Author: Money Mechanics

Florida’s property insurer of last resort Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is anticipating lower reinsurance costs in 2026, as its policy count and exposure-base has continued to decrease meaning less limit is likely to be needed, while there is an expectation of improved market conditions due to softening that may persist.During a lengthy set of committee and board meetings held today, the leadership and staff of Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation discussed the successful depopulation trends that are continuing, with private market insurers taking on a growing number of property insurance policies. We reported back in June that Florida Citizens has…

Four of last month’s most expensive sales were in coastal Florida, and one was a Beverly Hills estate previously home to billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso.  A Beverly Hills estate previously owned by billionaire real estate magnate and 2022 Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso was the most expensive home sale of August, fetching $48 million. It’s followed by a new-construction mansion in Greenwich, CT, which fetched $44 million.  Also among last month’s most expensive sales: a coastal compound in Miami Beach previously owned by Rosie O’Donnell, and an oceanfront Kauai property that Julia Roberts once called home.  All…

When is October Prime Day 2025? This year, Amazon’s October Prime Day sale runs on October 7 and October 8. The annual sale will last for two days in the fall, and you can expect to see a range of deals on household goods, tech gadgets, and electronics, including laptops, PCs, and headphones. Are headphones really cheaper on Prime Day? Yes, you can find headphones at discounted prices during Prime Day. I spend a lot of time testing headphones and tracking their retail and discounted prices. All of the headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers included in this list are discounted from their original…

Cryptocurrencies have been surging in popularity for over 15 years. There are a variety of avenues through which clients can secure blockchain wealth, and the means by which a digital asset enters your portfolio is just as important as the asset’s value.  Because the digital corner of finance is still relatively new, many clients are blindsided by how assets like Bitcoin and NFTs are reported on returns. Knowing how the IRS defines different assets is essential to digital investing and trading. Key Takeaways Digital assets are most commonly classified as property, not income.When cryptocurrency is exchanged as payment for a…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes were little changed in recent trading, after snapping a record-setting streak yesterday.Lithium Americas shares took off following a report the Trump administration may take a stake in the company.Alibaba shares jumped after the Chinese tech giant said it plans to boost its expenditures on AI. Major U.S. equities indexes were little changed in recent trading, after snapping a record-setting streak yesterday. Lithium Americas (LAC) shares soared following a report the Trump administration may take an up to 10% stake in lithium project developer. Shares of Albemarle (ALB), the biggest U.S. lithium producer, also gained.…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Alibaba is reportedly planning to spend even more on AI in the next three years than the $53 billion it said previously, marking the latest announcement by a large tech firm to spend big on the technology.The Chinese tech firm’s CEO announced the AI spending plan, according to reports, just days after Nvidia said it would invest $100 billion in OpenAI. China’s top tech firm is spending even more than it originally planned on AI, turning up the heat on U.S. chip giants like Nvidia (NVDA) in the race to dominate the technology. Alibaba Group Holdings (BABA) CEO…

Key Takeaways Howie Buffett is a philanthropist, farmer, and the middle child of Warren Buffett. After Warren dies, Howie is set to become Berkshire Hathaway’s non-executive chairman. Warren trusts Howie, who has sat on the boards of multiple companies, to preserve Berkshire’s culture and look after its shareholders. Howie plans to keep things as they are, but some predict he may be forced to break up the company. Warren Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway from a failing textile company into a sprawling conglomerate worth nearly $1 trillion. Now he’s 94 and the time to pass the reins is nearing, with one…

Key Takeaways Shares of Lithium Americas soared following a report that the U.S. may take up to a 10% stake in the firm.The lithium mine developer is working with General Motors to build the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada to boost domestic production of the metal used in rechargeable batteries. Lithium Americas (LAC) shares skyrocketed Wednesday after a report that the Trump administration is looking to take as much as a 10% stake in the lithium project developer. The company’s stock was recently up more than 90%. Shares of General Motors (GM), which is partnering with Lithium Americas to build…

Key Takeaways The percentage of people living paycheck to paycheck increased 4% from 2024 to 2025, with 67% of Americans struggling financially, a new report said. People face challenges paying for higher costs of living caused by tariffs, inflation, an uncertain job market, and unaffordable housing. To get away from living paycheck to paycheck, prioritize debt repayment and fund an emergency savings account. A 2025 financial wellness study that looks at what employees value found that 67% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. That’s up from 63% in 2024, according to the PNC Bank Financial Wellness in the Workplace…

Question: I hear REITs are one of the best ways to get income from investing, especially in retirement. Should I buy them or are they too much of a headache?Answer: It’s a done deal. The Federal Reserve lowered the targeted fed funds rate to 4.00% to 4.25% at its September meeting and indicated that it will likely chop off another half percent before year’s end. The days of high interest rates are drawing to a close.Money market rates are now trending lower, and the dividend yield on the S&P 500 is hovering near all-time lows. If you’re an investor looking…