Author: Money Mechanics

Caftor/Shutterstock Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Owning your home can make you feel more secure as a retiree. So can having a nest egg to draw from. If you have $143,000 in cash, you should be doing something with it, as having that much money sitting in the bank isn’t a good idea. You risk missing opportunities and the value of your money eroding due to inflation. But what should you do with that money? Since you’re already retired, you have to be a little more cautious about your…

For the defense and mining industries, 2025 was a standout year. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF tracks the performance of a basket of over 40 U.S. aerospace and defense companies. The fund delivered a total return of nearly 49% in 2025, its best calendar year performance in over a decade. The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF tracks the performance of a basket of over 30 U.S. mining and metals stocks. Its performance was even more impressive, delivering a total return of around 83%, its best since 2016. Now, several giants in these two industries are rewarding investors…

Nearly two years to the day since Keller Williams settled the home seller commission lawsuits, the firm has announced a settlement with the Batton homebuyer commission lawsuit plaintiffs. The company announced its settlement agreement on Monday. As part of the nationwide settlement agreement, Keller Williams will pay $20 million. The firm did not disclose any other terms of the settlement, but a company spokesperson clarified that it did not include any new business practice changes.  According to the firm, under the terms of the settlement all “KWRI franchisees, agents, and teams are released from antitrust claims by all persons who…

By now, the Forbes 30 Under 30 list has become more than a little notorious for the amount of entrants who go on to be charged with fraud. Notable alumni include FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Frank CEO Charlie Javice, Joanna Smith-Griffin, founder of the AI startup AllHere Education, and “pharma bro” Martin Shkreli, among others. Now, another member of the list has been hit with federal charges. Gökçe Güven, a 26-year-old Turkish national and the founder and CEO of fintech startup Kalder, was charged last week with alleged securities fraud, wire fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The New…

KEY TAKEAWAYS To avoid refund delays, experts recommend taxpayers file their 2025 returns electronically and get their refund via direct deposit.Most taxpayers who will face problems this year are those trying to take advantage of the new tax breaks in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ but don’t understand the details of the tax law changes.The IRS help phone line is expected to be very busy this year. Taxpayers can find the answers to most of their questions on the IRS website or through free tax assistance programs. The IRS may have some trouble this filing season thanks to changes to…

Key Takeaways It’s preferable to fund your retirement via multiple income streams, rather than just one. This makes your finances more stable.Guaranteed sources like Social Security and pensions can fund predictable expenses. Part-time work and investments can fill in gaps.Other options include annuities and reverse mortgages, though both come with major downsides. Retirement stability isn’t just about how much you’ve saved up, but how that wealth will generate income throughout retirement. Identifying where your cash flow will come from can simplify retirement planning and reduce anxiety later on. Social Security Benefits  The average retired worker receives about $2,071 per month…

Key Takeaways The top savings rate is still 5.00% even after three Fed cuts, but most other high-yield savings rates have slipped.Of the two accounts that pay 5.00%, both cap that rate at $5,000 while requiring conditions that limit who can benefit.No-strings savings accounts pay as much as 4.60%, while CDs will let you lock in a rate of up to 4.50% for months or years into the future. While Many Savings Rates Have Slipped, the Top APY Is Hanging On at 5% Even after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times last fall, the very top savings account…

Key Takeaways Alphabet is slated to post fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday afternoon, with traders expecting the stock to potentially set new records following the report.Revenue is expected to hit another record high amid questions facing tech giants about AI spending and realizing a return on those investments. Alphabet (GOOGL) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday. Traders expect a substantial move in the shares after the report, potentially to new highs. Current options pricing suggests that traders expect the stock to rise or fall by more than 5% from Monday’s close just under $345 by the…

Key Takeaways An inherited home can cost more than expected, as expenses such as taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments can start right away.Without a trust or transfer-on-death deed, heirs may pay bills for months before selling or moving in due to the probate process.Receiving a home may not negatively impact your taxes, but there are trade-offs to selling, renting, or keeping the home. After your parents or grandparents pass away, you may expect to receive some type of inheritance, whether it’s old jewelry, leftover retirement account assets, or even a home. While inheriting a home can be a blessing, it…

Key Takeaways A spouse’s death often brings a lasting decline in income, research shows.Major financial decisions after a spouse’s death can include when to claim Social Security, how quickly to draw on your savings, and how to account for the change in tax-filing status. Delaying major moves and reviewing benefits, withdrawals, and beneficiaries can help protect long-term retirement security. How a Death Can Change Your Retirement Picture If your spouse passes away before you, it’s important to understand how that affects your finances. The financial impact can be significant. On average, annual income falls by $5,500 after the death of a…