Author: Money Mechanics

Last year, in one of the largest data breaches in history, more than 16 billion log-in credentials were exposed from Apple, Facebook, Google and other platforms. Add that to the long list of recent cyber threats putting your personal online accounts at risk.All told, the internet privacy and security company NordVPN reports that more than half of Americans say they’ve been the victim of a data breach. And two-thirds suspect their personal information could be for sale on the dark web. Advances in technology make these cyberattacks increasingly easy to execute, says Robert Raymond, first vice president at HUB Private…

February 27, 2026 07:52 AM EST Trump Says Retirement Accounts for Workers Without 401(k)s Are Coming Next Year—Here’s How They’ll Work FROM 20 minutes ago President Trump just unveiled a policy that would provide retirement accounts next year to workers who don’t have access to 401(k)s. “Your 401(k)s are way up. Yet half of all working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer,” said President Trump at the State of the Union address yesterday.  “To remedy this gross disparity, I’m announcing that next year my administration will give these oft-forgotten American workers…

(Image credit: Getty Images)In January, a Florida resident filed a class action lawsuit alleging that GEICO added two strangers to her car insurance policy as named drivers without her consent. The additions increased her premiums as a result.The complaint filed last month alleges that many other drivers nationwide have experienced the same thing with GEICO and is now seeking refunds for all customers impacted by this practice.For GEICO’s part, the insurance company argues that it acted in full compliance with the terms of its car insurance policies. So, what exactly happened and how can you avoid ending up in a…

Paramount Skydance is poised to triumph in its bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery after Netflix said it would not boost its offer, tech companies are increasingly turning to loans backed by the chips on which their large language models are trained and the FT’s George Steer explains how Wall Street is hedging against the tech stock sell-off . Plus, Berkshire Hathaway’s new chief executive will send his first letter to investors on Saturday. Mentioned in this podcast:Paramount poised to clinch Warner Bros deal after Netflix walks awayTech groups turn to more chip-backed loans to fund AI arms raceWall Street…

In a market dominated by mega-cap tech stocks, investors looking for real upside increasingly have to fish in less crowded waters. As such, I’ve identified five under-followed stocks that are uniquely positioned to thrive amid the current backdrop. These five stocks combine sector tailwinds, explosive growth, and unique catalysts that justify their “buy” status, even as volatility reigns. The current market environment has created a fascinating dichotomy. While mega-cap technology stocks and AI-related names dominate headlines and attract the lion’s share of investor attention, pockets of exceptional value and opportunity have emerged in overlooked corners of the market. For investors…

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysApple could announce the launch of a new “cheap” MacBook on March 4.It will likely come with the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro. Prices will start around $599. Rumors of a new “cheap” MacBook have been circulating for years, but it looks like the laptop could finally launch in the next few weeks. On March 4, Apple is set to make a series of product announcements at a “special experience” here in New York, where I’m betting we’ll hear more. Apple’s new affordable 13-inch MacBook is rumored to feature a low-power…

(World Oil) – Aramco has marked two major milestones in its gas expansion strategy with the start of unconventional production at the Jafurah field and the commissioning of the Tanajib Gas Plant, reinforcing its target to significantly expand Saudi Arabia’s gas production capacity by 2030. The company confirmed that first shale gas production from Jafurah began in December 2025. Located across approximately 17,000 sq km, Jafurah is the largest liquids-rich unconventional gas development in the Middle East and is estimated to contain 229 Tscf of raw gas and 75 Bbbl of condensate and liquids. By 2030, Jafurah is expected to deliver up to 2…

Key Takeaways “Healthiest country” rankings tend to focus on a nation’s current health conditions and systems, while longevity rankings reflect decades of habits and policies. You don’t need to move abroad to live longer: Research on long-lived populations points to habits you can adopt anywhere—daily movement, strong social ties, and preventive care. If you dream of retiring abroad—or just wondering how long your savings need to last—”healthiest country” rankings can have you focus on the wrong measures. Singapore and Taiwan top recent health index rankings, while Japan leads in raw life expectancy at 84.5 years, according to the World Health Organization.…

Key Takeaways Retiring in Europe doesn’t require a big-city budget—smaller villages often offer significantly lower housing and daily living costs.Access to public health care, walkable layouts, and local food markets can materially reduce retirement expenses. If you are thinking of retiring in Europe, you probably are envisioning an apartment in Paris or a villa in Tuscany—beautiful, but costly. If a big city and a big budget are too pricey for your budget, there are small villages across Europe that offer historic charm, slower living and everyday costs that can be surprisingly manageable, even on a modest retirement budget. For retirees…

Find out which banks are offering the best MMA rates right now. As interest rates begin to fall following the Fed’s recent rate cuts, it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re earning a competitive rate on your savings. One option you may want to consider is a money market account (MMA). These accounts are similar to savings accounts — they offer interest on your balance, but may also include a debit card and/or check-writing capabilities. Wondering where the top money market account rates can be found today? Here’s what you need to know. From a historical perspective, money market…