Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is likely to cut rates in 2026, but internal divisions and mixed economic data could limit the extent and pace.Even with a new Fed chair appointed by President Donald Trump, interest-rate decisions will still depend on committee consensus. The Federal Reserve is heading into a tricky 2026, as officials debate the economy’s mixed signals and President Donald Trump is due to name a new Fed chair. The central bank will likely lower rates a couple of times, some analysts say, as November’s jobs report brought the latest evidence of a weakening economy. One big question…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett believes you should invest in businesses that you understand, rather than in the investing fad that everyone is talking about. Instead of jumping on what’s hot, Buffett has been staying away from tech and hoarding T-bills/cash, while shrinking his Apple (AAPL) stake. History repeats itself: Buffett didn’t buy tech stocks in 1999–2000 and he was transparent about why. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has surged to all time highs in 2025, driven by sustained fervor around artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies. But whenever crowd enthusiasm gets concentrated in a hot sector, Warren Buffett grows skeptical. At the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Everybody (rightfully) looks forward to booking a vacation, especially in the dreary days of winter. But the ever-present issue with travel is that, well, it costs a lot of money. Between picking out flights, shelling out for hotels and selecting special destination experiences, the vacation tab starts out high and only continues to climb.That’s where the new “buy now, pay later” options have been coming in handy for many travelers. But does it make sense to use buy now, pay later as a way to afford your vacation?While there are certainly upsides, there is a lot you…

If you’re a Bilt cardholder, you’ve probably seen the headlines about the company’s breakup with Wells Fargo, and maybe wondered what it actually means for your points, your rent rewards and your credit card going into 2026. The truth is, this transition is a pretty big deal, not just for renters who love earning points on monthly payments, but for anyone who’s built Bilt into their rewards strategy.Over the next few months, the original Wells Fargo-issued Bilt Mastercard will wind down, a brand-new lineup of Bilt cards will roll out and every current cardholder will need to make a choice…

Key Takeaways An exemption that made student loan forgiveness tax-free ends in 2025.That means borrowers who complete the requirements for forgiveness in 2026 should prepare for a higher tax bill.Taxpayers who achieve the requirements for loan forgiveness before 2025 ends, however, will not pay taxes on it, even if their loan discharge is in 2026. If you expect to have your federal student loans forgiven in 2026, you should check now to see if you’ll owe taxes on those funds. Under a temporary tax rule created during the pandemic, borrowers who became eligible to have their loans discharged under an…

Do you want an estate plan that prioritizes flexibility, probate avoidance and keeps you in charge? Or one that focuses on long-term asset protection and estate tax minimization? This short quiz will help you understand if your current needs align more closely with a revocable or an irrevocable trust. Let’s find your fit!If you want to learn more about trusts and estate planning, you can follow the links below the personality quiz to expand your knowledge.More on Trusts, from the Kiplinger team: From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88…

Key Takeaways Canada ticks a lot of boxes for retirees, including affordable quality healthcare, low cost-of-living options, natural beauty, and cultural similarities. The less-expensive places are generally more isolated, although cities in some provinces are accessible price-wise. The biggest drawbacks to retiring in Canada are the potential difficulty obtaining a visa and the cold winters. If you’re looking for a less costly place to retire and aren’t prioritizing year-round warm weather, Canada could offer you choices. The Great White North is close, safe, friendly, mainly English-speaking, and culturally similar to the U.S. It also offers stunning natural beauty, high-quality health…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts during the fall are having a ripple effect across most consumer savings rates. The federal funds rate — the rate banks use to borrow and lend to one another — recently dropped to a target range of 3.75% to 4%, the lowest level in about three years. And the consensus among economists is that rates will continue to fall modestly in 2026, perhaps by another half a percentage point or so by year-end.The result for savers: The days of easily earning 5% or more on cash have passed, financial advisers say.“Many…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The price of gold, driven by a confluence of factors, rallied to repeated new highs in 2025.Investment demand likely will persist in 2026, particularly if the global economy cools.Structural portfolio reallocation could further support the price of gold. Gold investors enjoyed an almost unprecedented price rally in 2025. The question now is how much the market run persists into the new year. In a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainty, gold’s safe-haven reputation thrived this year as it had not since the high-inflation era of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The precious metal’s price has surged…

The charitable giving landscape is set for its most significant tax overhaul in a decade. Starting in 2026, new federal tax rules — enacted via the big GOP/Trump tax and spending bill — will change how nearly every American taxpayer can deduct contributions on federal returns.For instance, a new tax break allows those who claim the 2026 standard deduction to deduct charitable giving donations. At the same time, new rules limit how the itemized charitable deduction reduces taxes for high earners.Below are three big ways the charitable deduction is changing for individual taxpayers in 2026, and what these new rules…