Author: Money Mechanics

Three key dominant trends have been revealed following a record period of catastrophe bond issuance according to Richard Pennay, CEO, Aon Securities, the specialist investment banking and insurance-linked securities (ILS) broker-dealer unit of the global insurance and reinsurance broker.In its latest ILS annual report, Aon Securities found that 12-month catastrophe bond issuance over the period to June 30th 2025 reached $21.7 billion, a record high. However, as we’d previously reported, the 12-month run-rate for cat bond issuance could be even higher if you looked at a different period, as we counted just slightly under $23 billion of issuance between August…

Key Takeaways Open and early conversations about money—covering income, debts, credit, and financial expectations—are crucial for avoiding misunderstandings in relationships, especially when there’s a big wealth gap.Prenuptial agreements aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy; they can protect both partners by clearly outlining how assets would be divided in case of divorce or death.Trusts, wills, and estate planning can help couples—celebrity or not—pass on wealth smoothly and avoid future legal or family disputes.Partners should align on how to manage debt, set spending expectations, and plan for big financial decisions like home ownership or property taxes.Insurance, investment goals, and family plans—including children and…

Key Takeaways Many states have introduced AI-related legislation in the mid-2020s. The companies most exposed include Meta Platforms Inc. (META), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)—all of which are facing multistate regulatory challenges that could impact their profits. Big Tech’s dreams of generating major profits from AI with minimal supervision were dealt a significant blow in 2025, after Republican efforts in Congress to halt individual states’ regulation of the sector for 10 years were defeated. States can now pursue their own AI restrictions, though a July 2025 “AI Action Plan” from the White House threatened federal…

Scientists are fleeing Elon Musk‘s X platform in unprecedented numbers, with alternative social media site Bluesky emerging as the new hub for scholarly communication. Mass Migration Accelerates After Musk ChangesA January poll by Nature revealed that over half of 5,300 respondents, primarily scientists, have abandoned X amid dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership and policy changes.The exodus accelerated following loosened content moderation policies under Tesla Inc. TSLA CEO Musk’s ownership.Check out the current price of TSLA stock here. Research Shows 10x Higher Engagement RatesAccording to a report by the Observer, a University of Sheffield and Renmin University study found Bluesky delivers dramatically superior engagement…

Key Takeaways As you’d expect, Americans ages 35-44 have more saved than people younger than 35, but less than their older counterparts. Your age, your financial situation, your goals, and other factors determine your ability to save. Automating savings and taking advantage of work benefits can help boost your savings. One of today’s best high-yield savings accounts or a top nationwide CD can also help maximize your savings. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. What the Average American Has Saved by Age 35-44 (and How You Stack Up) If you’re in your 30s or 40s, you…

The market cap of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) is about $1 trillion.Its equity portfolio – concentrated in blue chip stocks Apple (AAPL), American Express (AXP), Coca-Cola (KO), Bank of America (BAC) and Chevron (CVX) – is worth about $250 billion. Subtract Berkshire’s cash and cash equivalents of about $350 billion and that means the core operations’ contribution to Berkshire’s market value comes to about $600 billion.This is a rough way of looking at Berkshire, but it goes to the point of Buffett being a master capital allocator. The company’s market value reflects more than $600 billion in operating businesses,…

Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series on retiring abroad. To see all the articles in the series, jump to the end.Boracay, Palawan, El Nido — this is the stuff of sophisticated travelers’ dreams, for their endless sandy beaches, colorful reef diving, turquoise waters teeming with marine life, secret coves, and limestone towers called karsks that rise from the Sula Sea. However, the Philippines, a sprawling archipelago nation located in Southeast Asia and home to 110 million people — the 12th most populous country on the planet — is also an affordable place to retire, with relatively…

Marriage may be the union of two people becoming one — but in retirement, that math doesn’t work.In this instance, one becomes two. That’s because every financial decision you make with your retirement savings doesn’t just affect you. It affects your spouse, too. And the two of you likely won’t share the same timeline, health needs. or lifestyle preferences as you age.Planning for two lives introduces complexity. And not all couples are on the same page. According to a 2024 Fidelity Investments study, more than half (53%) of couples who haven’t yet retired disagree on how much they’ll need to…

As Americans continue to grapple with inflation, many are stretching their budgets or racking up credit card charges to provide their children what they need to get the school year started.According to a report from NerdWallet, parents are expected to spend an average of $741 on clothing, supplies and books. That’s $200 more than last year, and some parents say they’re not ready for it.A recent Credit Karma survey found 25% of parents are starting with no savings set aside for back-to-school shopping. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE…

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been under significant pressure from the White House to cut interest rates.Pretty much every modern president would prefer to serve in a low-rate environment, but none has been as vocal about that desire as President Donald Trump.Weaker economic data that has recently come to light via a revision and a messenger shot (metaphorically, of course), mean that the president might get his wish in September. 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…