Author: Money Mechanics

Forgotten second mortgages may be coming back to haunt homeowners who haven’t received notices or account statements for years. Some homeowners may have thought their second mortgages had been modified along with the first mortgage, discharged in bankruptcy, or forgiven. As home prices have increased and homeowners have paid down their first mortgages, some are facing foreclosure notices and payment demands from companies claiming to own or otherwise having the right to collect on these second or so-called zombie mortgages.The CFPB continues to receive consumer complaints related to these once thought by homeowners as resolved loans. Many homeowners allege that,…

On August 7, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order allowing 401(k) savers to access alternative assets in their retirement plans. That means that you could invest in companies that aren’t publicly traded, in some private real estate ventures and even in cryptocurrency. The move was applauded by the Labor Department as a means of expanding investment choices for savers and giving them more autonomy over their money. And many big names in the financial world support the change.BlackRock, for example, thinks private equity in 401(k)s could help millions of Americans enjoy better returns in their retirement plans. Introducing this…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. July 31, 2025 Federal Reserve Board joins other federal financial institution regulatory agencies in providing banks the flexibility to use an alternative method for collecting certain customer identification information For release at 2:30 p.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday joined other federal financial institution regulatory agencies, as well as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, in providing banks the flexibility to use an alternative method for collecting certain customer identification information. Specifically,…

(Oil & Gas 360) – Get ready for a powerhouse lineup of networking and entertainment at EnerCom Denver – The Energy Investment Conference, celebrating its 30th anniversary this August!   We’re kicking things off in style on Sunday, August 17 with the much-anticipated EnerCom Denver Charity Golf Tournament, proudly sponsored by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and EnerCom. Set against the stunning red rocks of Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, this tournament is more than a game, it’s a chance to change lives, a $150 donation per golfer supports IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education, helping students with intellectual disabilities thrive…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Since the beginning of the year, seven different IRS commissioners have been appointed to the role, which typically has a five-year term.Additional leadership and workforce turnover have been prevalent in the IRS as the Trump administration prioritizes reducing government spending.With the tax administration’s low numbers, experts have warned that the IRS will have delays and may be unable to complete a successful 2026 tax filing season. High turnover in the IRS’s leadership and workforce could delay tax administrative work during the next filing season, experts said. Since the beginning of the year, the IRS has had seven different…

Key Takeaways Saving for a wedding often takes a year or longer, so earning more interest on your money can help cover the costs. A high-yield savings account can earn 4–5%, which is 10–13 times higher than the national average of 0.38%. The best CDs also offer strong returns you can lock in for several months or longer, helping protect your rate if the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. The Hidden Cost of Keeping Your Wedding Fund in a Regular Savings Account Weddings are a significant expense, and they’re only…

Key Takeaways Annuities offer steady income and tax-deferred growth but often have high fees and limited investment options. Stocks can diversify your portfolio and provide substantial growth potential. Investors with low risk tolerance who want predictable income may prefer annuities. Investors with a longer time horizon and higher risk tolerance may benefit more from stocks. As retirement approaches, people and financial advisors don’t always see eye to eye on where to invest a lump sum: 64% of people ages 45–75 would invest $100,000 in an annuity rather than the stock market.62% of financial advisors recommend investing the money in stocks…

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is soaring out of the gate Friday after regulatory filings revealed Warren Buffett’s holding company, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), initiated a stake in the beaten-down Dow Jones stock in the second quarter.According to WhaleWisdom, Warren Buffett’s holding company bought a little more than 5 million UNH shares between April 1 and June 30, accounting for 0.6% of the Berkshire Hathaway equity portfolio and making it the 18th-largest position.The stake was worth a market value of $1.6 billion at the end of Q2. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign…

It’s been a good year for the financials sector. Between President Trump’s deregulatory platform and the anticipation of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates at its September meeting, financials have put together a strong performance. Its 8.55% year-to-date gain ranks fifth among all 11 sectors of the S&P 500. But that corner of the market is no longer reserved for banks, asset management companies, or payment processors.  The Trump administration has been equally bullish for crypto. Since Inauguration Day, Bitcoin (BTC) is up 20.10%, XRP (XRP) is up 44.05%, and Ethereum (ETH) is up 48.33%. And with the crypto industry…

Market Context: A Compression Before Time futures are trading at $3,381.7, holding steady within a razor-thin band ($3,375–$3,385) after declining from the August 7 high at $3,534.1. The market’s refusal to break below Daily Buy 1 ($3,376) and Weekly Buy 1 ($3,350) underscores the presence of firm demand. At the same time, rallies have stalled at the Daily Sell 1–2 levels ($3,393–$3,402), leaving the market trapped in a short-term stalemate. This compression is not random—it coincides with the closing arc of a 360-day Gann cycle anchored from September 28, 2024, placing just six weeks away from a major cyclical pivot…