Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Crew Carwash, a family-owned company with 55 Midwest locations, topped Glassdoor’s 2026 list.Tech is falling back on the list, dropping from 31 companies in 2024 to 24 in 2026. Google has free meals, nap pods, and a nearly $4 trillion market cap. Crew Carwash has tuition reimbursement and locations in Indiana and Minnesota. And this year, the car wash won the title of America’s best place to work. That’s according to Glassdoor, which just released its 18th annual “Best Places to Work” list. The top two spots went to Crew Carwash, a family-owned chain with 55 locations in…

Henry Schwartz ▬ January 22, 2026 Key TakeawaysRecord-Breaking Growth: 2025 marked the sixth consecutive record year for U.S. listed optionsBroad-Based Expansion: Daily trading averaged 61 million contracts, fueled by significant growth across all segmentsHistoric Single-Day Volumes: Single-day options volume exceeded 70 million contracts on 21 days in 2025.Innovation in Products: Zero days to expiry (0DTE) SPX options averaged 2.3 million contracts daily and comprised 59% of the product’s total volume.What’s Ahead: Regulatory trends, expanded broker offerings, and advances in AI and prediction markets are expected to further drive growth and product innovation in 2026.2025 was the sixth consecutive record year…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump said in a press conference this week that $2,000 tariff “dividend” rebate checks are still in the works.Trump also questioned whether Congress would need to approve the checks, which could cost the government between $300 billion and $600 billion.Experts said that it’s unlikely that the White House would be able to go around Congress, where some legislators say the tariff money should be spent on paying down debt. Tariff rebate checks are still in the works for many Americans, and it may not be that difficult to get them approved, according to President Donald Trump.…

Key Takeaways Crypto firm BitGo’s debut today follows a number of crypto companies that went public last year, including stablecoin issuer Circle, and the Winklevoss brothers’ Gemini.This year is said to be a “supercycle” for public debuts with possible mega IPOs from the likes of Anthropic and SpaceX. This year is expected to be a big one for IPOs. A crypto company will kick things off today. Crypto custodian BitGo last night priced its initial public offering at $18, implying a market capitalization of around $2 billion based on estimated total shares outstanding. The company is expected to begin trading…

While Tennessee homeowners grapple with skyrocketing local assessments, state lawmakers are moving to build a permanent firewall.Local property appraiser reports indicate that property values in high-growth hubs, like Davidson County, have increased by as much as 45% over the last four years — a surge that often translates into a larger local tax bill.In response, the Tennessee General Assembly is racing to pass a constitutional ban on any future statewide property tax, alongside emerging proposals to cap local rate hikes and grant full reimbursements for homeowners aged 65 and older. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For anyone relocating overseas — whether for a job opportunity, a long-planned retirement abroad or the lure of a better lifestyle — the biggest financial risk often isn’t navigating taxes or buying property abroad. It’s choosing the wrong international moving company.Moving your entire life across borders is nothing like hiring a truck for a domestic relocation. You’re dealing with customs regulations, import duties, port handling fees, international shipping logistics and a level of bureaucracy that can overwhelm even organized planners.Yet many people choose a mover based on a quick search or a low quote, only to discover…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you are a financial professional or you’re piloting your family’s financial ship, statistics and survey results can help you prove a point to clients or family members.Take the survey results below, which highlight the disconnect between what advisers say they do and what clients perceive regarding advice on when to claim Social Security.According to a study by the Alliance for Lifetime Income: 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…

Question: I’m a 63-year-old married man with two adult children, but I am also living a double life. I have a secret second family that my first family knows nothing about. I’ve worked hard over the years to amass a fortune — a sizable nest egg, two vacation properties, family heirlooms — and I love both families dearly.I want to ensure everyone is taken care of after I’m gone, but I’m not ready to confess my secret. I know I need to update my will, but I’m terrified that the legal process will expose my second family to my first.…

Key Takeaways Medical school can cost $300,000 to $400,000, and parents often consider tapping their retirement funds to help.Experts strongly discourage this because large withdrawals trigger heavy taxes and penalties. Four years of medical school cost a median of $297,745 at public schools and $408,150 at private institutions, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. For parents who want to help, those sums can make retirement accounts, often their largest asset, look like the obvious solution. However, experts strongly advise against raiding 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts for your child’s education. “Every situation is different, but in general, you…

(Image credit: Getty Images)While all eyes have been on the runaway U.S. bull market, emerging markets stocks have delivered impressive results. The MSCI Emerging Markets stock index returned 29.7% in 2025 through November, far ahead of the S&P 500’s 17.8% gain.Emerging-markets fans say the rally is just the beginning of a long-term trend, supported by an evolving world order focused on deglobalization that will accelerate earnings growth and favorable currency swings in emerging markets over a period of several years.”The U.S. market and the U.S. dollar have been kings for 15 years,” says Arjun Jayaraman, a portfolio manager and head…