Author: Money Mechanics

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. April 08, 2026 Federal Reserve Board invites public comment on proposal that would allow U.S. banks and credit unions to use intermediaries to transfer funds through the FedNow Service For release at 11:30 a.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday invited public comment on a proposal that would allow U.S. banks and credit unions to use intermediaries to transfer funds through the FedNow Service. This additional flexibility would support new private sector…

The living room has become a central battleground for YouTube, as more people turn to television screens. Now the Google-owned platform is trying to make watching videos on TV more interactive, across formats like live and Shorts, new job listings show. The shift is reflected in a wave of recent job postings at YouTube focused on “living room” experiences across product, design, and engineering, spanning live streaming, Shorts on TV, and subscription features. These point to a broader push to deepen engagement on the biggest screen. The move comes as connected TVs accounted for over 44% of YouTube watch time…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – A new phase of energy demand is emerging, and it is being driven less by population growth or traditional industry, and more by the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure. Recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration points to a clear shift: U.S. electricity demand is accelerating after years of relative stagnation. More notably, power consumption is now expected to reach record highs in 2026 and 2027, driven largely by the surge in artificial intelligence and data center expansion. This is not a typical demand cycle. AI-driven computing requires continuous, high-density power loads, fundamentally different…

You’ve probably heard a lot about investing in private equity and debt markets lately. Private assets may even be an option in your 401(k) soon, per an August White House executive order to make them more accessible to individual investors.These investments can provide portfolio diversification and above-average returns — but they come with formidable caveats: They’re complex, less than transparent, illiquid and sport high fees.Still, you might be feeling some FOMO if you’re not partaking in the latest portfolio craze. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: We are early retirees at 59, with $5.3 million saved. We need $250,000 a year from savings right now to do everything we want. That number will drop significantly once Medicare and Social Security kick in. Is this withdrawal plan safe for a few years, or will we risk our retirement security for a few years of fun?Answer: Once you reach a certain level of wealth, it’s natural to want to retire and enjoy life without the constraints of a job. And if you’re a 59-year-old couple with $5.3 million saved, you may be in a…

For decades, the retirement playbook looked pretty similar: get a stable job, contribute to a 401(k), increase your savings over time and let compounding do the heavy lifting. But for Gen Z, roughly those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, that path is not always realistic.Many younger workers are entering adulthood in a high-cost environment, where rent, groceries and insurance take up a larger share of their income. At the same time, student loan payments have resumed, and building emergency savings often feels more urgent than long-term investing.There is also a structural shift underway. More Gen Z workers…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks, schmocks. Lately, bonds have been a rewarding place to be, too, if the recent performance of Kiplinger ETF 20 member, JPMorgan Income ETF (JPIE), is any guide.The multisector bond fund, which aims to maximize income for a prudent level of risk, delivered a 6.9% return over the past 12 months, with less than half the volatility of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. It currently yields 5.6%.The fund’s managers, led by Andrew Norelli, have a flexible mandate. They are free to invest in any sector and any bond they deem attractive, whether it’s rated investment grade…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you need cash for a major expense, you might be considering tapping your home equity. With a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance, you can access the equity in your home and use that money for renovations and other expenses.But it’s more important than ever to understand the potential risks that come with tapping your home equity. According to the Intercontinental Exchange Mortgage Monitor report, Americans hold approximately $17 trillion in total equity, with about $11 trillion tappable.High home values and limited inventory have resulted in equity-rich but…

In recent years, more states have adopted a single income tax rate, or “flat tax.” Unlike progressive systems, where tax rates rise as income increases, a flat tax applies the same rate to all taxable income.Flat taxes could make certain places more appealing for those looking to keep more of their paycheck. That’s likely something people are thinking about as tax season wraps up.Supporters say flat taxes are easier to understand and plan for and could make some states more competitive. (That could be helpful as people leave high-tax states like California and New York for states with lower tax…

ENGIE has announced plans to expand its European battery energy storage systems (BESS) portfolio with the acquisition of two projects in Spain totalling 278MW and the start of construction on a 110MW facility in France. The additions take the company’s BESS capacity in Europe to more than 1GW when combined with 700MW already operating or being built across eight countries. In Spain, ENGIE has bought two stand-alone BESS projects under development in Andalusia: a 78MW/312MW-hour (MWh) facility in Álora and a 200MW/800MWh facility in Tarifa. Each project will enable up to four hours of storage and include synchronous condensers to…