the parent of Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum, against a group led by miner Gold Reserve previously recommended as the winner. Improved bids emerged in the final stages of the auction of PDV Holding, one of the parents of the seventh-largest U.S. refiner, following court decisions in parallel legal cases that encouraged new and improved offers. The evaluation by court officer Robert Pincus could lead to a new recommended winner if Gold Reserve’s subsidiary Dalinar Energy does not soon match…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Tesla’s sales in the European Union tumbled in July for a seventh consecutive month, while those of Chinese rival BYD’s soared.According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Tesla’s EU new car registrations, which serve as a proxy for sales, plunged 42.4% year-over-year, while those of BYD’s soared 206%.Tesla shares, which entered Thursday down 13% this year, are little changed in morning trading. Tesla’s (TSLA) sales in the European Union (EU) tumbled in July for a seventh consecutive month, while those of Chinese rival BYD’s soared. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Tesla’s EU new car registrations, which…

Morgan Stanley Analysts Bullish on Nvidia Outlook Just Now Nvidia’s (NVDA) outlook for the third quarter was met with a bullish reception from analysts at Morgan Stanley. The company at the center of the AI boom projected third-quarter revenue of $54 billion, plus or minus 2%, a record level but a tepid forecast versus estimates of around $53.8 billion. Nvidia issued its projection as it posted better-than-estimated second-quarter results, although key data center business revenue lagged forecasts. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $210 from $206 and kept its overweight call on the stock, saying Nvidia shares are…

As you move on from your job, the friendships you made — built on shared duties, coffee breaks, and office banter — often struggle to survive. That’s because you and your work friends share a common goal and often a shared language that only shows up at the office.Changes in life, remote and hybrid work, retirement, and shifts in daily routines can slowly erode workplace friendships, making you wonder why the connections that once felt so strong can unravel so quickly. Understanding why this happens may help you hold onto these connections, even after you’ve clocked out for the last…

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.3 percent in the second quarter of 2025 (April, May, and June), according to the second estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP decreased 0.5 percent.The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a decrease in imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, and an increase in consumer spending. These movements were partly offset by decreases in investment and exports.Real GDP was revised up 0.3 percentage point from the advance estimate, primarily reflecting upward revisions…

The market enters Week 35 with a downward price trend. The NGU25 contract expired 7% lower and NGV25 trades 5-7% below the 15-year average, while NGX25 hovers near the median. A robust 34 BCF storage gain for Week 34 (August 18-24) keeps fill rates above the five-year median, easing shortage risks with the pumping season underway. Cooler weather, with Week 35 HDD+CDD well below 30-year averages, further dampens prices by reducing air conditioning demand. Despite the fact that the supply-demand differential remains above the 10-year range due to strong production and recovering exports, market dynamics indicate ongoing pressure.Current prices vs. price…

American Debt Relief (www.americandebtrelief.com) is a California-based debt relief company that focuses primarily on debt settlement services. Their approach is similar to many for-profit settlement firms: negotiate with creditors to reduce balances owed on unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. The company markets itself as a way to resolve debt in two to four years. While some clients have positive experiences, others report concerns about customer service and expectations not being fully met. Based on what I have seen, American Debt Relief can work for certain consumers, but it is important to compare them against consistently…

Key Takeaways: Legendary investor Charlie Munger called the first $100,000 difficult to earn but pointed out how compound growth makes all your future gains easier. It takes 9.5 years to save $100,000 if you’re putting away $650 per month at an average 7% annualized return. After that decade, it only takes just under two and a half more to become a millionaire, showing the speed of growth under compound interest once you save six figures. Legendary investor Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s longtime business partner at Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B), understood the psychology of wealth building better than most. “The…