Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Certain spring break activities, like renting a scooter and zip-lining, are often excluded from travel insurance coverage.High-risk or motorized activities often require an extra rider, even when the rest of the trip is covered.When shopping for a travel insurance policy, think through your planned activities so you can choose the right coverage. Spring break planning usually focuses on flights, hotels, and where you’ll eat and explore once you arrive. Travel insurance often gets added as a final step—a box to check for peace of mind. But many travelers are surprised to learn that several common vacation activities may…

Key Takeaways Olive oil is expensive by nature, with years-long tree cultivation, labor-heavy harvesting, low yields, and steady global demand.There’s a wide quality gap between mass-produced olive oil and true extra virgin, and that difference is usually reflected in price.Climate-driven harvest swings and trade policies are layering new costs onto an already expensive staple. Olive oil has always been an expensive product, long before recent price increases caught shoppers’ attention. What many consumers don’t realize is that those higher prices are baked into how olive oil is made—and newer global pressures are now pushing prices even higher. Olive Oil Has…

just soared to some of its most-overbought levels on record, climaxing its largest cyclical bull ever. That was followed by one of gold’s worst down days in history, formally slaying that monster bull. That popular-speculative-mania topping means a serious reckoning is underway. Gold’s drawdowns after past extremes offer insights into the likely magnitude of the carnage traders need to gird themselves to expect. Since 2000, I’ve written 1,212 of these weekly web essays. That discipline has led to a well-established workflow to release them on time. Wednesday mornings I decide on relevant topics, then that day I do all the…

The global market for insurance-linked securities (ILS) is entering a new phase of stability. Following the key January 1, 2026 reinsurance renewal season, Aditya Dutt, President of Aeolus Capital Management, suggests that the sector has transitioned from a period of high volatility into a more disciplined, self-regulating era.Dutt was recently representing his firm, specialist ILS and reinsurance investment manager Aeolus Capital Management Ltd., during an AM Best hosted webinar that focused on the reinsurance renewals and market outlook. According to Dutt, the recent behaviour of investors signals an “increasing level of sophistication” that has effectively balanced the needs of both…

New Yorker state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would impose a moratorium of at least three years on permits tied to the construction and operation of new data centers. While the bill’s prospects are uncertain, Wired reports that New York is at least the sixth state to consider pausing construction of new data centers.  As tech companies plan to spend ever-increasing amounts of money to build AI infrastructure, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about the impact those data centers might have on surrounding communities. Studies have also linked data centers to increased home electricity bills. Critics include…

(Oil Price) – Tankers carrying a total of up to 12 million barrels of crude oil are either en route or close to China in East Asian waters, waiting for buyers in the world’s top crude importer, as India is pulling back. Five of these tankers signal ‘for orders’ or ‘China for orders’ as their status, per data intelligence firm Kpler cited by Bloomberg on Friday. ‘For orders’ typically means the cargo doesn’t have a destination port or buyer. Six other vessels are en route to offshore Singapore and Malaysia, popular ship-to-ship transfer points in Asia, while another four are idling offshore Malaysia,…

This WeekThis was one of those weeks we’ve seen on occasion in the last year (and especially since late October) where markets worry about artificial intelligence (AI). There were two flavors of concern:AI as disruptor: Anthropic’s new AI legal tool drove a selloff (especially) in software (including private markets) over fears AI will disrupt their businesses.AI is EXPENSIVE: GOOG announced plans to double its capex in 2026 to $175-$185 billion, while AMZN plans to boost capex in 2026 nearly 60% to $200 billion, renewing worries about the potential profitability of AI.Aside from AI, there were also three negative(ish) labor market…

Key Takeaways After you die, your bank will freeze your savings account to protect your assets and prevent fraud.If you have a will, an executor will administer and distribute your assets.If you don’t have a will, your account will be processed through a probate court, and a court-appointed executor will manage your assets.You can avoid probate by setting up joint accounts, payable on death (POD) accounts, or living trusts.To close an account, your bank may require your survivors to provide your death certificate and other documents. It may be difficult to think about, but it’s important to plan for what…

Key Takeaways Coca-Cola is slated to report quarterly earnings on Tuesday morning, following a record run for the soda maker’s stock in recent weeks.Options pricing suggests traders expect the stock could reach new highs following the report. The Coca-Cola Company is set to post its fourth-quarter earnings ahead of the market open Tuesday, with traders anticipating the beverage giant’s stock could extend its record-setting rally following the results. Current options pricing suggests traders see Coca-Cola (KO) stock moving up to 3% in either direction by the end of the week following the report. A move of that size from Friday’s…

Key Takeaways Generosity can become costly when social spending, such as buying a round of drinks, over-gifting, or saying yes to every event, undermines your savings goals.Tracking where your money is going can reveal patterns and help you make spending choices that align with your priorities. Generosity is good—but what if it starts to sabotage your savings? You might be spending out of habit or social pressure without realizing how much it’s costing you.  “One of the first things I tell people who consider working with me is that I’m not the fun police,” says Erik Scudder, a certified financial…