Author: Money Mechanics

Just 30% of Americans believe advances in AI will help boost the economy and help more people afford homes, according to a recent Redfin survey. The majority of both Democrats and Republicans believe AI will make it harder to afford homes.   Nearly two-thirds of Americans say tariffs will cause inflation and keep interest rates high, while 31% say tariffs will boost the economy.  Half believe less immigration will result in fewer construction workers and fewer new homes, hurting housing affordability, while 35% believe less immigration will reduce demand for housing and help affordability.  Nearly half say loosening zoning rules will…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – Global energy markets are entering a new phase of disruption as attacks on critical infrastructure across the Middle East begin to translate into real supply losses, not just risk premiums. Brent crude surged to multi-year highs, briefly touching around $119 per barrel, as traders reacted to widening outages across oil and gas systems. The move reflects a market increasingly focused on physical disruption rather than just geopolitical headlines. At the center of the shock is a wave of coordinated strikes on energy infrastructure. Drone attacks have forced refinery shutdowns in multiple Gulf states, including…

(Image credit: Getty Images)In the financial advising world, success isn’t just about production. It’s about people: The clients who trust you to guide them through life’s biggest financial decisions.Building strong relationships with your clients is more than just a nice-to-have; it’s the secret sauce that can set you apart in a crowded industry.One of our advisers, Dale Smothers, founder of R.D. Smothers Wealth Management in Campbellsville, Kentucky, and a Kiplinger contributor, puts it this way: “We are in the relationship business, not the sales business. If you view yourself as a relationship manager, things get a whole lot easier on…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Harlan couldn’t tell you much about retirement. He didn’t exactly retire in the traditional sense. But he could teach you a lot about self-reliance and determination – traits more older adults are putting into practice today.He needed both when he started his business. After all, he was 65. But people loved what he was cooking up, so he kept going. Soon, he wasn’t just Harlan. He was Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.It’s a familiar story now, and one that more people seem eager to follow.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance…

The godfather of heavy metal may have been known for his unmatched showmanship and unfiltered honesty, but he was also adept when it came to imparting wisdom that retirees could live by.From his mantra of “living for today and not tomorrow” to his quest for “serenity,” Ozzy’s music has not only influenced generations but has also given us the ultimate rock and roll retirement guide.Whether you are a lifelong Ozzy fan or are only familiar with his many hits, here’s a look at some of his lyrics that retirees can apply in their everyday lives to embrace the journey ahead.Article…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Gas prices rarely stay predictable for long. And when fuel costs swing, many drivers start reconsidering their options at the dealership.That shift is showing up in the electric vehicle market. After years of higher sticker prices, electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more financially competitive with traditional gas-powered cars, especially in the used market.A wave of lease returns, increased supply and steep depreciation has pushed many used EV prices down to levels similar to comparable gas vehicles. At the same time, buyers weighing the switch still need to consider insurance costs, charging access and long-term maintenance. Here’s…

(Image credit: Getty Images)No family plans for the phone call that comes late at night.A parent rushed to the hospital. A frightening diagnosis. A sudden fall that changes everything. The unexpected loss of someone close.When moments like these arrive, families quickly discover that their carefully constructed financial plans are only one piece of a much larger reality. In the middle of a crisis, the biggest challenges are rarely about investment allocations or tax strategies.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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)About 60% of Americans have money invested in the stock market. Because markets always move up and down, that also means that on any given day most people are not quite sure how much money they have.In recent times, this has worked out okay because the good days have tended to exceed the bad.But right now, many people are concerned. According to the weekly survey of the American Association of Individual Investors, on February 5, 2026, almost a third (29%) of investors expect the market to fall in the next six months.Article continues below From just $107.88…

Polymarket Acquires DeFi Startup Brahma Prediction platform Polymarket, says it bought crypto infrastructure startup Brahma. The acquisition, first reported by Fortune, was later confirmed in post on social media by Wu Blockchain Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the integration will see Brahma’s team and technology integrated into Polymarket’s core platform. Brahma, founded in 2021, has processed over $1 billion in transaction volume by providing non-custodial tools that simplify complex DeFi workflows. “With this acquisition, our team and our technology live on, to help scale Polymarket and its ecosystem to even greater heights,” Brahma noted in a post on X. More From…

Qatar’s outage will span years. Repairs to damage at Qatar’s massive Ras Laffan complex will take three to five years to complete, according to QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi, cited by Reuters, turning what markets initially treated as a wartime disruption into a lengthy structural supply loss. About 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity is now effectively sidelined for years to come. Up until now, traders were focused on the timing. When flows might resume, when the Strait of Hormuz might reopen, when force majeures would be lifted. This update shifts the likely assumptions from weeks or even months to years.…