Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)While the market is improving, millennials and Gen-Zers have faced a difficult path to homeownership.For the first time in modern history, these two generations are among the first to be financially worse off than their parents at the same stage of life. Factors such as record-high home prices, lingering inflation and mounting debt, specifically from student loans and credit cards, have created significant challenges for first-time buyers.In 2025, nearly 27% of Gen-Zers nationwide owned their homes, according to a report from Axios. That rate nearly doubled for millennials with slightly more than 55% owning their homes. However,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The Great Wealth Transfer is estimated to comprise $124 trillion in assets by 2048, according to the CFA Institute.Now that we are over halfway there, we can see how differently the new wave of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) Millennials approaches investing, saving and overall values around wealth compared to previous generations.Baby Boomers, for example, have been known to value legacy, privacy and long-term stewardship. As a result, their wealth plans have been rooted in building wealth through hard work and typically lean towards structured estate planning and cautious investments. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Many financial decisions come down to one core question: How do you enjoy life today without limiting your options for the future?That balance often shows up in everyday choices — the vacations you plan, the conveniences you invest in, the home updates you take on and the milestones you want to celebrate. These decisions reflect your values and the life you’re building, but each carries a trade-off.Without a clear strategy, lifestyle spending can quietly crowd out long-term goals, just as being overly cautious can prevent you from enjoying opportunities you’re well positioned to afford. From just $107.88…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The clients of our firm worked for their money. I cannot think of a single client who inherited a meaningful chunk of their net worth. There are things we do for all of them to protect what they have built — if that’s the intent.The list that follows is somewhat anecdotal, but it is my attempt to capture the significant, but addressable, risks to wealth that I have seen thousands of very successful retirees ignore time and time again.1. Estate planning There is a rule of thumb that says that you should review and possibly update your…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: We still work at 65 and have $2.6 million saved. One daughter married an attorney with a $600k income. The other married a teacher earning $80k. They’re both stay-at-home moms to toddlers. How do we help our less wealthy child without creating resentment?Answer: As a parent, it’s natural to want to treat your children fairly. That includes not favoring one over the other. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.If you’re still working at 65 and have a $2.6 million nest egg, you may have the flexibility to assist your adult children both now and in…

Student wearing a calculator graduation cap. Student loan, finance and educatiom concept. Vector illustration.(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)Federal student loans are undergoing an overhaul. Starting July 1, new students who take out a loan will have fewer repayment-plan options, and some families who already have loans will be forced to select a different repayment plan.Parents who take out federal loans to help their children pay for college may be subject to new borrowing limits. And for those starting a new graduate or professional degree, Graduate PLUS loans will no longer be available. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Global Economy myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.The writer is an FT contributing editor, a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, and author of a forthcoming book on globalisationIn the Strait of Hormuz, tankers have been burning, along with what remains of the post-1945 American-led order. Meanwhile, the IMF’s new baseline forecast for global growth this year is exactly the same as it was six months ago and stock prices have gone up. The contrast between a world order on fire and a world economy on autopilot is glaring.…

Tokenization is shaping into a foundation for the next wave of financial system development. Experts and analysts discussed it at the World Economic Forum, while major financial institutions like Deutsche Bank expect tokenization to fully take over issuance and trading in capital markets by 2030.  What does it mean for the global financial system? I believe this is a sign that a new blueprint for financial architecture is emerging. In the early stages, tokenization is likely to cover precious metals, with gold, in particular, becoming a foundational layer within the digital infrastructure. How Tokens Become a Layer of the Financial…

We’re seeing a small spring rebound, with new listings of homes for sale ticking up. New listings of U.S. homes for sale rose 3% year over year during the four weeks ending April 19, the biggest increase since November.  Pending home sales fell 1.2% year over year, the smallest decline in about a month. Mortgage-purchase applications rose 10% week over week.  Some home sellers and buyers have entered the market as mortgage rates decline. The weekly average mortgage rate fell to 6.3% from 6.46% two weeks earlier, bringing the median monthly housing payment down 1.4% year over year. Additionally, there…

(Oil & Gas 360) By Greg Barnett, MBA – Texas has LNG export terminals. Louisiana has many. The United States is now the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Mississippi, despite its Gulf Coast location and long history with energy infrastructure, has none. At first glance, that absence appears anomalous. Mississippi sits between two LNG powerhouses, has access to major interstate natural gas pipelines, maintains an industrial coastline, and operates in a regulatory environment that has traditionally welcomed large‑scale energy development. Yet no LNG export plant operates within its borders today. The reason is not regulatory rejection, political opposition, or…