Author: Money Mechanics

Orico / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysYour iPhone’s USB-C port does far more than charge devices.USB-C turns your iPhone into a hub for work, media, and storage.Wired USB-C accessories deliver faster, more reliable performance.For years, the iPhone was stuck with the Lightning port, even as Apple moved its other devices to USB-C. That meant keeping one cable for my iPhone and another for my iPad and Mac. However, starting with the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple finally made the switch.Every current iPhone model, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and…

Key Takeaways Median bank account balances in the U.S. range from $5,400 for those under 35 to $13,400 for ages 65–74, according to Federal Reserve data. Couples report higher median savings than single households. College-educated households have the highest bank balances. The data reflects median—not average—savings, offering a more accurate snapshot of what typical Americans hold in their bank accounts. To boost your savings faster, consider a top high-yield savings account, money market account, or CD. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. How Much Cash Americans Keep in the Bank—And Where You Stand Ever wondered…

Just a few minutes back, while I was evaluating possibilities of a military strike by the U.S. on Iran, if it really occurs on Saturday as expected after repeated threats by President Trump after Oman’s meeting between the diplomats from the U.S. and Iran, it remains inconclusive, leading to a final threat from President Trump.But suddenly, a shift in Trump’s stance, as he said on Friday, the maximum he would give Iran to make a deal is 10-15 days, while Iran’s foreign minister says a draft nuclear agreement could be ready in the next few days.I tried to dig more…

SageSure, the catastrophe-exposed property specialist MGU, continues to seek $175 million of multi-peril reinsurance protection through its latest catastrophe bond, the Gateway Re Ltd. (Series 2026-2), deal, but the company is aiming to capitalise on investor appetite and has lowered and narrowed the price guidance for the notes, Artemis can report.SageSure re-entered the cat bond market earlier this month with the thirteenth issuance in the Gateway Re series of cat bonds. All of the Gateway Re cat bond series provide capital markets backed reinsurance to protect a range of underwriting entities owned by or linked to SageSure. Initially, the target…

Online creators and their business models were on our mind this week after mega-popular YouTuber MrBeast announced that his company is buying fintech startup Step, followed by Hollywood studios sending a flurry of cease-and-desist letters to ByteDance over the launch of its new video generation model Seedance 2.0. Those seemingly unconnected headlines suggest a media landscape in the midst of transformative change, as popular YouTubers look to diversify their business models, with the threat and promise of increasingly powerful generative AI tools on the horizon. On the latest episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec, Rebecca Bellan, and I debated…

(BOE Report) – American financier Gentry Beach, who has ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s family, signed an agreement with Russia’s energy giant Novatek last autumn to develop natural gas in Alaska amid Western sanctions against Russia, the New York Times reported on Friday. In August, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.S. and Russian officials discussed several potential energy deals on the sidelines of the negotiations. Sources familiar with the talks said the business proposals were designed to encourage the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal…

Key Takeaways Financial experts say you’ll need about 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your lifestyle in retirement.For the median U.S. household income ($83,730), you’d need about $5,233 per month in retirement. Using the 4% rule, that means that you’d need to save $1.57 million in total. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. When preparing for retirement, you’re probably wondering, will I have enough? To answer this, you’ll need to know a few key numbers. First, how much money will you need per month in retirement? And then, how much money will…

Key Takeaways These four towns—Lafayette, Louisiana; Pella, Iowa; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Fairlawn, Ohio—offer crawfish boils, tulip festivals, mountain hikes, and access to national parks, plus 10-gigabit municipal internet.Median home prices in these towns run 14% to 35% below the national average, with costs of living 4% to 14% lower. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. About 14% of Americans now work remotely, more than double the percentage before the pandemic. If you’re one of them, you likely need little more to work than some space and a solid internet connection. If you can log in…

Key Takeaways If your college major has a high unemployment rate, it may be more difficult to land a full-time job in your field after graduation.Be flexible, stay open to all job opportunities, and don’t get tied to a ‘dream job’.If you don’t have any full-time experience to promote on your resume, highlight your volunteer work, internships, and part-time employment. For success in the job market, your college major can have a big impact, determining how much you’re paid and your likelihood of getting a job. The job market have been especially challenging for recent graduates facing higher unemployment rates…

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldThe writer is the former deputy prime minister of CanadaThe Supreme Court’s tariffs decision on Friday gives the US and its allies the chance for a reset. “Liberation day” tariffs imposed in April, and the ineffective international reaction to them, hurt regular Americans and strained the country’s relationship with its closest friends. The Supreme Court’s ruling offers a rare opportunity to fix that historic error. If they are smart, leaders on both sides of the aisle in Washington, and on…