Author: Money Mechanics

Natural Gas Inventories as of July 24, 2026 The EIA has released its natural gas inventory report, showing a net increase of 28 Bcf as of July 24, 2026. Working gas in storage was 3,084 Bcf as of Friday, July 24, 2026, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 28 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 32 Bcf less than last year at this time and 185 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,899 Bcf. At 3,084 Bcf, total working gas is within the five-year historical range.   Working gas in underground storage, Lower 48 states…

Article published at 9:35 a.m. CTJJ Kinahan is Senior Vice President, Head of Retail Expansion and Alternative Investment Products at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe).Key Takeaways:Microsoft shares advance after robust earningsAmazon AWS division revenues up 37%Reddit shares tumble on “choppy” Google trafficTechnology stocks are mixed in early trading after mega-cap earnings reports from Microsoft, Amazon and Meta have calmed investor worries about the pricey investments in artificial intelligence but prompted others to take profits. The chip demand is massive and is paying off, according to their reports.South Korea’s Kospi index followed yesterday’s U.S. tech rally, increasing 18% in what was…

Financial literacy is the process of developing the appropriate skills to make informed decisions with the financial resources you have available. It is about more than “money management.” It is about understanding how money impacts different aspects of your life.The different components of financial literacy include:Understanding your earningsHow to save and investHow to budget and spendHow to properly borrow funds and take on debtIn addition to knowing how money flows, being financially literate helps build confidence, independence and resilience. When you know you can depend on yourself to make good financial decisions, you are putting yourself in a position to…

Dividend stocks are an important part of most investors’ portfolios, and for good reason. For one, dividend stocks can boost your total investment returns over the long run, in part because they increase the yield on your original cost basis.Dividends also provide income for investors, which is especially important for those nearing or in retirement.How much do you know about dividend stocks? Test your knowledge with our short quiz. And don’t worry if you miss an answer or two. You can follow the links below the quiz to refresh your knowledge on dividend investing. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

Three years ago, Sharon V. Salinger, a California native, history professor and retired dean of undergraduate education at University of California, Irvine, moved from a house in pricey Pasadena, California, to Paris, France. While her monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat is a stiff $2,765, it’s in the trendy 11th Arrondissement and includes utilities and comes furnished. Now 80, Salinger extols the economic advantages of leaving the U.S. Among them: She no longer needs a car, and tickets to the Paris Opera are cheaper than a seat at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. “I do love this city,” she says. Before…

Each week in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on topics submitted by readers. This week, she’s looking at four tax questions from readers pertaining to federal income tax credits, including the difference between refundable and nonrefundable tax credits. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Tax Letter or subscribe.)1. Refundable v. nonrefundable creditsQuestion: What is the difference between a refundable income tax credit and a nonrefundable income tax credit?Joy Taylor: The federal tax code generally has two types of income tax credits for individuals — refundable credits and nonrefundable credits. Refundable…

Retirees are often advised to maintain diversified portfolios while focusing on assets that can produce steady income. REITs can help in both regards.REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are companies that operate portfolios of properties, whether it’s data centers, malls, fulfillment centers, healthcare facilities, or residential complexes. They make it possible for retirees to branch out into real estate without actually having to own or maintain physical property as investments.As of early 2024, 50% of U.S. households owned REITs, according to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. And for retirees, REITs offer a couple of distinct benefits. From…

It’s easy to see why Florida is a haven for retirees. Between the year-round warm weather, miles of coastline, and zero state income tax, the Sunshine State is already home to roughly 5 million people 65 and older.However, relocating doesn’t guarantee a lower cost of living, even for those moving from high-cost northern states. Unforeseen expenses in Florida can easily derail an otherwise solid retirement budget.”Florida is great because there is no income tax,” says Andy Smith, a certified financial planner at Edelman Financial Engines. “But people have to look at the total cost of living instead of focusing on…

What do you do when you’re suddenly in charge of everything?I often point to Dorinda Medley from The Real Housewives of New York as a surprisingly relatable example. After her husband passed away, she spoke publicly about discovering just how much of the family’s financial and household administration he had handled.She has shared that she didn’t even know who was paying certain bills and later uncovered investments and financial arrangements she hadn’t previously been involved with. 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…

If you’re looking for a back-to-school gift for a grandkid heading off to college, your best bet might actually be a Costco membership. The popular wholesale club reported that nearly half of its new signups were from Millennials and Gen Z adults in a recent earnings call.Costco has become a bit of a trend in recent years, with teens and young adults showing off their bulk buy hauls on TikTok or hopping onto fashion trends like the viral Espirit sweatshirt that sold out almost immediately at Costco.After Costco outranked Walmart as the cheapest grocery store this year, it’s no surprise…