Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you follow technology news, you’ve likely noticed a steady rise in large-scale data breaches and cyber incidents.These attacks are becoming more significant for both personal data exposure and financial loss.The growing use of AI and modern technologies has made it easier for criminals to create and automate malware, impersonate employees and exploit weaknesses in systems quicker than before. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Being a military spouse can throw constant curveballs your way. Between demanding work schedules for the servicemember, frequent moves and living alone or taking on single-parenting duties during deployments, the life of a military spouse is all about navigating disruption.If you’re a military spouse handling the family finances, whether by choice or necessity, this article aims to help you feel empowered and prepared to make smart financial decisions.Here are practical tips and resources that will help you manage your finances and military life. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor.…

The great Irish poet William Butler Yeats asked what to do about “decrepit age that has been tied to me as to a dog’s tail?”Robert Browning, the renowned English poet, on the other hand, urged: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”Aging is often viewed as two extremes — the bleak years of Yeats or Browning’s joyful future. 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…

Picture this: You’re gliding down the slopes of Verbier, enjoying the snow-capped mountains and the elation of the wind kissing your cheeks. As you make your way down the slope, you notice people gathering around a downed skier, and your heart stops as you recognize it is someone in your party. They’re having a medical emergency.On top of having to contend with the trauma of having a loved one go through a medical emergency overseas, there’s another side of the coin: If you don’t have the right kind of coverage, you could be on the hook for all medical expenses,…

Nobody likes a tax season surprise — especially when it’s a bill instead of a check. While the House GOP has projected $1,000 payouts for many taxpayers under the new 2025 laws, the reality for some will be a higher income tax bill or a shockingly lower refund.Why the discrepancy? It can come down to life changes or missed opportunities. Maybe you no longer qualify for the student loan interest deduction, or perhaps you’re leaving money on the table by taking the standard deduction instead of itemizing.To help you avoid a shock on filing day, here are six common ways…

Key Takeaways Vanguard is launching a new 401(k) fund that lets you purchase an annuity.Annuities provide guaranteed income in retirement, offer some opportunity for growth, and have certain tax advantages.They’re also complex and often costly, charging administrative fees and commissions in addition to lump-sum or recurring premium payments.To decide if an annuity is right for you, consider your health, risk tolerance, and other sources of guaranteed income, like Social Security or workplace pensions.Understand, too, the true costs, benefits, and caveats of any contract before adding an annuity to your retirement plan. Vanguard is launching a new 401(k) target date fund…

Key Takeaways For those starting their work life between the ages of 16 and 24, the median salary is $40,092 per year ($771 per week).The age group that earns the most, according to Federal Reserve data, is the 35-44 cohort, at $72,020 per year ($1,385 per week).The “median” salary is the halfway point of all salaries, meaning that half of workers earned more than that and half earned less. Once you’ve settled into a new job, you might find yourself focused on the day-to-day, filling your time with meetings, tasks, and projects that keep you busy. You might not think…

When boomers and most Gen Xers entered the world, the “retirement dream” was a standardized, almost guaranteed transition. From the 1950s through the 1970s, part of the financial burden of aging was shouldered by employers through defined-benefit pensions — a “thank you” for decades of hard work and loyalty. For those born in the mid-century era, the idea of a “401(k)” didn’t even exist.But as we stand in 2026, the goalposts haven’t just moved; they’ve been relocated to an entirely different stadium. For boomers and Gen X, the challenge is unique: you are the “bridge generation,” tasked with funding a…

Decisions made by the Federal Reserve to increase the benchmark rate do not directly impact auto loans but rather the cost for banks to lend. The higher the Fed sets rates, the higher auto loan rates will likely be. The Fed made its third and last rate cut of 2025 in December, bringing the new target rate to 3.50-3.75%. In the first meeting of 2026, rates have remained stable. The Federal Reserve is a complex facet of the American economic system. The Fed determines how much it costs banks to borrow money at its eight or so meetings per year.…

Cold weather and supply disruptions have driven sharp swings between $2.60 and $5 per MMBtu. Storage levels offer some cushion, but repeated cold snaps could still push prices higher. A breakout above $4 would likely open the door for a move toward $5. Prices for near-term Henry Hub contracts have been very volatile, swinging between about $2.60 and $5 per MMBtu. Right now, prices sit near the middle of that range, slightly closer to the lower end. If cold conditions persist or another severe weather event hits, a move back toward $5 per MMBtu looks likely. At the same time,…