Author: Money Mechanics

Who doesn’t love strolling cobblestone streets after a hearty meal of shrimp and grits? Well, maybe some don’t — but the millions of people flocking to Charleston every year suggest otherwise.Between the sun-drenched beaches and the rich cultural history, it’s no wonder many vacationers start wondering what it would actually take to call the Palmetto State “home.”Long regarded as a retiree’s paradise, South Carolina’s biggest draw remains its incredibly low property taxes, which are some of the lowest in the nation. Plus, no “death tax” in the state means your heirs have more wealth to hold onto. From just $107.88…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes peak driving season as Americans plan vacations, road trips and family get-togethers. But between the impact of the Iran war on gas prices and the post-pandemic jump in car maintenance and repair costs, hitting the road will be a lot more expensive this year.“Drivers are currently facing all-time high automotive costs,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, technical trainer at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket in Cocoa, Florida.Since early January, when gas nationally averaged $2.81 a gallon — the lowest price since 2021 — the cost of filling up at the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Turning 65 doesn’t always mean slowing your pace; for some people, energy levels are still quite high. Even if your joints remind you of your age when you first wake up, you’re likely still eyeing an upcoming race or planning your first ride on the mountain bike you received as a birthday gift.The average 65-year-old American can expect to live an additional 19.7 years, with most people living to roughly age 85, according to the latest CDC data. Women average 20.8 more years and men, 18.4. That’s a long time to sit idly by if you’re still…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: My wife and I were delighted to find we’re getting a higher tax refund of around $10,000 this year. I think we’re in a good place to use the money for a fun vacation or other splurge. But, she’s worried about the future and wants to save it. What should we do?Answer: When making significant money decisions as a couple, it’s common for people to want different things. Money disagreements are actually signs of a healthy relationship because you’re communicating.So, even if those conversations are stressful, it’s a very good sign. Now, turning attention to whether…

Find out how much you could earn with today’s money market account rates. Deposit interest rates (including money market account rates) have been falling over the past two years. That’s why it’s more important than ever to compare MMA rates and ensure you earn as much as possible on your balance. The national average money market account rate stands at 0.56%, according to the FDIC. This might not seem like much, but consider that four years ago, it was just 0.07%. So by historical standards, money market account rates are still quite high. Even so, some of the top accounts…

Bitcoin holds above support but faces resistance as the broader trend remains weak. Institutional demand rises while macro pressure and liquidity constraints continue to limit upside. Market stabilises in the short term, but a clear direction depends on a breakout above key resistance levels. prices in recent weeks have been influenced by more than just crypto factors. They are also moving with global risk sentiment, energy prices, inflation expectations, and institutional money flows. Right now, the market is less focused on choosing a clear direction and more focused on understanding which risk matters more. On one side, global conditions have…

Key Takeaways Gross national income (GNI) encompasses the total income earned by a nation’s people and businesses, including earnings from foreign investments and economic aid.GNI incorporates gross domestic product (GDP) and adds income from overseas sources, making it sometimes a more accurate reflection of national wealth than GDP alone.The difference between GDP and GNI can be significant in countries with high foreign aid or foreign-controlled production, as seen in Bangladesh or Ireland.GNI is used by organizations like The World Bank and the European Union to better assess economic contributions and measure national wealth.For countries with stable foreign income and payments,…

(World Oil) – Ovintiv Inc. has completed the previously announced sale of its Anadarko Basin assets in Oklahoma for $3.0 billion, marking a key step in the company’s portfolio repositioning. Source: Reuters After customary closing adjustments, net proceeds from the transaction are expected to total approximately $2.85 billion. The company said the divestment supports its strategy to streamline operations and strengthen its balance sheet. Ovintiv plans to use the proceeds primarily for debt reduction, achieving its previously stated debt target. In conjunction with the sale, the company has issued a notice to redeem its outstanding 5.650% senior notes due 2028, totaling $700 million.…

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has taken the next step toward a landmark IPO by confidentially filing with the SEC, setting the stage for a potentially record-setting public offering, as reported by Bloomberg and later quoted on CNBC. By filing confidentially, companies can have their financials reviewed by the SEC before revealing them to the public or investors.With plans to raise around $75 billion, SpaceX’s IPO could surpass the size of any U.S. offering in history by more than threefold, valuing the company at $1.75 trillion. According to Reuters, with the mammoth valuation, Musk’s devoted retail following and a stake in a…

The six-week-long Iran war struck at the heart of the world’s most energy-rich region, with oil and gas facilities targeted by both sides and soaring prices for fuel triggering a new global energy shock.As the dust has begun to settle during a tentative two-week ceasefire, the full scale of the damage has started to become clear, with long-term ramifications for the world economy.Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has said it has suffered significant damage to its production capacity. Qatar, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas producers, has lost almost a fifth of its output, which will…