Author: Money Mechanics

Former Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank has passed away at the age of 86 at the humble Maine cottage he shared with his husband of more than 10 years, James Ready. Frank’s passing comes weeks after he revealed that he had entered hospice with congestive heart failure—before later returning home to the property he retired to in 2021. He is survived by his spouse, whom he wed in 2012, as well as his sisters, Ann Lewis and Doris Breay, and his brother, David Frank, according to the Associated Press. The Democratic politician, who has been described as a “gay pioneer and…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Moving your retirement savings from an employer-sponsored 401(k) to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is often the result of changing jobs. However, this transition strips away the federal shield of ERISA regulations, exposing your nest egg to hidden costs, aggressive civil lawsuits, and administrative oversights.True financial security requires understanding these structural gaps — ranging from shifting bankruptcy rules to the vanishing of spousal consent protections — and actively managing your retail accounts, such as IRAs, to replicate the institutional safeguards you left behind. Think your rollover is completely safe? Test your knowledge on how moving your 401(k)…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The wait is almost over. The World Cup, soccer’s most popular international tournament, starts on June 11. The tournament, featuring 48 teams, spans over 39 days with matches taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.If you’re a soccer fan, this is an excellent opportunity to catch the action live. That is, if you can afford the higher ticket prices. I recently checked, and the average ticket price for the US vs Paraguay match on July 12 in Los Angeles starts around $1,000 per ticket on the resale market.There is good news, though. Ticket prices are…

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.1 In preparing for this event, I found myself reflecting on the evolution of the concept of financial health. What began as a push for expanding financial access has evolved over the decades—thanks to advances in research, technology, and the efforts of many of you here at today’s conference—to a focus on delivering better financial health outcomes for American families. Financial health begins with access, but it does not end there. Products and services that are geared to meet the needs of consumers lead to tangible positive financial outcomes for them.…

In-brief analysis May 20, 2026 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on data from S&P Global Market Intelligence Note: The specifics of the calculation methodology are detailed in our 2017 Today in Energy article, with minor adjustments to heat rates and heat contents used. The heat rate used for the dark spread was 10,579 British thermal units per kilowatthour (Btu/kWh) while the heat rate for the spark spread was 8,365 Btu/kWh. In the first four months of 2026, electricity, natural gas, and coal prices suggested continued favorable economics for coal generation…

The share of home sellers cutting their asking prices has fallen from its peak as buyers lose a bit of negotiating power, but price drops are still much more common than in years past.  Redfin Early Access, which allows sellers to test the market via “coming soon” listings, can help homeowners price accurately from the start and avoid price cuts.  More than half of home sellers are cutting prices in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Phoenix, which remain strong buyer’s markets.  Sellers are least likely to cut prices in San Francisco, which recently shifted to a seller’s market amid the…

Caledonia Investments (LON:CLDN) reported a 5.4% net asset value total return for the year ended March 31, 2026, as positive contributions from all three of its investment pools were offset in part by market volatility, foreign exchange movements and a widening share price discount to NAV. Chief Executive Officer Mat Masters said the year “once again demonstrated the strength of Caledonia’s distinctive model and long-term investment approach,” citing a diversified portfolio, disciplined capital deployment and a strong balance sheet. The company’s NAV rose to £3.0 billion, according to Chief Financial Officer Rob Memmott, with £2.8 billion invested across listed companies,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Entering long-term care or a nursing home is quickly becoming a reality for many as they age. But as it becomes increasingly common, it’s also becoming increasingly expensive.Even with these staggering costs, long-term care planning is often overlooked, and many of these costs aren’t usually covered under Medicare. Planning ahead should not be a small part of your retirement plan; it’s an important way to ensure you can spend your golden years protecting your assets.1. Contribute to an HSAContributing funds to a health savings account (HSA) is a powerful but often overlooked tool. The flexibility of these…

Sean Bean as Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.(Image credit: Alamy)Retirement is rarely (OK, never) looked upon in the same light as an epic fantasy, where characters carry swords and shields to defend themselves from the fierce attack of warriors, giants and dragons.But while watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones spinoff, on HBO, it struck me that those swords and shields serve as an apt metaphor for retirement planning. Retirees need both swords and shields, figuratively speaking, if they hope to journey through retirement with minimal nicks and cuts to their portfolios.Risk is the sword,…

Question: I’m 60, and my husband is 62. He wants to claim Social Security, retire, and start using our $2.4 million nest egg because his parents died in their early 70s. He has a strong case of FOMO (fear of missing out) because he assumes he’ll have only another decade left. On the other hand, my parents, grandparents and many ancestors lived into their 90s, so I feel I should plan for longevity. How do we reconcile this?Answer: Even if you and your spouse manage to align on most financial decisions in life, there’s one big one you might disagree…