Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Rivian is launching the R2, a smaller and more affordable SUV, starting at $59,485.First deliveries of the Premium model will start this spring, with R1 owners first in line for them. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Rivian has unveiled eagerly awaited details on its R2 model, a launch that experts say could turn out to be a make or break moment for the EV maker. The R2, which was introduced Thursday at the SXSW festival in Austin, is a smaller, more affordable SUV the company has made its goal since introducing a…

Key Takeaways A home inspection contingency allows a buyer to inspect a property and cancel the contract without losing earnest money if serious defects are found. The contingency typically includes a short deadline, often five to 10 days, to review the inspection and notify the seller in writing. Home inspections evaluate major systems and structural components but are limited to visible and accessible areas. Inspection findings can influence repair negotiations, purchase price adjustments, and financing decisions. Waiving an inspection contingency may strengthen an offer, but it increases the buyer’s financial risk. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Rising property insurance costs contributed to higher mortgage delinquencies last year, new data showed.Home insurance costs have risen 72% since 2019, but have recently shown signs of slowing due to flattening home prices and increased policy switching. Property insurance payments hit an all-time high in 2025 and it could be pushing more people into delinquency. The average annual home insurance payment rose by 6.6% in 2025, with homeowners paying a record $201 a month, according to mortgage data firm Intercontinental Exchange’s (ICE) Mortgage Monitor report for March. And rising insurance costs could be a factor pushing homeowners into…

Key Takeaways ETFs focusing on emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and robotics charge higher fees due to specialized management needs.Investors should review the holdings of thematic ETFs regularly to ensure they align with evolving investment strategies.While these ETFs offer high growth potential, they come with volatility and should be balanced with conservative investments in a portfolio.Thematic ETFs are generally more tax-efficient than mutual funds, but individual tax obligations may vary.ETFs in these sectors face foreign exchange risks due to their global reach, impacting overall performance. Some of the most popular new investments focus on advanced technology such as artificial intelligence…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks tumbled at the open Thursday as oil prices resumed their uptrend after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said the Strait of Hormuz, which sees roughly a fifth of global oil pass through it on a daily basis, will remain closed in order “to pressure” the United States.Even after the International Energy Agency agreed on Wednesday to release 400 million barrels of oil from its emergency reserves, with the U.S. committing 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of the efforts, front-month crude futures jumped 9.7% today to settle at $95.73 per barrel.Oil…

Key Takeaways The Star Wars franchise, created by George Lucas in the 1970s, is one of the most successful in the world.Disney purchased the franchise from Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in 2012 in order to make more content that could leverage its popularity.The success of the Star Wars franchise is due to three factors: great story, innovative marketing, and the clever targeting of many demographics. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The Star Wars movies are part of one of the most famous and successful film franchises ever. By franchise, we mean a collection of…

Editor’s note: This article is the third in a five-part series featuring the best advice about money from investing greats, renowned economists, top financial planners and other experts. Other articles focus on advice about managing money, saving and investing, family finance and the best advice experts have gotten from their moms and dads.We asked a diverse group of 35 top financial experts — acclaimed investors, advisers, money managers, economists, influencers and more — to share their very best advice with Kiplinger readers. The essential question we put to them: Of all the many recommendations about money you’ve given or received,…

The Yahoo Finance view: Lower lacks very little when it comes to mortgage options; however, information on many of the loans and services available isn’t found online. Key benefits Lower offers a huge selection of loan products, though many aren’t listed online. A “refinance for free” offer lets you to skip the $1,500 lender fees on new loans after your first purchase mortgage or refi with Lower. Text, call, or email your loan officer; you’ll get a reply, even on weekends. Need to know Lower charged higher than average mortgage rates to borrowers in 2024, the latest data available. Loan…

Good morning. It’s good to be here with you at the Cato Institute to discuss our approach to bank capital requirements.1 Capital requirements form the foundation of our prudential regulatory framework, and in the coming weeks we will propose rules to implement the final phase of Basel III in the United States. These changes to the capital framework eliminate overlapping requirements, right-size calibrations to match actual risk, and comprehensively address long-standing gaps in our prudential framework. The result is more efficient regulation and banks that are better positioned to support economic growth, while preserving safety and soundness. Following the 2008…

The International Energy Agency () agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from member countries’ strategic reserves, and President Trump announced the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve after oil prices surged when Iran attacked three cargo ships with projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf.  We are learning that oil jumps on seeing flames in this conflict and footage that showed ships in flames, causing Brent crude oil prices to surge to $101.59 a barrel before pulling back as the additional barrels started to come in. Yet, it…