Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways A report by the Consumer Policy Center showed that homebuyers and sellers could be leaving thousands on the table by sticking with a traditional real estate commission structure.Real estate commissions are generally 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price, but more low-fee brokers are emerging, offering similar services for half that price or less.There are several steps buyers and sellers can take to negotiate better rates and make sure that agents aren’t steering them away from better deals. American homebuyers and sellers could be shelling out thousands more than necessary just to close a deal. A new…

(BOE Report) – Chevron is one of at least two companies vying for Lukoil’s global assets, despite the Russian energy company’s initial agreement last week to sell them to U.S. private equity firm Carlyle, four sources familiar with the conversations said. Lukoil has until February 28 to sell the assets, the latest deadline set by the U.S. Treasury, which imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft last year to push Moscow to agree a peace deal with Ukraine. A partnership between Chevron and Texas-based Quantum Energy Partners, as well as a group led by investment bank Xtellus Partners, is still in talks…

Key Takeaways Stellantis shares sank sharply Friday morning after the company announced a “reset” of its electric vehicle business.The company expects to post a net loss for 2025 and will take on about $26 billion in charges for the second half of 2025 as it pivots to focus less on EVs. Another big automaker is making major changes to its electric vehicle strategy. Investors aren’t cheering the move. Shares of Stellantis (STLA) plunged 25% Friday morning to their lowest point since April 2020, after the automaker announced several changes as part of a “reset” of its business to better meet…

Key Takeaways Altcoins, digital asset treasuries, crypto-linked stocks were punished as an index measuring “fear and greed” descended to “extreme fear” levels.Bitcoin ETF investors are “underwater,” a strategist said. This week’s crypto bloodbath hasn’t just worried bitcoin owners. It’s also sparked fresh anxieties about the future of digital assets. The price of bitcoin plunged yesterday to near $60,000, marking one of its worst single-day declines in the past decade. Though the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value has been recouping some lost ground so far Friday—it was recently trading around $71,000—the week’s losses are still tracking in the double-digits. Other…

Key Takeaways Mutual funds are governed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, a regulatory framework that contains robust protections for investors. Mutual funds are well-suited to retirement accounts, where their tax inefficiency is irrelevant, and their automatic investment features support long-term saving. ETFs have taken market share away from mutual funds due to their reputation for lower fees and tax efficiency, but those advantages aren’t universal. Mutual funds can still play a valuable role in diversified portfolios, especially if you’re seeking active management or exposure to markets where ETFs are less effective due to their intraday price fluctuations or…

Key Takeaways Dollar-cost averaging reduces the impact of market volatility by ensuring an investor contributes a stable amount at regular intervals. Mutual funds make DCA easy through automatic investment and reinvestment features. The combination promotes discipline and reduces emotional decision-making. DCA and mutual funds are an ideal combination for those with a long-term investment plan that will likely experience market volatility. As famed fund manager Peter Lynch once quipped, “The only problem with market timing is getting the timing right.” Even the most seasoned investors struggle to consistently buy low and sell high, the result of both unexpected volatility in…

Key Takeaways Once Upon a Farm, a children’s food company, announced the sale of about 11 million shares at $18 each in its initial public offering.Actress Jennifer Garner’s company is slated to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange Friday. A children’s food company co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner is slated to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange today. The business, Once Upon a Farm, said late yesterday that its initial public offering raised nearly $200 million. The company, set to trade on the New York Stock Exchange using the symbol “OFRM,” sold nearly 11 million shares…

Key Takeaways Amazon shares plunged Friday after the tech giant fell short of profit estimates and outlined bigger-than-expected spending plans.Several Wall Street analysts lowered their price targets for Amazon stock after the results, citing concerns about the company’s spending. Amazon said it plans to invest heavily in its AI buildout this year, and investors aren’t pleased. Shares of the world’s largest cloud provider were down about 8% in recent trading, making Amazon the worst-performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average Friday, at a time when broader markets rose. The tech giant said yesterday it could spend up to $200…

Key Takeaways Saving your first $10,000 by age 30 is possible, even on a modest income.To get there, treat saving as a fixed expense, rather than an afterthought, and use automation to pay yourself first.Start small, contribute consistently, and take advantage of any employer matching for your 401(k) contributions. “I saved my first $10k at 30yo.” That’s the straightforward title of a recent post shared on Reddit’s r/povertyfinance forum, where one user outlined how they reached a major savings milestone despite growing up with limited financial resources and being “100% self-employed.” This post demonstrates that saving $10,000 by age 30…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Retirement confidence doesn’t come from having unlimited wealth. It comes from having a money structure that provides clarity, security and flexibility regardless of what markets or life throws at you.Research from Morningstar shows that retirees with clear financial frameworks report significantly lower stress levels than those with equivalent assets but no organizational system.The most confident retirees don’t simply hold a diversified portfolio and hope for the best. They build their money into distinct layers, each serving a specific purpose and time horizon. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe…