Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Automatic individual retirement accounts or auto-IRAs automatically enroll workers without 401(k)s into retirement accounts funded by payroll deductions.More than 20 states have passed or are considering laws to provide auto-IRAs.For workers, auto-IRAs offer the simplicity of “set it and forget it” savings—removing the paperwork and guesswork that often keeps people from starting. An auto-IRA is a state-run program that automatically enrolls eligible workers if their employer doesn’t offer a plan. Contributions are deducted directly from paychecks, usually starting at 3% to 5% of wages, and placed into investments like target-date funds or bonds. For workers, this removes the…

Key Takeaways Holiday finances may be tight after tariffs take effect on the heels of years of price increases, Dollar Tree CEO Michael Creedon said Wednesday.Other discounters have also said they’re doing more business with higher-income households who are “trading down.”PwC research suggests that American shoppers may scale back their holiday-season spending, trimming their outlay on gifts, this year. American consumers could feel pinched this holiday season. Prices have risen significantly over the past four-plus years, and tariffs will likely exacerbate this trend this year, Dollar Tree (DLTR) CEO Michael Creedon Jr. said on a conference call Wednesday. Families with…

Since I am allegedly writing about the intersection of the bond market and economics, I need to periodically check in with what is happening in the bond market itself. (Since I am not plugging financial forecasts, I do not have the pressing need to point out how brilliant my calls are — or why the markets are wrong — which is a constant source for articles for most other commentators.) When we look at the figure above, it appears that nothing interesting is happening in the U.S. Treasury market from a big picture point of view. The 2-/10-year curve is…

Charlie Munger, the former Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) vice chair and Warren Buffett’s long-time right-hand man, argued that investors must be prepared for a brutal reality: If you can’t stomach a 50% decline in your portfolio, you’ll never achieve exceptional results. While many hope for an easy path to wealth, Munger’s rule remains one of the most straightforward and most challenging tests for anyone serious about investing in stocks over the long term. The 50% Drop Test That Separates Winners From Losers “You can argue that if you’re not willing to react with equanimity to a market price decline…

“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary once shared a story about how Steve Jobs’s passion for fonts helped turn “The Oregon Trail” series of strategy computer games into an educational hit and gave him a business lesson he still uses today.When Jobs Geeking Out Over Fonts Changed EverythingO’Leary recalled in a social media post last month that Jobs personally convinced his team to rewrite The Oregon Trail for the Macintosh by showing off scalable fonts that made screens look artistic and almost “organic.””I saw it with my own eyes, Jobs was obsessed with fonts,” O’Leary wrote. “Scalable, artistic, educational — he…

In-brief analysis September 3, 2025 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis based on International Energy Agency, Global Trade Tracker, and VortexaNote: LNG=liquefied natural gas. figure data Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both Russia’s natural gas and coal exports have declined when compared with 2021. Russian exports to Europe have decreased most notably due to a mix of European sanctions and other policies aimed at reducing reliance on Russian energy. Russia has partially offset the decrease in natural gas and coal exports to European markets by increasing exports to…

The number of homeowner households fell 0.1% year over year in the second quarter—a small decline, but the first since 2016. Meanwhile, the number of renter households rose 2.6%—one of the biggest increases in recent years. The number of homeowner households in America fell 0.1% year over year to an estimated 86.2 million in the second quarter. While that’s a marginal decline, it’s the first since 2016.  By comparison, the number of renter households rose 2.6% to an estimated 46.4 million—one of the largest increases in recent years. This is based on a Redfin analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.…

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET to learn more about smartphones: Add us as a preferred source on Google.OnePlus is holding yet another Back to School sales event for its flagship phone, the OnePlus 13. Right now, if you purchase either the 256GB or the 512GB OnePlus 13, you’ll receive a free OnePlus Watch 2 (normally $300) in either Radiant Steel (gray) or Black Steel — your choice. If you don’t want the wearable, you can instead receive a Wood Grain Magnetic Half-pack Case for free.Be aware that the OnePlus Watch 2 gift has a strict 700-unit limit. Once all 700 smartwatches are gone, the…

Will Private Markets be more prevalent in 401(k) asset allocation strategies going forward?getty Private market investments have long played a key role in institutional portfolios, helping endowments and pension funds pursue higher returns, broader diversification and reduced correlation with public markets. As defined contribution (DC) plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s have become the primary retirement savings vehicle for most Americans, some plan sponsors are now asking whether it’s time to follow suit. The recent executive orders signed by President Trump (including the most recent, “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors,” released August 7, 2025), along with announcements from…

Key Takeaways Tariffs are pushing up prices across the country, squeezing household budgets, according to a report by the Federal Reserve.Consumers facing tariff price pressures are cutting back spending in many places, leading companies to cut back hiring.The “Beige Book” report could amplify concerns about the job market among Fed policymakers and push the central bank to cut its key interest rate to boost the economy. Economy’s main pillars—employment and consumer spending—are both straining under the weight of tariffs, according to a report from the Federal Reserve.Tariffs are pushing up prices across the country. In response, companies are freezing hiring,…