Author: Money Mechanics

Six influencers recently announced that they are leaving esports group FaZe Clan following unsuccessful contract negotiations with new management. Bloomberg reports that influencers known as Adapt, Jason, Ronaldo, Lacy, Rage, and Silky — the entire roster on the FaZe Clan website — all announced that they are leaving the group.  Adapt wrote on X that he’d spent 14 years as part of FaZe Clan: “Over half of my life, I’d be lying if I said this didn’t hurt, but it had to be done.” Another FaZe Clan member who left in August had described the situation as one where the…

Key Takeaways Texas offers retirees the absence of a state income tax plus lower living costs.Jefferson County provides coastal living at an affordable price.Maverick County offers small-town charm with an authentic Mexican feel.Gregg County blends East Texas culture with strong health care options. If you’re starting to think about where you might like to retire, Texas should be on your list of possible landing spots. With no state income tax, a lower cost of living, and plenty of sunshine, it’s a retirement destination that balances affordability with lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to fishing along the coast, enjoying the slower pace…

Key Takeaways Gold prices have surged to new all-time highs in 2025. The current gold surge is fueled by inflation, economic risks, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence. Buffett has called gold an “unproductive” asset that doesn’t generate income. Berkshire had a brief gold mining stake in 2020. In 2025, gold prices are the highest they’ve ever been, as both investors and central banks increase their holdings to hedge against inflation, economic risks, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence. However, legendary investor Warren Buffett has voiced skepticism about gold as a long-term investment. In this article,…

MS Amlin is back in the market to place securitized notes under its Phoenix Re series of collateralized reinsurance sidecar deals, with a $24.5 million tranche of notes under its Singapore registered Special Purpose Reinsurance Vehicle named Phoenix 2 Re Pte. Ltd. so far, Artemis can reveal.2026 will be the sixth consecutive year that MS Amlin, via its MS Amlin Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. division, has returned to the capital markets to renew protection through its collateralized catastrophe quota share reinsurance sidecar vehicles, which fall under the Phoenix Re name. Singapore based special purpose reinsurance vehicles have been used in…

Key Takeaways Baby boomers’ concerns include whether they have enough saved for retirement, taxes, and managing their legacy. Financial advisors claim the best way to ease these anxieties is through planning. That could include testing to see if retirement income will be enough before retiring, ensuring withdrawals don’t put you in a higher tax bracket, and prefunding a health savings account (HSA). For many baby boomers, retirement and growing old is a frightening prospect. Gone are the days of the employer paying a guaranteed lifetime pension income. Now, the onus is on them to build one and try to figure…

Key Takeaways If you receive a holiday bonus or gift money, you may want to put most of it toward long-term financial goals and use a bit to treat yourself, too.Think about how to invest these funds for long-term growth.Even if you can’t fully accomplish a financial goal with your year-end check, building some momentum helps. The holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation offers a useful reminder about what not to do with a big year-end check. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) plans to use his holiday bonus to install a swimming pool—before the money actually arrives. While it all works…

(Oil Price)– The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United States saw a build of 2.4 million barrels in the week ending December 19. Crude oil inventories shrank by 9.3 million barrels in the week prior. Crude oil inventories in the United States are so far showing a net decrease of 6.7 million barrels for the year, according to Oilprice calculations of API data. Earlier this week, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that crude oil inventories in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) have risen by 800,000 barrels to 413 million barrels in the week ending…

Key Takeaways Among the most common financial mistakes, a scattered portfolio, old accounts, and overlooked documents can quietly drain wealth.Tax inefficiency and outdated beneficiaries often go unnoticed until it’s too late.If you want to prevent costly mistakes, make sure you have a clear financial plan that you regularly revisit and adjust as necessary. Many people assume their finances are in decent shape—until a closer look reveals gaps that can cost them money, time, and peace of mind. Carolyn McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners, says new clients often arrive with portfolios and plans that don’t line up with their goals—or…

Key Takeaways You can find active gallery scenes and theater districts in towns where homes cost half the national average.In smaller artistic towns, social life can involve gallery walks and workshops rather than expensive country clubs.These towns might be small, but they all host or sit near regional medical centers capable of handling older adult needs. Most people assume retiring to an “art town” means paying Santa Fe prices or fighting for parking spots in Asheville. But the creative impulse isn’t exclusive to pricier zip codes. A quiet migration is possible toward smaller, quirkier American towns where you can still…

Key Takeways Selling investments without considering tax timing can push you into higher brackets. Coordinating financial decisions with your CPA or advisor before acting—rather than after—prevents costly surprises.​ Required minimum distribution (RMD) mistakes now carry a 25% penalty, down from 50%, but still sting when miscalculated.​ The IRS assessed about $4.8 billion in estimated-tax penalties on more than 15 million individual returns in fiscal year 2024—almost triple what it collected two years earlier. Many of those bills came from underpaying taxes from selling a winning stock, withdrawing retirement funds, or simply failing to talk to a tax professional before making…