Author: Money Mechanics

Apple introduced a new iPhone just a few days ago. Some Wall Street analysts are already waiting for the next one. Tech giant Apple’s (AAPL) biggest update from this week’s new iPhone 17 lineup was a thinner model, which some analysts said exceeded muted expectations—but still left many fans waiting for more.  “The iPhone Air is truly differentiated, sleeker, and thinner in-person than we expected,” said Morgan Stanley analysts, who came away from the event calling it a “small positive surprise.” Still, they and others suggested that more highly anticipated updates expected next year could provide a bigger catalyst for…

Key Takeaways While most Americans consider $1.5 million to be the “magic number” that they need to save in order to retire, experts advise saving more than that. One reason why more than $1.5 million is needed is due to expenses such as healthcare, inflation, and unforeseen costs. Those looking to retire early should consider either continuing to work in some capacity or being more aggressive with their savings during their working years. According to Northwestern Mutual, the average American thinks they need to save $1.26 million by age 65 in order to retire comfortably. Last year, that figure was…

Key Takeaways Brokerage commissions, bid-ask spreads, and taxes steadily erode your returns, even when your stock picks look smart on paper. Buffett’s decade‑long $1 million bet proved the point. A low‑cost S&P 500 index fund beat a hand-picked basket of hedge funds by almost four‑to‑one between 2008 and 2017. Skill is rare, costs are certain. While some research suggests frequent trading can be rational, Buffett counters that “the great majority of managers who attempt to over‑perform will fail.” You may have heard that most day traders lose money over time, and that passive index investing is the way to go.…

Key Takeaways An uncapped 401(k) match means employers match contributions without a fixed ceiling—up to plan and IRS limits.The IRS sets annual contribution limits for employees and employers combined in 401(k) plans.Employers may use vesting schedules that delay full ownership of matched contributions.Some employers adjust match amounts based on company performance metrics or financial conditions. With an employer match, your employer contributes a certain amount to your 401(k) plan based on how much you contribute. That is, the employer matches your contribution, up to a certain percentage. Many employers will cap their employer match at a certain percentage of your…

Key Takeaways The traditional retirement model at 65 is no longer the norm. Many workers today retire in stages, sometimes referred to as phased or micro-retirements. Working in retirement is increasingly common, whether through part-time jobs, consulting, or passion projects. There is no one “right” way to retire. Use tools like lifestyle audits, vision planning, financial modeling, and test driving to create the retirement of your dreams. Retirement is transitioning away from a one-size-fits-all milestone. As life expectancy increases, pensions dwindle, and an increasing number of Americans worry about outliving their savings, the concept of retirement is evolving away from…

Key Takeaways Booming AI demand this week sent Oracle’s stock to a record high not long after reports that the computing giant laid off hundreds of workers. Several other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon have recently cut jobs to lower costs while spending billions on AI expansion.Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has told employees that Amazon expects to operate with a smaller headcount in the coming years as AI advances. When business is surging, companies often expand their workforces to handle demand. That’s not what’s happening lately at some of America’s biggest tech companies. Oracle’s (ORCL) booming AI-driven backlog sent its…

To help you understand the trends surrounding AI and other new technologies and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe.) You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…It usually takes a while for small businesses to adopt new technology. Compared to larger firms, smalls have tighter budgets and fewer employees to roll out…

On Friday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Tesla Inc. TSLA CEO Elon Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, saying the billionaire prioritized firing workers over slashing waste, fraud and abuse, undermining the initiative’s original mission.Lutnick: Musk Took The Wrong Lesson From TwitterSpeaking on the premiere of The Axios Show, Lutnick said Musk applied his Twitter-style playbook to the federal government, cutting jobs aggressively but achieving little in terms of meaningful savings.”I thought Elon got caught up in other people’s objectives,” Lutnick said. “The focus should have been on cutting the waste, fraud and abuse and the…

In an era marked by intensifying wildfires, rising seas, and increasingly severe weather, climate change may be transforming how America looks and lives — and soon, how municipalities borrow to grapple with the evolving realities of a changing environment. Even though the science is clear about climate change and the costs are mounting, the evolution of the municipal bond markets seems slow across the nation. However, for investors in municipal debt, this disconnect raises a critical question: How long can climate risk go unpriced for their risk appetite? In this article, we will take a closer look at the impact…

Scott Bessent, U.S. treasury secretary, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6, 2025.Bonnie Cash | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe search for the next Federal Reserve chair is continuing, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent taking point in meeting with several candidates on President Donald Trump’s short list.In recent days, Bessent has met with former Fed officials Lawrence Lindsey, Kevin Warsh and James Bullard, a Treasury source told CNBC’s Steve Liesman. Lindsey and Warsh both served as governors, and Bullard was president of the St. Louis Fed.Bessent will wait until the blackout period that surrounds…