Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)With the average American living 79 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, planning for the future is increasingly important. For women, whose life expectancy exceeds 80, it becomes even more critical.A longer life expectancy means women are more likely to need long-term care than men. For women who do need care, the timeline is often longer. Research from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance shows that on average, women age 65 and older live with a disability for about 3.2 years, compared to 2.3 years for men.If not properly planned for, that…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Most women don’t make the wrong Social Security decision. They just make it in isolation.That’s what I see most often — thoughtful, well-intentioned decisions based on common advice, but without fully considering how that choice fits into the bigger picture.Because Social Security isn’t just a timing decision. It’s part of a much broader plan — one that includes your investments, your taxes, your lifestyle and how you want to spend your time in retirement.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…

Uncertainty in the financial markets is leaving many Gen Xers uneasy about the future. Concerns about potential downturns and rising volatility — especially following a prolonged bull market — are prompting individuals to seek more reliable strategies to protect their nest egg as they near and enter retirement.While past performance is not indicative of future results, history can help inform successful strategies for weathering uncertain times. In fact, during the 2008 recession, our baby boomer counterparts were faced with a similar set of circumstances. We can look to their experience to find out which tools best helped them maximize their…

The recently enacted tax law, known by some as the “big, beautiful bill,” has changed the federal child tax credit (CTC) math for millions of American families.While the headline news is a boost to $2,200 per child, the “fine print” in the 2026 CTC rules has quietly tightened eligibility in ways that could cost you your entire refund.Take our quiz to see if you’re set to claim your maximum credit.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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Netflix is raising subscription prices across all of its U.S. streaming tiers, marking the second increase in just over a year and adding to what many subscribers refer to as “streamflation.”The price hike, rolling out this week, increases the standard plan with ads by $1 per month, while standard and premium plans rise by $2, according to pricing posted on its website.Here’s how the increases break down and what they could mean for your monthly streaming budget.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88…

This Week In A Nutshell: The Iran War continues to fuel market volatility as it enters its fourth week, particularly as the White House signals it is seeking a resolution. Upcoming Attractions   This week will feature many speaking engagements from various Fed officials, but key economic data releases will be scarce. The primary focus for markets will continue to be on the situation in the Middle East, specifically the timeline for resuming oil shipments from the Persian Gulf. Rates may also come down this week if Fed officials, in their speeches and interviews, attempt to change the rather hawkish…

David Sacks has used up his days as Donald Trump’s AI and crypto czar. Speaking with Bloomberg on Thursday, the longtime entrepreneur, investor, and podcaster, confirmed that his non-consecutive 130-day stint as a special government employee is over and that he’s moving on to co-chair the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) alongside senior White House technology adviser Michael Kratsios.  “I think moving forward as co-chair of PCAST, I can now make recommendations on not just AI but an expanded range of technology topics,” he told Bloomberg via a video interview. “So yes, this is how I’ll…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Why does online sports betting feel like a new phenomenon? It’s likely because it wasn’t until 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that had prevented most states from legalizing sports betting, that states were free to allow it.That opened the door for sports betting to become legal and socially acceptable in many states.By 2023, sports betting (both in person and online) was generating more than $120 billion in bets annually. And all along the way, gambling websites have been perfecting their marketing, and mobile apps have made the betting process feel more…

Few people would consider the field of retirement planning a hotbed of innovation. And yet in the last few years, some top financial services companies have been in the equivalent of a space race, launching a swath of competing investment products designed to help retirees manage their income. (Image credit: Getty Images)What’s going on?Essentially, after decades of helping people stay laser focused on the accumulation of wealth, industry leaders (and retirees) have been grappling with the next challenge: How do you turn decades of hard-won savings into a steady stream of income for the rest of your life?“With millions of…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When oil prices climb, most people brace for higher gas prices, and stop there. But the impact of oil goes far beyond what you pay at the pump.Oil is one of the most important inputs in the global economy. It powers transportation, supports manufacturing and even plays a role in food production. So when prices rise, the effects ripple outward and are often quiet at first. But then it shows up in places you might not immediately connect to crude oil.And with ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Iran, markets are reacting quickly. Even modest increases…