Author: Money Mechanics

Silver is approaching the $100 per ounce threshold at a pace that forces investors to reassess whether the move reflects transient enthusiasm or a deeper repricing driven by macro and industrial forces. Futures in New York climbed 3.3% in early trade to $99.58 a troy ounce after briefly touching $99.81, extending a rally that has delivered an approximate 12% gain over the past week and lifted prices more than 40% year to date. The immediate catalysts are clear. A weaker U.S. dollar has improved the metal’s relative appeal, while demand for perceived stores of value has strengthened amid persistent macro…

Selling a business in Idaho can be a great outcome if you prepare for the questions Idaho buyers ask most. In Boise and the Treasure Valley, you’ll often meet experienced operators and strategic buyers who move fast when the numbers are clean. In North Idaho (Coeur d’Alene) and college towns like Moscow, lifestyle buyers show up too, but they still want simple financials, a clear transition plan, and zero surprises. Want a realistic sale price range before you talk to buyers? A professional-style valuation baseline helps you set expectations, pick the right deal structure, and avoid leaving money on the…

Mortgage purchase application data Purchase application data had another positive week, both on a weekly and yearly basis. The main goal with this data set is to achieve at least 12-14 weeks of week-to-week gains, and so far, the year is heading in that direction. Last week, we observed 5% week-over-week growth and 18% year-over-year growth. In 2026, the extremely low threshold for year-over-year growth in this index is now gone, so it’s somewhat surprising that we’ve reported double-digit year-over-year growth for both weeks.  These applications typically lead sales data by 30 to 90 days. Here’s 2026 so far: 2…

(BOE Report) – The U.S. takeover of Venezuela’s oil exports has re-routed crude barrels that were being used to service debt owed to China. How much does Venezuela owe China, and how and why was the country getting debt payments after Venezuela’s default? HOW MUCH DOES VENEZUELA OWE CHINA? Data on Venezuela’s debt is sketchy, particularly since 2017 when U.S. sanctions triggered a sovereign default. AidData, a research lab at the U.S. university William & Mary which tracks lending, estimated that official sector Chinese creditors extended loan commitments worth $106 billion to Venezuela between 2000 and 2018. Separately, they calculated…

You may have heard that the 2026 tax season, which begins January 26, is the first to be impacted by President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax law, known by some as the “big, beautiful bill.”New tax changes, from revamped credits and one less free filing option to updated 1099‑K rules and new schedules for special breaks, could affect whether you owe money or get a tax refund, and how quickly the IRS processes your return.On that note, the IRS is still implementing the changes and updating systems amid budget and staffing pressures. So be prepared this filing season for longer wait…

Did you know that JPMorgan Chase is the biggest bank in the country? In 2025, it held over $4.5 trillion in assets and had 85 million customers. Considering how popular the bank is, one might assume that Chase offers the best account features on the market, including competitive rates on savings accounts. However, if you’re hoping to open a high-yield savings account (HYSA), Chase isn’t the right bank for you. Here’s a closer look at Chase Bank’s savings account offerings, and why you should look elsewhere for an HYSA. Banking with a major national bank like Chase has its benefits…

Chris Bayer/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysYour car’s USB ports can do much more than charge your phone.Use your USB ports to play music or update your car’s system.Even with wireless tech, USB ports still have their place.In 2005, about 3.3 million cars sold included at least one USB port. Twenty years later, more than 200 million cars have embedded connectivity outlets (USB-A), and these days, a significant portion of them have USB-C ports. Some vehicles have as many as nine ports. Even many newer-model motorcycles have USB outlets.Also: Your TV’s USB port has…

This WeekThis week saw geopolitical tensions around Greenland rise and then fall, overshadowing good news from inflation and spending data.Specifically, headline and core PCE inflation (the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge) both came in at 2.8% YoY in November and have been essentially flat since August as inflation may be nearing its peak. That’s helped by the fact that core goods inflation has also flattened, indicating that tariff-related inflation may also peak soon. On the consumer front, real consumer spending grew at a solid +0.3% monthly pace in October and November on broad-based spending, including across discretionary categories (recreation, restaurants,…

What Millennials Have Saved in Defined Contribution Accounts    Average  Median  25-34  $42,640  $16,255  35-44  $103,552  $39,958 Source: Vanguard’s How America Saves 2025 report How Much the Median Millennial Could Have Saved by 2055 We’re going to do two calculations based on the two age groups above (25–34 and 35–44) for the median millennial. We’ll choose an age roughly in the middle of each of these groups: 30 (roughly the middle of the 25–34 age group) and 40 (roughly the middle of the 35–44 age group). This is how much the median 30-year-old millennial today could have saved by age…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you want to manage your money better this year, one thing is essential: Organization. It’s not exciting, but it works. Fortunately, getting your financial house in order doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.A quarter-by-quarter approach breaks financial planning into manageable, easy-to-do steps that coincide with the seasons of the year.By focusing on a few priorities each quarter, you can steadily organize and simplify your financial life — freeing up mental space to zero in on what matters most in terms of your short-term financial needs and long-term financial and lifestyle goals. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…