Author: Money Mechanics

Weekly Crude Oil Storage as of April 24, 2026 U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) decreased by 6.2 million barrels from the previous week.  At 459.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are 1% above the five-year average for this time of year, according to the EIA crude oil and petroleum weekly storage data, reporting inventories as of April 24, 2026. Summary of weekly petroleum data for the week ending April 24, 2026 U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 16.1 million barrels per day during the week ending April 24, 2026, which was 85…

(Image credit: Getty Images)We are already halfway done with the 2020s and on the road to 2030. Yet some aspects of our country’s robust 401(k) system are stuck in the 20th century.In the last century, it was much more common to spend your entire working life at a single employer and retire with a secure pension.However, today’s American workforce is more mobile than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American worker will hold about 12 jobs during their career, with most of their job changes occurring before the age of 40. From just $107.88 $24.99…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Retirement planning often starts with a simple question: How much do I need to retire?You’ll often hear answers framed around a single number. One million dollars. Two million. Maybe more.That question, while important, can lead you in the wrong direction. Retirement success isn’t defined by how much you have, but by how much you spend. 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 with the best…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For retirees in what we call the 2% Club — those with both a pension and $1 million or more saved — the question is not can you move in retirement, it’s should you?At this level of financial security, the decision to relocate isn’t just about chasing lower taxes. It’s about optimizing income, preserving wealth and designing a lifestyle that truly feels like retirement. If you’re weighing a move, here’s the ultimate checklist to help guide your decision:1. Don’t just look at state income tax, look at retirement income taxIt’s easy to be drawn to states that…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Discover these seven historic places with your grandkids this year to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Whether you visit on July 4, 2026, or explore in the months before or after the ‘Semiquincentennial,” the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence offers a rare opportunity to build lasting memories at the places where our history began.Sure to create lasting bonds, these trips can also help turn old, dusty history lessons into hands-on adventures. Best of all, many of these iconic sites (and we’ve only listed a few) are rolling out world-class experiences.Here are 7 standout…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Most of us know the power of compound interest, often followed by the wish that we had started saving and investing decades earlier. By opening a custodial Roth IRA for a grandchild, you are giving them the one asset money usually can’t buy: time. If your grandchild has a summer job or a part-time gig, they hold the ‘golden ticket’ of earned income needed to open an account. Matching their earnings today does more than teach the value of a dollar — it plants a seed that grows into a tax-free fortune by the time they reach…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The Iran war has been good for European oil majors. Rising prices have left companies such as BP and Shell with a new influx of cash. But not all have the freedom to choose what they do with it. Consider BP. In volatile and snarled-up energy markets, the group’s traders are making money hand over fist. The company on Tuesday reported a 43 per cent improvement in overall adjusted profit before tax compared to the immediately preceding quarter, thanks to the segment…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Spring often brings a sense of fresh starts, and for some families, that includes moving forward with a separation or divorce. If you’re navigating that transition, it’s easy to focus on the big decisions like housing, custody and dividing assets.But there’s one area that tends to quietly cause long-term financial damage if ignored: your credit cards. Shared accounts, lingering balances and unclear responsibility can follow you long after the paperwork is finalized. And the reality is, your credit card issuer doesn’t care what your divorce decree says; they care whose name is on the account.Here’s how to…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Oil & Gas industry myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.TotalEnergies’ profits jumped almost a third in the first quarter as the Iran war pushed oil prices higher and created volatility that drove strong revenues in its trading business. The French oil major managed to increase production outside the Gulf, with projects starting in Brazil and Libya, helping make up for shutdowns of some of its operations in the Middle East. The group is more directly exposed to the conflict than some peers, with 15 per cent of its oil and…

All eyes are on Wednesday’s FOMC meeting, Jerome Powell’s likely last as Fed chair. No major policy change is expected, but every word from Powell’s final press conference could tip expectations for the path ahead. Don’t expect drama, but do expect every phrase to move markets. Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting is set to be one of the most closely watched of the year in what is expected to be Jerome Powell’s final policy gathering at the helm of the U.S. central bank. With markets unanimously expecting the Fed to steady, the real action will be in the statement, the tone…