Author: Money Mechanics

Welcome to Kiplinger’s My First $1 Million series, in which we hear from people who have made $1 million. They’re sharing how they did it and what they’re doing with it. This time, we hear from a 52-year-old married and retired physician who lives in Chicago. She and her husband hit their first $1 million when he sold his business.See our earlier profiles, including a writer in New England, a literacy interventionist in Colorado, a semiretired entrepreneur in Nashville and an events industry CEO in Northern New Jersey. (See all of the profiles here.) From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Natalie Brown found herself emotionally triggered by her doctor’s simple question: “Is there anyone to help you at home after the surgery?”That routine question almost knocked her to the ground. The reality of her life as a solo ager hit “right between the eyes,” says Brown, 57, a digital marketing consultant in Atlanta. Her eyes filled with tears; unable to answer directly, Brown meekly said, “I’m divorced.”Solo aging — growing older without a partner, an adult child or close relative to care for you — can sneak up on people, even as the population of solo agers…

Thinking of moving to North Carolina this spring? Join the crowd. As we head into the 2026 relocation season, the Tar Heel State remains a top-three destination for new residents seeking a balance of lifestyle and financial stability.Why? Well, there may be several reasons.Apart from four-season weather and relatively low costs on essentials like housing and utility bills, North Carolina also offers some tax perks. Residents enjoy a flat income tax rate of 4.5% (so you know what to expect on your state tax bill) and modest property tax bills compared to the national median. From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

Spring often marks the start of the busiest season in the housing market, and many buyers are preparing to make a move this year. At the same time, the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting on March 17–18 has some prospective buyers watching mortgage rates closely.If rates fall, borrowing could become slightly more affordable. If they hold steady, many buyers may still move forward with their plans anyway. The reality is that mortgage rates do not move in lockstep with the Fed, and trying to perfectly time the market can be frustrating.Instead, the most productive step buyers can take now is…

Key Takeaways The median net worth of Americans 45–54 is $246,700, according to data from the Federal Reserve.Wealth gaps in this age group reflect salaries, inheritances, home equity, spending habits, and investment size.To grow wealth before retirement, focus on maximizing earnings, managing spending, and investing through tax-advantaged accounts. The Average Net Worth for Ages 45–54 and What It Reveals About Retirement Readiness Americans between 45 and 54 have a median net worth of $246,700, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. “Median” is a middle-of-the-road number that means that half of people in this age group have more…

  The major gold miners are finishing reporting their best quarter in history! Gold’s monster bull run soaring to astounding record highs supercharged miners’ results. The metal’s massive gains far outpaced rising mining costs, fueling record-shattering revenues, earnings, unit profits, and operating cashflows. These stupendous fundamentals have left plenty of great gold miners still relatively-undervalued despite huge rallies. The GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF remains this sector’s dominant benchmark. Birthed way back in May 2006, GDX has parlayed its first-mover advantage into an insurmountable lead. Its $33.6b of net assets midweek dwarfed the next-largest similar competitor ETF’s by nearly 9x!…

The February jobs report is weaker than expected. The report shows that U.S. employers cut more jobs than anticipated last month, and unemployment rose–both signs of a shaky economy. While that would typically drive down mortgage rates, the evolving conflict in Iran is having the opposite effect.  Takeaway: The surprisingly weak jobs report is stirring the pot this morning, but rates are unlikely to fall much, if at all. That’s because the jobs report is difficult to interpret, with tons of methodological nuance. Additionally, the intensifying conflict in Iran is driving the market. After a hot January jobs report, the…

Antivirus software for your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile devices provides an additional layer of protection that goes beyond your operating system’s default security. Today’s antivirus solutions offer far more than just signature-based scans. They protect against threats such as phishing, ransomware, trojans, and worms. They may also warn you when you visit an untrusted website, when your personal details — including passwords — are found online due to data breaches, and when you are trying to download suspicious software. You can also perform regular scans to remove threats from your system. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on…

Key Takeaways Millennials average a 691 FICO score—though that’s solidly in the “good” range, there’s room for improvement.By your 40s, you’ve likely earned a higher score due to a longer credit history and more mature credit behavior—unless you’ve weathered difficult financial situations that have tested your spending (and your score). If you’re in your 30s or 40s, your credit score is hitting its stride. Millennials (ages 28–43) average 691 and Gen Xers (ages 44–59) average 709. Both are in the “good” range that typically gets you approved for credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. But age alone doesn’t guarantee a…

Key Takeaways Fed data shows retirees average almost $288,000 in net worth, boosted in recent years by significant gains in home values and investments.Retirees’ finances vary widely, with balances on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards influencing outcomes as much as assets do.Protecting wealth in retirement often means earning strong yields, managing spending and debts, and perhaps earning a modest income to make your savings last longer. The Average Net Worth for Retirees The most recent data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances shows that retirees hold an average net worth of $287,900 as of 2022. (Updated numbers…