Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Use cash or a money‑market account first because withdrawals don’t trigger taxes or penalties and they keep your retirement fund intact.​ Roth IRA contributions are a conditional backup: you can pull out funds tax‑ and penalty‑free, but you lose future tax‑free growth. 401(k) withdrawals and loans should be used as a last resort due to the penalties and fees that can be associated with them. When your roof starts leaking or the furnace dies, waiting until you have the cash to repair it may not be an option.​ Most households do not keep a separate, fully-funded account for…

Key Takeaways The 7-month “Slam Dunk CD” pays either 3.90% or 4.25% APY, depending on Villanova’s home game results.You must apply by Feb. 28, 2026, and fund the CD with at least $100.It’s clever marketing, but higher rates and better terms can be found elsewhere. How a College Basketball Win Changes This CD Rate Ardent Credit Union in Philadelphia has found a novel way to attract deposits: tying the interest rate on one of its certificates of deposit (CDs) to the outcome of basketball games. Its “Slam Dunk CD” has a 7-month term with the payout linked specifically to whether…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The S&P 500 crossed the psychologically significant 7,000 level for the first time ever but trended lower into the Fed’s decision to hold the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. Stocks were up and down for much of Wednesday’s trading session and closed mixed amid a recovery for a big health care stock and solid signals from multiple AI stocks.Two voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) dissented from today’s decision to hold interest rates steady: Stephen Miran, appointed last year by President Donald Trump to complete Adriana Kugler’s term…

Key Takeaways Despite three Fed rate cuts at the end of last year, the top CD rate climbed from 4.30% to 4.50% earlier this month.Banks and credit unions compete for deposits, and a single standout offer can reset the leading CD rate.Shopping around for a competitive rate is important for ensuring your savings stay ahead of today’s elevated inflation.  The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged today, marking its first rate hold after cutting it at its final three meetings last year. But despite no movement from the central bank since December, the top certificate of deposit (CD)…

January 28, 2026 03:35 PM EST Here’s How to Stream Today’s Big Tech Earnings Calls  FROM Just Now Three Magnificent 7 companies report earnings today, which means three closely followed conference calls. (Should you listen, too? Here’s Investopedia’s take.) Meta’s call is set to start at 4:30 p.m. ET; you can listen to it here. The company said it will publish a transcript of the call on the investor relations section of its site.  Microsoft’s call is set for 5:30 p.m. ET; it can be streamed here.  Tesla’s call is also scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. you can stream it…

In-brief analysis January 28, 2026 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration In the week ending January 25, 2026, as Winter Storm Fern affected significant portions of the country, coal-fired electricity generation in the Lower 48 states increased 31% from the previous week. The increase contrasts with coal use in the earlier part of January, which had milder weather and consequently lower coal-fired generation compared with the same period in 2025. During the week of Winter Storm Fern, natural gas generation in the Lower 48 states increased 14% from the previous week while…

Catastrophe risk modeling specialist Karen Clark & Company (KCC) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Deanne Nixon as Senior Vice President, who joins the firm from global climate risk coverage platform Arbol.Based in Florida, Nixon, a respected industry figure, most recently served as a Senior Adviser for Reinsurance at Arbol, where she played a key role in strengthening the firm’s offerings. Nixon is well-known for her time at Weston Insurance. During her eight year tenure at the firm, she served in a number of high leadership roles, including more than six years as the Florida specialists Chief…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. January 28, 2026 Federal Open Market Committee reaffirms its “Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy” For release at 2:00 p.m. EST The Federal Open Market Committee, at its annual organization meeting this week, unanimously reaffirmed its “Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy,” often known as the consensus statement, which articulates its approach to monetary policy. The reaffirmed statement is identical to the version adopted in August 2025. The Committee…

Selling a business in Wyoming can be very rewarding, but it’s a different game than selling in a dense coastal state. Buyer pools are smaller, distance matters, and many deals are tied to local realities like energy cycles, tourism seasons, ranching, and government or infrastructure work. This guide walks you through Wyoming-specific steps, credible local resources, and practical tips to help you get top dollar in 2026. Want a realistic Wyoming sale price range before you talk to buyers? If you know your true “market range” early, you can price smarter, negotiate harder, and focus your time on improvements that…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The RedMagic Air 11 will be available on the official site starting Janurary 29th.It’s a brilliant phone with looks and performance to spare.Its performance is tuned down compared to the 11 Pro. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.I’ve reviewed a few of RedMagic’s devices, and not once have I come away disappointed. In fact, as the RedMagic lineup continues to evolve, they just get better and better, and the Air 11 is a testament to that improvement.The problem is, every time I review a RedMagic phone, I want one. That was the case with the…