Author: Money Mechanics

This WeekOnce again, developments in the Iran conflict moved markets this week — overshadowing most macro news.The key developments in the Iran conflict this week were that:President Trump said twice that the conflict would end in “two weeks, maybe three.”Iran’s President Pezeshkian said he was ready to end the conflict, providing “essential conditions” were met.President Trump said at different times that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was and was not necessary to end the conflict.Given these signs that both sides are open to a near-term resolution, markets rebounded this week, with the Nasdaq-100® up 4%, while 10-year Treasury yields are…

(Image credit: Getty Images)April is Financial Literacy Month, a perfect time to examine what you might not know about your own finances.According to a Global Financial Literacy Survey, only 33% of adults worldwide demonstrate basic financial literacy, highlighting how common these knowledge gaps are.Even seasoned wealth managers and finance professionals can uncover gaps in their understanding if they look deeper. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Most retirees (and some planners) evaluating a Roth conversion look at the tax bracket table and think, “We’re in the 12% bracket — let’s fill it up.”But in retirement, your visible bracket often isn’t the true rate you’ll pay — and many unintentionally trigger taxes in places they didn’t expect.Here’s the problem: Several tax rules can be stacked on the same dollar at the same time. These rules interact so that one extra dollar is taxed in several places at once, creating a hidden marginal rate far above your visible bracket. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

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 63-year-old retired woman in Milwaukee who worked in the health insurance industry as a benefit analyst and adjustor. She reports that she earned $50,000 to $65,000 a year, depending on how much overtime she put in. 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…

(Image credit: Bloomberg / Contributor)April is distracted driving awareness month and the safety statistics show that awareness is needed. Despite laws in most states banning the use of phones while driving, distracted driving remains a deadly and expensive problem in the United States.29% of car accidents are caused by distracted driving, resulting in over 3,200 deaths and causing an estimated $395 billion in damages each year, according to a 2024 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).The same report said one of the biggest challenges to addressing the problem is “the breadth of distraction sources and activities available…

Who doesn’t love strolling cobblestone streets after a hearty meal of shrimp and grits? Well, maybe some don’t — but the millions of people flocking to Charleston every year suggest otherwise.Between the sun-drenched beaches and the rich cultural history, it’s no wonder many vacationers start wondering what it would actually take to call the Palmetto State “home.”Long regarded as a retiree’s paradise, South Carolina’s biggest draw remains its incredibly low property taxes, which are some of the lowest in the nation. Plus, no “death tax” in the state means your heirs have more wealth to hold onto. From just $107.88…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes peak driving season as Americans plan vacations, road trips and family get-togethers. But between the impact of the Iran war on gas prices and the post-pandemic jump in car maintenance and repair costs, hitting the road will be a lot more expensive this year.“Drivers are currently facing all-time high automotive costs,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, technical trainer at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket in Cocoa, Florida.Since early January, when gas nationally averaged $2.81 a gallon — the lowest price since 2021 — the cost of filling up at the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Turning 65 doesn’t always mean slowing your pace; for some people, energy levels are still quite high. Even if your joints remind you of your age when you first wake up, you’re likely still eyeing an upcoming race or planning your first ride on the mountain bike you received as a birthday gift.The average 65-year-old American can expect to live an additional 19.7 years, with most people living to roughly age 85, according to the latest CDC data. Women average 20.8 more years and men, 18.4. That’s a long time to sit idly by if you’re still…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: My wife and I were delighted to find we’re getting a higher tax refund of around $10,000 this year. I think we’re in a good place to use the money for a fun vacation or other splurge. But, she’s worried about the future and wants to save it. What should we do?Answer: When making significant money decisions as a couple, it’s common for people to want different things. Money disagreements are actually signs of a healthy relationship because you’re communicating.So, even if those conversations are stressful, it’s a very good sign. Now, turning attention to whether…

Find out how much you could earn with today’s money market account rates. Deposit interest rates (including money market account rates) have been falling over the past two years. That’s why it’s more important than ever to compare MMA rates and ensure you earn as much as possible on your balance. The national average money market account rate stands at 0.56%, according to the FDIC. This might not seem like much, but consider that four years ago, it was just 0.07%. So by historical standards, money market account rates are still quite high. Even so, some of the top accounts…