Author: Money Mechanics

Higher housing costs, along with economic uncertainty that comes with the Iran war, are causing some house hunters to think twice.  The weekly average mortgage rate has hit a three-month high of 6.22% as the Iran war and jitters about inflation rattle markets. The daily average mortgage rate rose as high as 6.55% on Tuesday.  Markets are bouncing around this week as investors try to keep up with conflicting messages about the conflict in the Middle East; stocks and bonds rallied on Monday after the White House said the U.S. and Iran had productive conversations, but it is unclear when…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For many private business owners, their company is not just a source of pride but also the cornerstone of their personal wealth. Ensuring the longevity of that value — both for the business and their family — requires careful, proactive planning.Yet too often, estate planning and business succession are treated as separate projects, when in fact, their integration is essential for maximizing value, minimizing taxes, and ensuring a smooth transition regardless of whether the business is designed for the next generation of family owners or is being groomed for sale.This article explores how business owners can strategically…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For decades, retirement planning has revolved around one primary objective: Save as much money as possible.Many people do exactly that. They live below their means, max out their 401(k)s, invest consistently, pay down debt and trust that if they stay disciplined, everything will work out.But when retirement finally arrives, the primary objective rapidly shifts. It’s no longer about building the nest egg; it’s about living on it. That’s where uncertainty can creep in.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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When you walk into your community bank, credit union or independent mortgage bank (IMB), you expect something different than the big national players.You want to be recognized. You want someone who understands your financial situation and can help you navigate it. You want the personal touch that made you choose a local institution in the first place.So when you hear that your credit union or community bank is implementing AI, it’s natural to worry about what that means.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Planning a trip can be stressful, but when it’s across the country to visit six colleges in Southern California in five days, it can be downright daunting.It’s especially tricky when one college is in Beverly Hills, and the other is in San Diego. Add the fact that we want to layer some sightseeing, picturesque sunsets and a hike to the Hollywood sign, and you can see why I was feeling overwhelmed at the sheer thought of it all.The easy part (kind of) was booking all the college tours. I based the visits on the colleges’ availability. (That’s…

It’s common to use loans for major financial undertakings, such as debt consolidation, home renovations, or car purchases. But loans can be useful for covering smaller goals, too — or even emergencies. Small loans may not be as common as larger ones, but you can find lenders offering loan minimums as small as $1,000 today. Here’s a look at where you can find $1,000 loans and other options for borrowing smaller amounts. Not every lender offers loans as small as $1,000; many have minimum loan amounts of $2,000 to $5,000. There are also other ways to access $1,000 when you’re…

Crude oil inventories in the United States increased by 6.9 million barrels during the week ending March 20, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released on Wednesday. The increase brings commercial stockpiles to 456.2 million barrels according to government data, which is 0.1% above the five-year average for this time of year. The EIA’s data release follows API’s figures that were released a day earlier, which reported that crude oil inventories saw a build of 2.3 million barrels in the period. Crude prices were down in early trade on Wednesday morning despite the ongoing stagnation…

On Wednesday, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac adopted extensive changes to their requirements for approvals of condominium projects that are eligible for their loan purchase.  The changes created more flexibility and affordability with respect to replacement cost and deductible requirements for condo insurance– but took a step backward by ending authority for what are called limited reviews. Why is this issue important? There are an estimated 5.4 million owner-occupied condominium units in the United States, accounting for roughly 6.3% of all owner-occupied homes.  Condos are commonly significantly more affordable than site-built homes – and for many moderate-income homebuyers, the only…

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysAndroid Auto users are experiencing connection issues.Most problems are tied to either Pixel or Galaxy phones.There are a few temporary fixes.If you’ve had problems with your vehicle’s Android Auto over the past few days, you’re not alone.Last week, posts began surfacing across several platforms, including Reddit, Google’s official support forum, and others, detailing how Android Auto either won’t hold a connection or won’t connect at all. Sometimes users report that the connection fixes after a few seconds, and sometimes after a few minutes. Both wired and wireless connections…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – A project once written off is finding new life as shifting geopolitics and tighter global supply reshape North America’s energy priorities. Momentum is building around a potential revival of Keystone XL, with Canadian officials and industry leaders re-engaging with U.S. counterparts to discuss what a new cross-border pipeline framework could look like. Discussions with the Trump administration signal a renewed willingness to revisit infrastructure that had previously been sidelined amid political and environmental opposition. The timing is not accidental. Disruptions tied to instability in the Middle East are driving higher oil prices and reinforcing the…