Author: Money Mechanics

Turning 65 can come with meaningful tax advantages.From a larger standard deduction to lesser-known breaks tied to retirement income or age, several provisions can help older adults lower their federal tax bill.To get you started, here are five ways to save on taxes if you’re over 65 that can help you keep more of your money this year.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 with…

Loan Type Refinance New Purchase 30-Year Fixed 6.48% 6.33% FHA 30-Year Fixed 6.60% 6.60% VA 30-Year Fixed 5.76% 5.82% 20-Year Fixed 6.52% 6.34% 15-Year Fixed 5.47% 5.50% FHA 15-Year Fixed 5.55% 5.01% 10-Year Fixed 5.80% 5.50% 7/6 ARM 6.58% 6.40% 5/6 ARM 6.72% 6.56% Jumbo 30-Year Fixed 6.49% 6.31% Jumbo 15-Year Fixed 6.33% 6.11% Jumbo 7/6 ARM 6.33% 6.43% Jumbo 5/6 ARM 6.28% 6.22% A mortgage refinance can help you save money with a lower interest rate, a lower monthly payment, or both. Other benefits include lifting private mortgage insurance (PMI), paying off your mortgage sooner, and withdrawing equity (in…

Key Takeaways Credit unions often offer lower interest rates on auto loans compared to banks.Membership criteria at credit unions can limit access for some borrowers.Credit unions provide pre-approval options to aid in negotiating car deals.An auto loan’s effect on your credit score depends on timely repayments.Refinancing your auto loan with a credit union is possible if approved. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Credit unions are an appealing option for auto loans because their member-focused model often results in lower interest rates than banks or dealerships. They do come with downsides, such as membership requirements…

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $54.5 billion in January, down $18.4 billion from $72.9 billion in December, revised.U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services DeficitDeficit:$54.5 Billion–25.3%°Exports:$302.1 Billion+5.5%°Imports:$356.6 Billion–0.7%°Next release: Thursday, April 2, 2026(°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changesSource: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, March 12, 2026Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)January exports were $302.1 billion, $15.8 billion more than December exports. January imports were…

The share of homeowners who are “in the money” for a refinance has hit its highest level in over four years as mortgage rates dip to around 6%.  But less than 1 in 10 eligible homeowners have refinanced, even though they stand to save money. One in five (19.8%) U.S. homeowners with a mortgage could save money by refinancing to a lower rate, the highest share in over four years and up from just 7% a year ago.  That’s based on a 6.08% mortgage rate, the average so far this year. A homeowner is “in the money”–meaning they could save…

Electric vehicle drivers and smartphone power users have been salivating over the prospect of silicon anode batteries, which promise to dramatically boost energy density and lower charging times. Several companies have been working on silicon anodes over the last decade or so, and the tech has started creeping into consumer electronics. Wearable maker Whoop, for example, uses materials from Sila, while Group14‘s batteries can be found in a range of smartphones. But the real prize is the EV market, which dwarfs consumer electronics by an order of magnitude, according to Benchmark Minerals. To break into this space, however, startups need…

Key Takeaways Cocoa Beach, located on Florida’s Space Coast is one of the 100 best places to retire in the US.Retirees can enjoy oceanfront living without the crowds of tourists or high costs found in larger coastal cities.Cocoa Beach has a walkable downtown, and local bus and paratransit services assist with aging in place.The cost of healthcare in Cocoa Beach is lower than the national average, increasing affordability. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Cocoa Beach, Florida, one of the best places to retire in America, is a relaxed town on the Atlantic coast known…

How the Iran War Could Affect Your Summer Airfare: What You Need to Know and When to Book FROM 14 minutes ago Book your summer flights now. That’s the advice of travel experts watching the cascading effects on airline fares from the Iran war. Jet fuel has climbed more than a third above its prewar price, and airlines are already repricing summer routes in real time.1 United Airlines (UAL) CEO Scott Kirby warned the hit to ticket prices would “probably start quick.”2 Airfares were already increasing before hostilities began, jumping 6.5% in January alone.3 Now carriers are layering on fuel surcharges for international…

Key Takeaways Nearly three-quarters of Americans who feel financially behind believe speculative investments, like cryptocurrency and betting, can help them achieve their goals.Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than other generations to turn to speculative investments, with over one-third considering cryptocurrency in 2023. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The stock market has reached record highs this year—but some Americans think they’ll need to supercharge their portfolio with risk to meet their financial aims. Nearly three-quarters of Americans who felt financially behind expressed feeling “financial nihilism,” according to a Northwestern Mutual survey of more…

Key Takeaways Current assets can be converted to cash within a year.Noncurrent assets take over a year to convert to cash.Marketable securities are liquid instruments like stocks and Treasuries.PP&E are noncurrent, tangible, and not quickly liquidated.Noncurrent assets are depreciated over their useful life. Overview of Current vs. Noncurrent Assets Current assets are liquid and can be turned into cash within a year. Examples include cash, inventory, and marketable securities. They help businesses pay short-term debts and fund daily operations. Noncurrent assets are less liquid, taking more than a year to convert to cash. Some common examples of noncurrent assets are…