Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Many people open new bank accounts without closing their old ones, a trend known as soft switching. Having multiple accounts can help you take advantage of higher interest rates, protect larger balances, and keep your money organized. Pay attention to bank fees, balance requirements, and dormancy rules when you open a new bank account if you keep your old one. Soft switching is the trend of opening a new bank account without closing your current one. This allows you to, say, try new account features or a higher interest rate without disrupting your financial setup. It’s OK to…

Key Takeaways Many cash options are still delivering competitive yields in the 3%–5% range if you know where to look. The best savings accounts, CDs, Treasuries, and some brokerage cash options offer strong returns with almost no risk. Picking the right place for your cash can significantly boost what $10,000—or much more—earns over time. See Where Cash Is Paying the Most Right Now—All in One Chart With the Federal Reserve now in wait-and-see mode, many savers are taking a closer look at where to keep their cash. While a rate cut would likely have pushed cash yields lower, the Fed’s…

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Thursday closed down -0.13%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.11%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down -0.53%.  March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) fell -0.20%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) fell -0.57%. Stock indexes settled mostly lower on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average falling to 1-week lows.   AI spending worries weighed on stocks on Thursday, as Microsoft sank -10% after reporting underwhelming growth in its cloud business and higher-than-expected expenses. The rout in Microsoft undercut most Magnificent Seven technology stocks, sans Meta Platforms and Apple, and…

In-brief analysis January 30, 2026 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hourly Electric Grid MonitorNote: Data show net electricity inflows and outflows for the hours beginning at midnight January 1, 2026, to 11:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026, eastern time. Hydro-Quebec trade flows occur at these interfaces: Highgate, Phase 2, and the New England Clean Energy Connect. Over the past few years, Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) has relied less on Canada for electricity. On January 16, 2026, the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), a 1,200 megawatt (MW) transmission line…

The gap between the best and worse off Americans is growing — and economists don’t see an end in sight.The “K-shaped” economy has been top of mind for consumers, corporate leaders, policymakers and investors since the Covid pandemic drastically reshaped Americans’ financial habits almost six years ago. Economists now warn that this two-speed economic structure is a core feature — rather than a passing fad — within the world’s largest economy.”This is not a cyclical or temporary phenomena,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “This is a structural, fundamental issue.”The prevailing theory goes something like this: Higher-earning consumers,…

LG/ZDNETLooking to leap into the realm of multi-monitor setups, or just need to upgrade your current displays? Right now at LG, when you preorder the 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor, you can get the 27-inch UltraGear LED monitor for free (a $300 value). And while the OLED model is on the pricey side, this bundle deal lets you get two high -nd gaming screens for the price of one.Also: The best gaming PCs you can buyThe new UltraGear OLED gaming monitor features the brightest and fastest screen from the brand. With a maximum brightness of 300 nits, it might not…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump endorsed a plan to fund most of the government through September while extending Department of Homeland Security funding for two weeks as Congress debates reforms to the agency.But the Senate hasn’t approved the deal, and the House isn’t set to vote until Monday at the earliest.Unlike last fall’s 43-day shutdown, a partial stoppage this weekend would affect only a handful of agencies. A partial government shutdown is likely to begin this weekend, but it shouldn’t last long. President Donald Trump said late Thursday that he supports a deal in Congress that would prevent a partial…

How far your salary stretches depends on a variety of factors, such as where you live, the size of your family, and your individual tastes. In the U.S., earning $20 or less an hour may be enough in some cities, but fall short of what’s needed in other areas. However, earning a modest salary doesn’t necessarily preclude you from having financial stability. Many Americans Earn Less Than $20 an Hour Here are four facts about earning $20 or less an hour in the U.S. More than a third of Americans earn $20 an hour or less, which comes to roughly…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve’s spate of rate cuts and its recent decision to pause those cuts have had significant effects on household finances.Cash has lost some of its lustre, with interest rates on CDs and high-yield savings accounts falling over the course of the year. The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold its key interest rate steady on Wednesday had implications for the U.S. economy—and for financial matters much closer to home.Rates on all kinds of loans have responded to the Federal Reserve’s recent moves, directly affecting household finances. Starting in September, the Fed cut its influential fed funds rate…

Key Takeaways Paramount in November announced price hikes, which took effect in early 2026.Several other major streaming companies have also raised subscription prices in recent months, including Disney and Apple.Consumers seem to be sticking with their services, while some are opting for cheaper, ad-supported tiers that streamers have introduced in recent years. If you haven’t checked how much your streaming services cost in a while, you might be spending more than you think. You can thank “streamflation.” Many of the country’s biggest entertainment companies have hiked subscription prices, with Netflix (NFLX), Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max, Disney’s (DIS) Disney+ and…