Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways In contrast to most financial advisors, Munger called wide diversification “protection against ignorance,” useful only when you don’t have conviction.  Holding too many positions, he argued, can raise costs, blunt big winners, and still leave you exposed to market shocks. Munger advocated a balanced approach—owning a few great companies plus low-cost index funds—that can capture upside without unnecessary clutter. But he said “know-nothing” investors—which is most people—should rely on broad market index funds. Diversification is almost a sacred word when it comes to investing, but the late Charlie Munger—Warren Buffett’s longtime partner at Berkshire Hathaway—argued that some investors…

As January 2026 draws to a close, two stocks in the consumer goods sector strike me as particularly strong buys — for very different reasons. Shares of soft drinks veteran Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) are setting all-time price records while the rapidly expanding coffee chain Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) backed down 34% from last year’s peak. Yes, the investment theses for these beverage stocks could hardly be more different. But there should be room for both approaches in a diversified investment portfolio. So let’s see why I’m drooling over Coke and Dutch Bros right now. I mean the stocks, not the…

“Retirement is supposed to be relaxing, but it can also be incredibly stressful given that it typically puts people on a fixed income, which may not be enough for them to live comfortably,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “As a result, the best states for retirees are those that have low taxes and a low cost of living to help retirees’ budgets stretch as far as possible. “Having access to excellent medical care and homemaking services is also crucial, especially for people who don’t plan to retire in close proximity to their families.” States with higher living costs can still…

Kofi Ampadu, the partner at a16z who led the firm’s Talent x Opportunity (TxO) fund and program, has left the firm, according to an email he sent to staff that TechCrunch obtained. This comes months after the firm paused TxO and laid off most of its staff. “During my time at the firm, I was deeply grateful for the opportunity and the trust to lead this work,” Ampadu wrote in the email, sent Friday afternoon, with the subject line “Closing My a16z Chapter.” “Identifying out-of-network entrepreneurs and supporting them as they sharpened their ideas, raised capital, and grew into confident…

Key Takeaways For most people, the answer is no—raiding a 401(k) to pay off credit card debt costs far more than grinding through payments.The money withdrawn stops earning money for you, and what looks like a modest sum today could grow to almost $200,000 by retirement. A recent post on Reddit’s r/personalfinance laid out a dilemma many Americans face: I have about $16k of crushing credit card debt I can barely keep paid ($600) a month…. I have a 25k 401(k) account that needs a new home since I just started a new company. Is it just a terrible idea…

Key Takeaways Lewiston, Maine, blends historic industrial character with steady revitalization, offering retirees New England charm, a growing downtown, and a welcoming community.Housing and everyday costs are lower than in much of Maine, and retiree-friendly tax policies help make retirement more affordable.The town’s compact, walkable design, vibrant cultural scene, plus access to Auburn, nature, and the coast make daily life convenient, lively, and outdoorsy.Strong healthcare access, including a regional medical center downtown, gives retirees easy access to the care they need. Lewiston, Maine, is a historic former mill town in Central Maine that has experienced steady revitalization as it moves…

Key Takeaways If you pay off your student loans, your credit score might go down a little. Fortunately, the dip is temporary.For most people, saving a fortune in interest and improving your debt-to-income ratio is far more important than worrying about a few points of your credit score. If you’re like this letter writer, and you’ve come into a large sum of money, you might be thinking about paying off your debts, like your student loans. Even though you’d be freed from monthly payments and save potentially thousands of dollars in future interest, you might worry that it could backfire.…

(Image credit: Getty Images)As 2026 gets underway, individuals and qualifying businesses should be reassessing several tax adjustments already in motion, and refining strategies to ensure they’re positioned as efficiently as possible for the years ahead.Advisers know there’s rarely a “quiet” moment when it comes to tax planning, but the transition into 2026 is proving especially consequential.With key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) now effective and others phasing in, advisers should be helping clients recalibrate their tax strategies in light of a meaningfully altered landscape. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better…

(Image credit: Getty Images)As a financial planner, I see a familiar scene play out often. A new client settles into a chair, opens a thick, leather-bound binder and places it proudly on our conference room table.It’s their “master plan.” It’s been carefully followed for years — and it shows commitment and discipline.But as we start paging through it together, it usually becomes clear that we aren’t just reviewing a plan. We’re revisiting a moment in time. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Social Security claiming decisions are often described as “permanent,” and in most ways, they are. Once benefits begin, the rules governing reductions, delayed credits and spousal coordination leave little room for correction.Yet this narrative misses an important truth: The Social Security Administration does provide two limited but powerful do-over opportunities that can allow claimants to change course when circumstances change or decisions were made too quickly.Those two rules are withdrawal of an application and voluntary suspension. They are often misunderstood, frequently misapplied and sometimes overlooked entirely by consumers and professionals alike. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…