Author: Money Mechanics

As of 2026, the full retirement age for anyone born in the United States in 1960 or later is 67. If that feels like a raw deal, spare a thought for people in Libya, North Africa.In 2022, Libya raised its official retirement age to 70 for both men and women, the highest in the world. With the World Health Organization placing the country’s average life expectancy at just 72.2 years, only a small minority of citizens will likely live long enough to receive full retirement benefits for a significant amount of time.As increasing longevity and diminishing birth rates shrink workforces…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Between tariffs on imported products and weather-related challenges impacting crops, both flowers and chocolate have seen steep price increases ahead of Valentine’s Day. For couples, that means the go-to gift to show your love is going to stretch your budget even thinner this year.If you want your loved one to feel special but you don’t want to break the bank to do it, you’ll have to get a little more creative this year to pull it off.Here’s a closer look at which gifts have seen the biggest price hikes and what you can do to keep your…

It’s not unusual for family heirlooms to hold significant sentimental value. If you’re lucky, they might have a lot of monetary value, too.If you own a bunch of gold jewelry and silver flatware or other pieces that were passed down to you from older generations, you may be eager to sell them sooner rather than later, especially if you’re not particularly attached to them. Despite a recent dip in gold and silver prices, both metals have seen their value increase substantially through the years.Selling your gold and silver could help fund other goals or investments. Plus, it might free up…

The Moody’s Corp. headquarters in New York on Aug. 27, 2024.Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesA version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.Commercial real estate deal volume fell in December for the second straight month, but the full-year numbers reveal some progress, potentially setting up much-needed momentum for this year.Total deal dollar volume dropped 20%…

(World Oil) – ConocoPhillips Chief Executive Officer Ryan Lance’s priority in Venezuela is recouping billions his company is owed almost two decades after its oil projects were nationalized, rather than drilling new wells. Despite roughly $10 billion in favorable judgments from international arbitrators holding Venezuela liable for the seizures, the Houston oil giant’s efforts to recover all it’s owed have been frustrated. Sorting that out takes precedence over making new investments in the Latin American nation, Lance signaled, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for U.S. drillers to help revive the Venezuelan oil sector. “That’s a significant amount of money, we’ve…

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Friday closed up +1.97%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +2.47%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +2.15%.  March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) rose +1.92%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) rose +2.07%. Stock indexes rallied sharply on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrials posting a new all-time high.  Recently beaten-down chipmakers, software companies, and AI-infrastructure stocks surged on Friday on dip buying as they recovered some of this week’s sharp losses.  Stock indexes added to their gains on Friday after the University of Michigan US Feb consumer sentiment index unexpectedly…

Silver crashed after Kevin Warsh’s Fed nomination surprised investors expecting a dovish shift. The metal faces pressure from margin hikes, physical delivery demands, and aggressive Chinese short positioning. Long-term fundamentals stay supportive, but prices remain range-bound, awaiting macro and technical clarity. The sharp falls seen in at the end of last week can reasonably be described as a crash. The main trigger was news that Kevin Warsh had been nominated to lead the Federal Reserve. Until then, markets had been expecting a very dovish choice. That view was shaped by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for a weaker…

Weekly housing inventory data Inventory fell week over week, which isn’t a total surprise for last week, but the magnitude of the decline was notable, and I attribute it to the snowstorm, as we saw a year-over-year decline in new listings data. Soon, this storm’s impact will pass and we will get back on track. Inventory growth, which peaked at 33% in 2025, is now below 9% year over year. The year-over-year comps will get harder as we heading in to spring.  Weekly inventory change: (Jan. 30- Feb. 6): Inventory fell from 696,222 to 687,697 Same week last year: (Jan.…

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Whether you’re considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television’s settings. Let’s explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better.1. Turn down the sharpnessThe sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily.Contrary to popular belief, the “sharpness” setting on your TV doesn’t affect the actual sharpness of the displayed image. True sharpness is determined by…

Key Takeaways Allentown has a median home value of around $303,000, and everyday costs below the national average. Pennsylvania won’t tax your Social Security, pension, or most retirement distributions.Allentown has become Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing city, with a revitalized core that puts restaurants, free museum admission, concerts, and parks within easy reach.Two hospital systems and hundreds of medical facilities across Lehigh County give retirees the specialist access and routine care they need without traveling to Philadelphia or New York. Allentown may not top lists of classic retirement destinations, but for retirees seeking affordability, four-season living, and access to quality healthcare and everyday…