Author: Money Mechanics

(Oil Price) – At the end of February, the Alberta government released its draft budget for the year, forecasting a deficit resulting from low oil prices, set to extend over the next three years. Now, Canada—and Alberta specifically—are about to become some of the big winners from the oil price rally resulting from the Middle East supply crunch. Canadian oil producers are set to get an additional revenue of some C$90 billion ($65.6 billion) from the rally, Enverus recently predicted, using modelling that showed for every $10 gain in oil prices, Canadian producers stood to see additional revenues to the tune of between…

As we approach the 2026 mid-term elections and the close of a historic tax season, some lawmakers are already pivoting toward new tax relief proposals. Two plans in particular are designed to provide income tax cuts for low- and middle-income households by raising taxes on high earners.Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) recently introduced a plan to almost triple the federal standard deduction to $75,000.Regarding the proposal, Booker said in a release, “This tax cut would immediately put more money in your pocket every month to deal with the high price of everyday expenses, an unexpected emergency, or to plan for the…

A little-known IRS rule and an interesting court case could mean some taxpayers get back penalties and interest they paid during the pandemic years.Headlines make it sound huge, but the reality is more targeted, not automatic, and in flux at the moment. And, of course, most tax relief comes with deadlines.So, the question is, are you eligible, and if so, what should you do to claim your money? Here’s more of what you need to know.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…

You made it to 70. Retiring at this point may seem like a no-brainer. After all, you are past your Full Retirement Age (FRA). You won’t collect any extra money from Social Security by waiting any additional years.If you have been diligently saving during your working years, you probably have a nice nest egg to live off when you retire. Plus, Medicare is in full swing by now, so you don’t have to worry about funding most of your health care when you stop working.But just because you’ve reached 70 doesn’t mean you have to call it quits. There are…

House hunters have the upper hand, allowing them to abandon deals over price, repairs or second thoughts. Cancellations are most common in Tampa and San Antonio, where there are roughly twice as many sellers as buyers.  More than 42,000 U.S. home-sale agreements fell through in February, equal to 13.7% of homes that went under contract that month. That’s up from 12.8% a year earlier, and the highest February share in records dating back to 2017.   This is based on a Redfin analysis of MLS pending-sales data. The data is seasonal; typically, there’s a higher share of cancellations at the…

Cauldron Ferm has an unlikely origin story, as startups go. Its core technology can be traced back to the 1960s, or maybe the 1970s. The exact start is a bit hazy, actually. What is known is that David and Polly McLennan had a dream of feeding the world using protein grown from microbes. The pair knew they needed to improve the process, which was pricy and time consuming. Most fermentation happens in batches. Picture a brewery or a vineyard. Ingredients go in and the microbes work for a while, but then the process stops when it’s time to take out…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For years, investors have been trained to ask financial advisors one simple question: “Are you a fiduciary?”It sounds smart. It sounds protective. It sounds like due diligence. But in practice, it often accomplishes very little.If you really want to protect yourself, there’s a better question to ask — one that separates marketing language from legal accountability.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 FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper…

(Image credit: Getty Images)How did you first get started with investing? My dad taught us kids by example. He opened custodial brokerage accounts, bought us stocks, regularly invested, and — most important held onto them.It took me well into my adulthood to appreciate just how lucky — and unusual — it was to be taught sound investment principles at such a young age. My dad’s influence shaped how I approach investing today.Teens and investingThe good news is that teens are interested in investing. At Vanguard, we’ve seen a 56% increase in custodial brokerage accounts from 2020 to 2025.Article continues below…

(Image credit: Getty Images)2026 is turning out to be a volatile year for the equities market. While all three main benchmarks finished January in positive territory, broader risk-off sentiment toward artificial intelligence (AI) stocks and concerns about inflation and the economy have weighed on sentiment.More worrisome of late is the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has oil prices trading at their highest level in four years. While the bull market is still intact, the recent sell-off has the stock market teetering near correction territory.And the bond market isn’t looking much better. Indeed, rising oil prices have fueled inflation…

Family phone plans are designed to lower costs by bundling multiple lines under one account, often with multi-line discounts that reduce the overall bill.Added perks like shared data pools and simplified billing can make them especially appealing for households with teens or multiple users.In many cases, these plans offer real savings and convenience. But as your lifestyle, usage habits and travel needs change, what once worked well may no longer be the best fit. In some situations, switching to individual plans can offer better value and flexibility, sometimes even at a lower cost.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for…