Author: Money Mechanics

The gap between the best and worse off Americans is growing — and economists don’t see an end in sight.The “K-shaped” economy has been top of mind for consumers, corporate leaders, policymakers and investors since the Covid pandemic drastically reshaped Americans’ financial habits almost six years ago. Economists now warn that this two-speed economic structure is a core feature — rather than a passing fad — within the world’s largest economy.”This is not a cyclical or temporary phenomena,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “This is a structural, fundamental issue.”The prevailing theory goes something like this: Higher-earning consumers,…

LG/ZDNETLooking to leap into the realm of multi-monitor setups, or just need to upgrade your current displays? Right now at LG, when you preorder the 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor, you can get the 27-inch UltraGear LED monitor for free (a $300 value). And while the OLED model is on the pricey side, this bundle deal lets you get two high -nd gaming screens for the price of one.Also: The best gaming PCs you can buyThe new UltraGear OLED gaming monitor features the brightest and fastest screen from the brand. With a maximum brightness of 300 nits, it might not…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump endorsed a plan to fund most of the government through September while extending Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks as Congress debates reforms to the agency.But the Senate hasn’t approved the deal, and the House isn’t set to vote until Monday at the earliest.Unlike last fall’s 43-day shutdown, a partial stoppage this weekend would affect only a handful of agencies. A partial government shutdown is likely to begin this weekend, but it shouldn’t last long. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that he supports a deal in Congress that would prevent a partial…

How far your salary stretches depends on a variety of factors, such as where you live, the size of your family, and your individual tastes. In the U.S., earning $20 or less an hour may be enough in some cities, but fall short of what’s needed in other areas. However, earning a modest salary doesn’t necessarily preclude you from having financial stability. Many Americans Earn Less Than $20 an Hour Here are four facts about earning $20 or less an hour in the U.S. More than a third of Americans earn $20 an hour or less, which comes to roughly…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve’s spate of rate cuts and its recent decision to pause those cuts have had significant effects on household finances.Cash has lost some of its lustre, with interest rates on CDs and high-yield savings accounts falling over the course of the year. The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold its key interest rate steady on Wednesday had implications for the U.S. economy—and for financial matters much closer to home.Rates on all kinds of loans have responded to the Federal Reserve’s recent moves, directly affecting household finances. Starting in September, the Fed cut its influential fed funds rate…

Key Takeaways Paramount in November announced price hikes, which took effect in early 2026.Several other major streaming companies have also raised subscription prices in recent months, including Disney and Apple.Consumers seem to be sticking with their services, while some are opting for cheaper, ad-supported tiers that streamers have introduced in recent years. If you haven’t checked how much your streaming services cost in a while, you might be spending more than you think. You can thank “streamflation.” Many of the country’s biggest entertainment companies have hiked subscription prices, with Netflix (NFLX), Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max, Disney’s (DIS) Disney+ and…

Death and taxes are life’s two certainties, but what if you could have more control over the latter in retirement? That’s the goal of the “Take That, Uncle Sam” rule of retirement spending.With this approach, money is withdrawn strategically to limit your tax exposure. The less you pay Uncle Sam, the more you have to spend or leave to your heirs.It’s a strategy any retiree can use, but timing is everything. Those who spend more early in retirement must structure their plan differently from those who wait until later. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter,…

Key Takeaways Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican, has threatened to block President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve.Tillis objects to the Justice Department’s investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.Tillis is not seeking re-election in November, so he could hold up the nomination for less than a year. A key Republican lawmaker likes President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Federal Reserve—and is threatening to block his appointment anyway.While Trump has chosen his nominee for the chair position, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh must still be approved by the Senate. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis,…

For a long time, “unlimited” phone plans felt like the safe choice. You paid one flat monthly bill and didn’t have to think much about how many texts you sent or how often you opened an app on the go. But for many people, that peace of mind now comes with a higher price tag, especially when most of the day is spent connected to Wi-Fi at home, work or around town.That’s why some light phone users are starting to look at pay-as-you-go plans again. Instead of paying $70 to $100+ every month for data you rarely touch, these plans…

Key Takeaways Seniors on Medicare should pay close attention to what kind of visit they have with their primary care physician to make sure it’s covered.Unlike traditional health insurance, Medicare Part B doesn’t cover annual physicals. New to Medicare? Knowing the difference between a wellness visit and a routine physical exam could save you a lot of money. Medicare Part B insurance—which helps cover preventative and medically necessary services—offers yearly wellness visits at no cost to patients. Unlike traditional insurance, which typically covers annual preventative care, routine physical exams are not covered by Medicare Part B, so a patient must…