Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Americans ages 55–64 have a median net worth of $364,270, placing them near the top of the wealth curve heading into retirement.At this stage, wealth is often tied up in home equity and retirement savings, even as many households continue to carry debt.Nearly 78% of Americans ages 55–64 own a home, but only about 57% have a retirement account, leaving many reliant on housing-related wealth. Where Americans Ages 55–64 Stand on Wealth Today Americans ages 55–64 are nearing what many consider their peak earning and saving years, making this a natural moment to take stock of how their…

Where Else People Age 55-64 Are Saving Money Asset % Households with Asset Median Value for Asset Holders Savings Bonds 8.5% $3,000 CDs 6.6% $25,000 Stocks (directly held) 19.2% $30,000 Retirement Accts 57% $185,000 Bonds (directly held) 1.2% $400,000 Source: The Federal Reserve’s “Survey of Consumer Finances” (2022) “Directly held” means the asset is not in a retirement account. The value of bonds in this table looks much higher than the other categories, especially given that only a tiny fraction of 55-64-year-olds owns directly held corporate or municipal bonds. This small group either holds numerous bonds, bonds with high values,…

Key Takeaways While projections for home price growth in 2026 vary, they are often lower than the estimated inflation rate. That would extend the current trend of declining housing wealth in some parts of the U.S., where housing prices don’t rise faster than the rate of inflation. Home sales have stalled under the weight of high housing costs, which have remained elevated after several years of increased mortgage rates.  Will the value of your home increase in 2026? The answer is maybe, but it’s likely to depend on where you live and how much impact inflation has on the economy. …

You’ve worked hard, saved diligently and invested wisely throughout your career, building a tidy nest egg — the perfect recipe for a happy retirement.Or is it? Science says not so fast.A growing body of research from academics, social scientists, and financial services providers is shedding light on what it takes to be truly happy in retirement — and what behaviors and circumstances detract from that happiness. As it turns out, while money is certainly an important factor, the studies paint a more nuanced picture of the role your finances play in a satisfying retirement and what other ingredients matter as…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Invesco created its BulletShares suite of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to help investors build bond ladders — a strategy that involves buying bonds with staggered maturity dates. But these funds can be useful in other ways.In 2022, when we added Invesco BulletShares 2026 Corporate Bond (BSCQ) to the Kiplinger ETF 20, the list of our favorite ETFs, the fund met our objective of finding a short-term, high-quality corporate bond fund with below-average duration (a measure of interest-rate sensitivity).Since then, the fund has exceeded expectations. From mid-2022 through October, BulletShares 2026 Corporate Bond returned 4.3% annualized, beating the 3.1%…

According to equity analysts from Mizuho Americas, property catastrophe reinsurance rates are expected to remain adequate but less profitable in 2026 across peak zones and perils, while reinsurers are projected to deliver strong returns in 2025, aided by retained earnings growth and increasing ILS participation.The analyst team is led by Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst, Yaron Kinar, who joined the organisation earlier this year from investment bank Jefferies. Providing an outlook for 2026, analysts stated that a combination of strong reinsurer returns, growing retained earnings, and increased insurance-linked securities (ILS) appetite is expected to drive a further increase…

Nvidia has struck a non-exclusive licensing agreement with AI chip competitor Groq. As part of the deal, Nvidia will hire Groq founder Jonathan Ross, president Sunny Madra, and other employees. CNBC reported that Nvidia is acquiring assets from Groq for $20 billion; Nvidia told TechCrunch that this is not an acquisition of the company and did not comment on the scope of the deal. But if CNBC’s numbers are accurate, this purchase is expected to be Nvidia’s largest ever, and with Groq on its side, Nvidia is poised to become even more dominant in chip manufacturing. As tech companies compete…

Key Takeaways Cities like Memphis, Detroit, Lexington, Atlanta, and Kansas City show you don’t have to live in pricey cities like New York and Chicago to enjoy great live music.From blues and bluegrass to hip-hop and jazz, these cities prove that great sound doesn’t have to break your budget, offering vibrant music scenes and affordable homes. If your idea of a perfect night out involves live music, local flavor, and a price tag that doesn’t sting, there are plenty of U.S. cities that hit the right notes. While legends like Nashville, which is in fact becoming pricier to live in,…

Key Takeaways Buffett and Munger used financial data but prioritized understanding the actual business—its competitive advantages, management quality, and long-term prospects. They invested as if buying entire companies forever, not just trading stocks for short-term price moves or quarterly earnings. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger built Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) into a massive empire by prioritizing a qualitative understanding of a business over complex financial modeling. While they certainly used financial ratios and other analytical tools, they didn’t let spreadsheets drive their investment decisions. Instead, these legendary investors focused on something many overlook: Deeply understanding how businesses actually work. This…

Key Takeaways The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” created a new Workforce Pell Grant program that expands federal aid eligibility to students pursuing short licensing and certificate programs.Other eligibility requirements were modified, primarily affecting how families must report their income on the FAFSA. The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will introduce significant changes to the Pell Grant program, effective during the 2026-27 award year. The congressional budget bill, which was passed this summer, expanded the Pell Grant program to include short certificate and licensing programs at trade schools. Some eligibility requirements were also modified for the Pell Grant program, the largest federal…