Author: Money Mechanics

The U.S. labor market barely budged in January, with hiring below even muted expectations, according to a report Wednesday from payrolls processing firm ADP.Private companies added just 22,000 positions for the month and the number would have been negative had it not been for a surge of 74,000 hires in the education and health services category. The total was less than the downwardly revised 37,000 increase in December and below the Dow Jones consensus forecast for 45,000.The report starts 2026 off on basically the same note where 2025 ended: A lackluster job market in a low-hire, low-fire environment that likely…

Football fans across the nation are gearing up for Super Bowl LX, the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks, set to take place tonight, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. If you’re more of a here-for-the-snacks-and-halftime-show viewer, don’t worry — you’ll be treated to a performance by Bad Bunny and others. Also: The best 85-inch TVs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewedThis year, the game will be broadcast on NBC and Telemundo, and will stream live on Peacock as well. Unless you have cable or plan to watch the game over the air…

(Oil Price) – TotalEnergies is expanding its exploration portfolio offshore Namibia with acreage north of a block where a major oil discovery has been made, as the supermajor looks to boost activity in the new global exploration hotspot. TotalEnergies on Friday announced it had signed agreements to buy a 42.5% operated interest in the PEL104 exploration license offshore Namibia from Eight Offshore Investments Holdings and Maravilla Oil & Gas. Upon completion of the transaction, TotalEnergies will be the operator of the license, which lies north of the PEL 83 license of the giant Mopane discovery. The French supermajor will own a 42.5% interest…

Key Takeaways Pre-retirees heavily invested in AI stocks may be taking on more risk than intended and should consider rebalancing their portfolios to maintain diversification, according to personal finance expert Jean Chatzky. For those concerned about a recession, keeping a few years’ worth of expenses in cash or fixed income in retirement can help you avoid selling longer-term assets during market downturns. A lot has happened in the world of personal finance in the past year—from the passage of new tax legislation to the AI boom that has lifted the stock market to record highs. For individuals planning to retire…

Key Takeaways Olympic gold medals aren’t solid gold, but they’re still worth thousands based on metal content alone.Most U.S. Olympians no longer owe federal taxes on medal-related prize money, easing a long-standing financial burden.The real value of a medal often comes after the podium, through exposure, endorsements, and career opportunities. As the upcoming Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, attention naturally shifts to records, rivalries, and the prestige of making it to the podium. But after the celebrations end, a practical question always resurfaces: What are those medals actually worth? The answer depends on how you define “worth.” There’s…

Key Takeaways Strict no-buy challenges often backfire because rigid rules rely on willpower and can trigger burnout or rebound spending.More sustainable money habits work by adding friction to impulse spending and automating better choices in the background.Small, flexible habit changes can reduce guilt, limit overspending, and help savings stick over the long term. Why No-Buy Challenges Feel So Hard to Maintain No-buy challenges—like the popular “No-Buy January”—can be appealing when your spending feels out of control. They promise a clean reset, clear rules, and quick results. For many people, the idea of pressing pause on spending offers a sense of…

Key Takeaways Almonds and cashews require vast resources to grow and process for consumption, increasing the costs that are then passed along to you.Cashews require tropical environments for ideal growing. Climate stress makes these regions more difficult to work in.Tariffs on countries producing cashews—and growing global demand for almonds, which are mainly grown in the U.S.—raise costs as well. Why Almonds and Cashews Cost More To Grow Than Most Snacks One of the most important determinants of how cashews or almonds—or almost any good that you buy at the grocery store—are priced is the cost to grow and process those…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Nearly 130 million Americans watched last year’s relatively boring Super Bowl in which my Philadelphia Eagles throttled the Kansas City Chiefs.One reason so many may have stayed interested in the blowout was that Americans bet an estimated $1.4 billion on the contest. Of course, anyone who took the Chiefs may have lost interest by halftime.What may be lost in the entertainment of sports betting is the parallels to how financial markets work. Both industries channel a vast number of opinions into wagers that are hard to win consistently. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become…

Key Takeaways These five locations share access to quality health care, mild climates, and a cost of living far lower than in the U.S.Before relocating, research visas, health care, language, and local conditions. Consider living in the chosen destination for a few months before fully committing. More Americans are looking to retire abroad—driven by rising costs in the U.S. or a desire for something new. South America offers many compelling options. South America can cost far less than Europe, another popular destination for American retirees. Depending on the destination, retirement in South America can deliver solid health care, mild weather,…

Key Takeaways Hellertown, Pennsylvania, is a small borough in Northampton County.Located in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, it’s close to Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton.The borough is very walkable with trails for biking, running, and walking, and acres of green space.Hellertown is an affordable place to live, with the cost of living just slightly higher than the national average.Primary healthcare and urgent care needs are accessible locally, while major hospitals are a quick drive away in the neighboring major cities. Hellertown, Pennsylvania, is a borough located in the state’s Lehigh Valley. It’s a historic, close-knit community near several larger cities. Popular…