Author: Money Mechanics

This week’s Baker Hughes Rig Count shows that the U.S. increased by 3 last week, resulting in a total count of 547 rigs. Canada decreased by 7 over last week, resulting in a total Canadian count of 123 rigs. Breakdown by region Of the regions tracked by Baker Hughes, the Eagle Ford, and Haynesville regions experienced an increase this week. Meanwhile, 1 region experienced a decrease this week: The Permian is down 1, at 241. Major Basin Variances This Week +/- Ardmore Woodford 1 0 Arkoma Woodford 1 0 Barnett 1 0 Cana Woodford 20 0 DJ-Niobrara 9 0 Eagle…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For most people, the dream of retirement is a dream of relief.No more early morningsNo more deadlinesNo more showing up when you don’t want toAfter decades of work — physical or professional — the promise of doing nothing can seem like the most reasonable reward in the world.The problem is not that the dream is wrong. The problem is that the dream stops too soon. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When people talk about “the 1%,” they often picture seven-figure salaries, corner offices and big bonuses. But income alone doesn’t tell the full story. The top 1% is defined by net worth — not just what you earn each year.Your net worth is everything you own, including investments, retirement accounts, home equity and businesses, minus everything you owe, like mortgages, loans and credit cards. It’s a snapshot of what you’ve built over time, not just what’s coming in.Understanding that distinction, and how your own net worth compares, can help you make more intentional decisions about saving, investing…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: We are in our 60s and comfortably retired. Our daughter wants a $200K advance on her inheritance to buy a home. We’re not opposed, but what’s the cleanest way to proceed to avoid resentment? We already paid $75K for her wedding and chipped in much less for her two brothers’ weddings. To our horror, her brothers say we are being sexist! But she earns less than them.Are they right, or are we just recognizing that daughters may need more financial help than sons?Answer: One of the most crucial things you might have to do as a…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Your trip to the grocery store might soon look different. Proposed bills in several states might change the way that stores are able to use self-checkout lanes. If you’re a fan of the speed and convenience these checkouts offer, you might find them subjected to some extra regulations soon.States are implementing new self-checkout rules in an attempt to reduce retail theft. Ohio Senate Bill 415, introduced in April, would implement several requirements on self-checkouts. If passed, the bill would require stores to offer at least one staffed checkout, have at least one employee supervising each three self-checkouts…

In-depth analysis April 27, 2026 This TIE was modified to address a correction in terminology and update a link. Electric utilities in the United States currently operate about 98 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear generating capacity, but very little nuclear capacity has been built in the last few decades. High capital costs and lengthy licensing and approval processes have limited the expansion of nuclear power. However, several companies are developing new small modular reactor (SMR) designs aimed at reducing capital costs and increasing siting flexibility, challenges associated with traditional nuclear power. The generating capacity of a…

More homeowners are putting their houses on the market, with new listings increasing for the second week in a row after five straight months of declines.  U.S. pending home sales rose 2.7% year over year during the four weeks ending April 26, the biggest increase in six weeks. Mortgage-purchase applications have risen to their highest level in three months.  There are a few reasons more homebuyers are on the hunt: Affordability is improving. The weekly average mortgage rate has dropped to 6.23% from a seven-month high of 6.46% at the start of April, pushing the median monthly housing payment down…

The organization behind the Academy Awards released new Oscar rules on Friday, including several that address the use of generative artificial intelligence. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that only performances “credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will be eligible for Academy Awards. Similarly, the academy said that screenplays must be “human-authored” to be eligible. The academy also said it has the right to request more information about a film’s AI usage and “human authorship.” These rule changes come as an independent film is in the works with an…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The stock market is sitting on a knife-edge, and interest rates are still top of mind, which has investors wondering what the Federal Reserve will do next.Add in tax season being fresh in everyone’s minds, and it’s no surprise that many people are thinking about their retirement accounts and asking themselves: What should I be doing with my money?While most people focus on getting their taxes filed or making that last-minute IRA contribution, this is also the perfect time to step back and look at the bigger picture. Are you contributing strategically, or are you just checking…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The shift from saving to spending changes everything. Behaviors that were “good enough” during accumulation can become expensive once withdrawals begin.According to research from Morningstar, behavioral mistakes cost investors an average of 1.2% annually. In retirement, that drag can matter more because there’s less time to recover from avoidable errors.The good news is that the biggest risks are often behavioral, which means they can be addressed. Here are seven common patterns that can undermine retirement security and what to do instead. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from…