Author: Money Mechanics

Unlike almost every other major nation, the U.S. government does not fund its Olympic athletes, let alone their retirement accounts. Most Team USA members live below the poverty line while training, relying on side hustles or “mom and dad” to survive. Starting with the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics, Ross Stevens, Founder and CEO of Stone Ridge Holdings Group, will give $200,000 to every U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete — even if they don’t win a medal.The “Passing the Torch” report, produced by the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics & Paralympics, highlights a significant wealth gap: nearly 60% of…

Key Takeaways The 59,000-person riverfront town of Dubuque, Iowa, has a small but involved community of retirees.The median rent and median home value are attractive compared with nationwide medians—you get a lot of bang for your buck here.Local taxes are generally favorable for retirees as well.The town offers plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation along the Mississippi River and with miles of hiking and biking trails. With a population of just under 59,000, Dubuque, Iowa, is a large Midwestern town on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. It’s not just appealing for its beautiful setting—its size and its strong community of…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett’s 90/10 strategy involves allocating 90% of assets to a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and 10% to short-term government bonds.The 90/10 rule offers simplicity, lower fees, and the potential for higher returns.The strategy is based on historical returns for the S&P 500, as well as Buffett’s skepticism about the performance of the average fund manager.Critics say such a high allocation to equities isn’t suitable for all investors, particularly those nearing retirement or already retired. The 90/10 rule comes from legendary Warren Buffett’s advice for average investors. Put 90% of your money into a low-cost S&P 500…

Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series featuring the best retirement quotes and wisdom from top financial experts, leaders, and public figures. Other articles feature Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. Seuss, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.When it comes to winning on and off the field, Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, knows a thing or two about success. After all, as one of the greatest football coaches of all time, Lombardi didn’t rise to prominence until he was 45 years old. After years as an assistant, he went on…

Key Takeaways Rising U.S. health care costs are driving more Americans to look abroad for treatment and long-term care options.France, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and Panama all offer high-quality health care that expats say rivals U.S. care, but at a fraction of the cost.Private health care is affordable and widely available in these countries, while residents can also access low-cost public systems. Why More Americans Are Looking Outside the U.S. for Health Care High health care costs, coverage gaps, and long wait times are pushing many Americans to delay care or skip treatment altogether. Nearly half of U.S. adults worry…

Key Takeaways Tuition at international universities is often significantly cheaper than at U.S. institutions.However, students considering this path should be aware of the hidden costs, such as the challenges of navigating a new educational system in a foreign country. The Trend: Students Going Global for College More U.S. students are applying to college abroad. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service found that, for the 2025-2026 school year, U.K. universities accepted 10% more U.S. undergraduates than a year earlier. Factors Driving U.S. Students to Apply Abroad Tuition Many U.S. students cite rising tuition costs as a key factor for considering international…

For the past year, the markets were fueled by a “high” that felt unstoppable: the rise of AI. But as we move into 2026, this “secular tailwind” has hit heavy turbulence, leading many investors to reflexively move their money into “old school” stocks (cyclicals) and other “anti-AI” themes, including emerging markets stocks. Yet simply swapping one big theme for another — convergence — may well turn out to be an inferior response. There is a simple reason for this. We have entered a period of profound “secular uncertainty” as traditional economic and business logic is being increasingly influenced by questions…

TOPSHOT – US President Donald Trump (L) and China’s President Xi Jinping arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025.Andrew Caballero-reynolds | Afp | Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had a “long and thorough call” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, naming Iran, Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s energy purchases and his upcoming visit in April among the key talking points. Beijing’s statement, however, singled out Taiwan as “the most important issue” in bilateral relations, urging the U.S. to “handle the issue of…

Key Takeaways Central America sits three to five hours from most U.S. cities. If you’re considering retiring here but still want to make trips to the U.S., that means no jet lag. Living in Costa Rica is a bit pricier than in other Central American countries. Numbeo rates its cost-of-living index at 52.9 versus Panama’s 45.5, Guatemala’s 40.4, and Nicaragua’s 34.2. The U.S. is 68.8.But you might find that Costa Rica’s solid infrastructure, healthcare quality, and political stability are worth it.The U.S. State Department rates Panama and Costa Rica at Level 2 (exercise increased caution). Guatemala and Nicaragua are at…

Key Takeaways Baytown’s median home price of around $264,000 combined with Texas’s lack of state income tax can stretch retirement savings further than pricier Gulf Coast alternatives.The city is just 25 miles from Houston’s Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex, giving retirees access to advanced specialty care without paying big-city housing prices.Many residents live an outdoor lifestyle centered on fishing, kayaking, and birding along Galveston Bay. As the cost of living continues to rise in many long-established retirement hot spots, more people are quietly expanding their search. Retirees are starting to look at secondary Gulf Coast cities that…