Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The median home value for 45- to 54-year-olds was $394,000 in 2024.When assessing your situation, remember that home values differ based on region, and what’s affordable varies from family to family. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The median home value among 45-54-year-old owners reached $394,000 in 2024, according to the most recent Census data available. Americans’ home values tend to peak at this age, though circumstances vary widely by region and lifestyle. Don’t overlook such context when evaluating your situation. “For many Americans in their late 40s and early 50s, homeownership is…

DIRTT Environmental Solutions logo DIRTT reported Q4 revenue of $50.9 million (up 4% YoY) with gross margin improving to 36.6%, but posted a net loss of $3.7 million mainly due to $7.6 million of reorganization and impairment charges while Adjusted EBITDA rose to $6.2 million. Liquidity sits at $32.1 million total (including $20.3 million unrestricted cash and $11.8 million undrawn ABL capacity); DIRTT secured a letter of offer with BDC for up to CAD 15 million (first tranche CAD 5.5M received) and guided FY2026 revenue of $194M–$209M with $26M–$31M in Adjusted EBITDA, excluding unforeseen tariff changes. Management emphasized progress on…

The main global economic risk associated with the renewed war against Iran is an energy price spike. (Regional problems are very easy to see.) I discussed energy price spikes in Section 5.4 of Interest Rate Cycles: An Introduction. A very short-term spike would not matter that much, rather the risks are of an extended period of a reduction in energy exports from the region. Once again, political risks emanating from an erratic American executive overwhelms traditional econometric business cycle analysis.It is possible to see a way to a relatively rapid end to this this phase of the conflict — Israel…

Key Takeaways Nvidia announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, news that sent their shares higher. Nvidia’s deals include multibillion-dollar purchase commitments for advanced laser and optical products. New deals with Nvidia are giving two stocks a big boost on Monday. Shares of photonics and laser makers Coherent (COHR) and Lumentum (LITE) were up a respective 14% and 8% in midday trading, after Nvidia (NVDA), the AI chipmaker at the center of the AI boom, announced separate partnerships. Nvidia said its deal with Saxonburg, Pa.-based Coherent includes “a multibillion-dollar purchase commitment and future access and capacity rights for…

Investopedia presents the 2026 Credit Card Awards, featuring the best cards in 14 popular categories. Our research and editorial teams analyzed 165 credit cards across 56 dimensions, collecting over 9,000 data points, to identify the top cards below. The best credit card for you isn’t necessarily the one with the longest list of benefits or the most attractive sign-up bonus. Instead, it’s the card that fits how you actually live. The right card rewards the spending you’re doing, supports the trips you’re taking, or solves the financial challenges you’re facing. Whether you’re a points maximizer, a business owner, or new…

Investopedia is dedicated to helping you find the right credit card for your needs. To determine the best credit cards for our 2026 awards, our research and editorial teams examined 165 cards across 56 criteria, totaling 9,240 data points. Our criteria were grouped into seven categories and weighted based on their relative importance to the average credit card user. Tip Browse our picks for the winners of the 2026 best credit card awards, including cash back, travel, business, and more, to see the results of our research. How We Research Credit Cards To identify cards to research, we compiled a…

Key Takeaways For people in their 60s, retirement accounts typically hold more than $300,000 in stocks on average—but the median balance is closer to about $100,000.Taxable brokerage accounts vary widely, but industry data show engaged near-retirees often hold low- to mid-six-figure balances. As retirement nears, many wonder if their investment portfolios will provide the income they’ll need. For most Americans, the bulk of these investments is in qualified retirement accounts, such as 401(k) plans and IRAs. Indeed, while more than 80% of Americans in their 60s are invested in retirement plans, only about 35% have brokerage accounts. That leaves us…

Key Takeaways The best big cities for retirees in the U.S. are Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania; Nashville, Tennessee; and Houston, Texas.Retiring in a big city provides options for free or low-cost entertainment, large airports to save money on travel, and plentiful healthcare access.Big cities are often highly walkable and have robust public transit systems, allowing retirees to save money on transportation and reduce the need to drive while aging in place.Housing costs are often higher in large cities, especially in desirable neighborhoods.Retirees must carefully weigh the access and financial perks of big-city living against the…

Key Takeaways A strong investment portfolio starts with life goals and time horizon—not just risk labels or questionnaires.Asset allocation plays a bigger role in long-term results than picking individual investments.Building wealth doesn’t require excessive risk; consistency and diversification matter more.Portfolios should evolve as life circumstances change, but not be constantly overhauled. Most financial advice isn’t built for women—it assumes an uninterrupted career, consistent income, and no major caregiving responsibilities. “Investing like her” means building a strategy that reflects your actual life: your income patterns, your timeline, your responsibilities, and your comfort with risk. This guide walks you through creating a…

It can be a good thing to disagree with your financial adviser occasionally. After all, if you’re active in managing your financial life, rather than handing it all over to a pro, you’re sure to have your own views. And once you’ve worked through a disagreement, it can bring clarity to both of you.Still, dealing with a difference in opinion or approach can be uncomfortable. How do you know who is right, or how to move forward? Use these guidelines to navigate a disagreement — and to decide whether your adviser is still a good fit for you.Hold a meeting,…