Author: Money Mechanics

House hunters have the upper hand, allowing them to abandon deals over price, repairs or second thoughts. Cancellations are most common in Tampa and San Antonio, where there are roughly twice as many sellers as buyers.  More than 42,000 U.S. home-sale agreements fell through in February, equal to 13.7% of homes that went under contract that month. That’s up from 12.8% a year earlier, and the highest February share in records dating back to 2017.   This is based on a Redfin analysis of MLS pending-sales data. The data is seasonal; typically, there’s a higher share of cancellations at the…

Cauldron Ferm has an unlikely origin story, as startups go. Its core technology can be traced back to the 1960s, or maybe the 1970s. The exact start is a bit hazy, actually. What is known is that David and Polly McLennan had a dream of feeding the world using protein grown from microbes. The pair knew they needed to improve the process, which was pricy and time consuming. Most fermentation happens in batches. Picture a brewery or a vineyard. Ingredients go in and the microbes work for a while, but then the process stops when it’s time to take out…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For years, investors have been trained to ask financial advisors one simple question: “Are you a fiduciary?”It sounds smart. It sounds protective. It sounds like due diligence. But in practice, it often accomplishes very little.If you really want to protect yourself, there’s a better question to ask — one that separates marketing language from legal accountability.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper…

(Image credit: Getty Images)How did you first get started with investing? My dad taught us kids by example. He opened custodial brokerage accounts, bought us stocks, regularly invested, and — most important held onto them.It took me well into my adulthood to appreciate just how lucky — and unusual — it was to be taught sound investment principles at such a young age. My dad’s influence shaped how I approach investing today.Teens and investingThe good news is that teens are interested in investing. At Vanguard, we’ve seen a 56% increase in custodial brokerage accounts from 2020 to 2025.Article continues below…

(Image credit: Getty Images)2026 is turning out to be a volatile year for the equities market. While all three main benchmarks finished January in positive territory, broader risk-off sentiment toward artificial intelligence (AI) stocks and concerns about inflation and the economy have weighed on sentiment.More worrisome of late is the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has oil prices trading at their highest level in four years. While the bull market is still intact, the recent sell-off has the stock market teetering near correction territory.And the bond market isn’t looking much better. Indeed, rising oil prices have fueled inflation…

Family phone plans are designed to lower costs by bundling multiple lines under one account, often with multi-line discounts that reduce the overall bill.Added perks like shared data pools and simplified billing can make them especially appealing for households with teens or multiple users.In many cases, these plans offer real savings and convenience. But as your lifestyle, usage habits and travel needs change, what once worked well may no longer be the best fit. In some situations, switching to individual plans can offer better value and flexibility, sometimes even at a lower cost.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Imagine your spouse or adult child asks, “I am not trying to bother you, but don’t you think it is time to sit down with someone and develop a financial and estate plan?”Will your reply be one of the following?”Things need to settle down first.””Our situation is complicated, so I need to set aside a real block of time.””The business is our retirement plan.””We’re healthy. We have time.”When I ran these ever-so-common situations by a friend of this column, author and regular Kiplinger contributor Cosmo DeStefano — I recently chatted with him about his book Wealth Your…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For many retirees, the decision to drop a trusted Medigap policy for a lower-premium Medicare Advantage plan feels like a high-stakes gamble. What if your favorite specialist is out-of-network, or the copays for a sudden illness stack up? If you’ve made this switch for the first time, the federal government provides a vital safety valve known as Medigap Trial Right #2. This ‘undo’ button gives you 12 months to test-drive a private plan with the legal guarantee that you can return to your previous Medigap coverage if it doesn’t fit.However, once that 12-month clock expires, the path…

Today’s savings account rates still hover well above the national average. However, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in 2025, which means deposit account rates are also on the decline. It’s more important than ever to ensure you’re earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher in some cases. Not sure where to find the best savings interest rates today? Read on to find out which banks have the…

A key component of the proposal is the push for a single federal standard, with officials warning that a patchwork of state-level regulations “would undermine American innovation and our ability to lead in the global AI race.” “The Administration looks forward to working with Congress in the coming months to turn this framework into legislation that the President can sign,” the announcement stated. Diane Yu, CEO of mortgage technology platform Tidalwave, told HousingWire that a federal standard would accelerate AI adoption in the industry. “We have lenders in all 50 states using our point-of-sale platform today. That means every new…