Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)For years, most conversations about energy investing have revolved around familiar vehicles such as publicly traded companies, broad upstream partnerships or diversified energy ETFs.A quiet shift is taking place. A new generation of investors is exploring lesser-known segments of the oil and gas sector in search of real-asset exposure and a clearer understanding of how value is created at the field level.These niche strategies are not mainstream, nor are they suitable for every investor. They require patience, diligence and a grasp of the operational realities that shape outcomes in the energy business. From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The regulatory landscape for retirement investing shifted dramatically last August. A signed executive order opened the door for alternative assets — including cryptocurrency — to enter 401(k) plans.For advisers, this creates both opportunity and obligation: Clients will ask about crypto, and you need a clear framework for responding.What changed (and what didn’t)This change doesn’t mandate that plans adopt cryptocurrency. Rather, it compels regulators at the Department of Labor, SEC and Treasury to revisit previous guidance that discouraged digital assets in retirement accounts. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe…

For many families, the Great Wealth Transfer begins with boxes, not wealth.gettyWhy inheriting a family home can feel more like responsibility than richesFor decades, Baby Boomers have been quietly amassing one of the largest concentrations of wealth in history. Now that wealth is moving downward and across generations, all under the banner of what has come to be called the Great Wealth Transfer.The forecast boggles the mind: trillions of dollars transferred in a grand generational handoff, promising a windfall for adult children and heirs.But there’s a detail buried beneath the optimism that deserves far more attention. For most families, the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)There’s a saying in investing circles that’s been passed down like Grandma’s best recipe: “Time in the market beats timing the market.” And as tired as that line may sound, it’s stood the test of time for a reason.The truth is, trying to guess what the market will do next is a fool’s errand. No one — no matter how many books they’ve written or how many CNBC appearances they’ve logged — has consistently and accurately timed the market over the long haul.But even though we know this, plenty of investors still try to outguess the system.…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Love — and energy — make the world go ’round. But investors have shown a cold, cold heart to the energy sector, particularly conventional oil and gas producers. They’ve suffered from a widespread belief that fossil-fuel energy is in long-term decline.The near-term economic forecast hasn’t helped the stocks, either. Many skeptics feel global growth in 2026 won’t be enough to push the price of oil much above current levels of about $60 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate crude, which is down from highs near $80 in January 2025. And even if demand picks up, producers are…

To help you understand what’s going on in politics and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…Starting the second year of his second term, Donald Trump has put the world on notice, deposing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, toying with ideas to buy or seize Greenland…

(Image credit: Getty Images)More than 200,000 family reunions take place in the U.S. each year, according to research by GroupTravel.org, a website that helps people book group rates for hotels, airfare and more. Families who attend reunions enjoy a renewed connection with loved ones they already know and a chance to meet more-distant relatives.A reunion can also inspire guests to learn about their family history. “It’s a great opportunity for people to have fun, get to know each other and create the kind of memories that they’re going to talk about for years,” says Suzanne Vargus Holloman, co-director of the…

Key Takeaways Millennials have an average 401(k) balance of about $67,300.Many millennials save around 8.7% of their pay into 401(k)s, while experts suggest saving 12%–15% of their pay, including the employer match. Anyone claiming millennials are bad with money hasn’t seen the data. The average millennial is saving about 13% of their income for retirement—close to what experts recommend—and holding a 401(k) balance of $67,300. Here’s what that portfolio actually looks like, and how to measure yours against it. What Millennial Portfolios Look Like Now Millennials have an average 401(k) balance of $67,300, but a much lower median of around…

Key Takeaways Carefully consider balance transfer cards by weighing the cost of fees against savings on interest.Focus on paying off high-interest or “less ideal” debt first and choose a method that works for you. If you’re looking to pay off debt in 2026, you’ve probably already heard all the classic advice. You’ve probably heard that you should pay off high-interest debt first. But that ignores taxes, transfer fees, and whether your debt bought something whose value is going up or down. Here are some under-the-radar tips from financial planners that may help you pay down what you owe this year.…

By Amanda Cooper LONDON, Jan 19 (Reuters) – The dollar fell on Monday, as investors piled into safe havens like the Swiss franc, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats against Europe over Greenland sparked a broad risk-averse move across markets. Trump said over ​the weekend he would impose an additional 10% import tariff from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, ‌the Netherlands, Finland and Britain, until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland. European leaders were scrambling to avert a trade war and on Sunday agreed to intensify their efforts to ‌dissuade Trump from…