Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Renters who stop believing that they’ll ever be able to own a home end up spending more and working less, while those who are planning to buy exhibit better financial discipline, a new study showed.An individual’s outlook on homeownership can also affect investment strategies, with some renters making riskier investment decisions in order to try to gain wealth.The cumulative effect of these financial habits can lead to negative long-term consequences. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. What happens when an individual gives up on the idea of owning a home? They spend more…

(Image credit: Getty Images)This year is shaping up to be another politically, financially and emotionally noisy year.Election cycles crank up the volume: More headlines, more predictions and more anxiety about what might happen next.When the noise level rises, so does the temptation to “do something” with your money. But in my experience, clarity is almost always the better strategy. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck and thought, “I’m set now,” you’re not alone. A higher salary has a way of calming every financial worry, at least at first.But for a lot of professionals, the relief doesn’t last. The raise comes in, spending quietly expands to meet it, and the margin you expected never really appears. What looks like financial security on paper can still feel unsteady in real life. That’s what people usually mean when they talk about the high-earning trap.Defining the high-earning trapThe high-earning trap is simple. You start making more money, but nothing…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For decades, the idea of retirement has been anchored to arbitrary ages: 60, 65, 70, sometimes later.It’s often determined not by readiness, but by tradition, a pension rule or when a sibling or coworker decided to stop working.That framing is outdated. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Question: My grandkids are constantly asking me to support their school and team fundraisers. I love them to pieces, but I’m on a budget. What should I do?Answer: Being a grandparent can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever experience. And it’s natural to want to give your grandkids the best of everything, whether it’s attention, affection, or money.But while you may have an unlimited supply of the first two, if you’re a retiree on a budget, money may be tight. And that could put you in a tough situation if your grandkids are constantly…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Mortgage rates are still a lot higher than they were just a few years ago, and that’s making both buyers and sellers look for creative ways to make the numbers work. One option getting fresh attention in 2026 is the assumable mortgage.It’s a little-known feature that could allow a buyer to take over a seller’s existing low-rate home loan instead of applying for a new one. In the right situation, that could mean locking in a mortgage rate closer to 3% when new loans are hovering around 6% or more. That kind of difference can significantly change…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Buying a new vehicle is a major investment, and the cost of new vehicles has soared in recent years. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new car reached a record $50,326 in December 2025, making any potential savings on a vehicle purchase even more valuable.Costco may be known for offering great deals on groceries, appliances and other items, but the Costco Auto Program could help you save on a new or pre-owned vehicle purchase or lease. While the program provides a more streamlined buying experience, it doesn’t always guarantee the lowest possible price.The…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Investors’ fever for artificial intelligence stocks left other areas of the market looking sickly by comparison. One was health care, which was decidedly out of favor as 2025 began. A larger-than-normal amount of regulatory uncertainty weighed down pharmaceutical companies, insurers and most of the other players in the multitrillion-dollar U.S. health ecosystem.As the AI fever broke and some of those regulatory concerns settled, health care stocks got healthier, if not fully robust.”Valuations are still below historical levels,” as the sector’s recovery is in its early days, says Mike Perrone, a specialist in health care at investment firm…

Key Takeaways High-yield savings, money market, and brokerage cash accounts pay 3%–5% right now, letting you grow your refund without any risk.CDs offer guaranteed APYs up to 4.50% and let you lock in today’s high rates if you won’t need the money for a while.Splitting your refund between a flexible account and a CD can help you earn more while keeping access to some of your cash. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Earn 3% to 5% and Keep Your Money Flexible Last year, the average U.S. tax refund was more than $3,100. Whether your…

Stock futures pointed higher Wednesday ahead of a highly anticipated earnings report from AI chip giant Nvidia. Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively, in recent trading. Yesterday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq, blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, and benchmark S&P 500 closed up a respective 1.1%, 0.8%, and 0.8%, rebounding from sharp declines Monday on worries about AI disruption and uncertainty over the state of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. In a nearly two-hour State of the Union speech Tuesday night, Trump defended his tariffs, some of which were struck down by…