Author: Money Mechanics

What Millennials Have Saved in Defined Contribution Accounts    Average  Median  25-34  $42,640  $16,255  35-44  $103,552  $39,958 Source: Vanguard’s How America Saves 2025 report How Much the Median Millennial Could Have Saved by 2055 We’re going to do two calculations based on the two age groups above (25–34 and 35–44) for the median millennial. We’ll choose an age roughly in the middle of each of these groups: 30 (roughly the middle of the 25–34 age group) and 40 (roughly the middle of the 35–44 age group). This is how much the median 30-year-old millennial today could have saved by age…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you want to manage your money better this year, one thing is essential: Organization. It’s not exciting, but it works. Fortunately, getting your financial house in order doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.A quarter-by-quarter approach breaks financial planning into manageable, easy-to-do steps that coincide with the seasons of the year.By focusing on a few priorities each quarter, you can steadily organize and simplify your financial life — freeing up mental space to zero in on what matters most in terms of your short-term financial needs and long-term financial and lifestyle goals. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

Key Takeaways Bill Gates on Wednesday warned the AI industry will be “hypercompetitive,” and that “a reasonable percentage” of today’s pricey tech stocks will lose a lot of their value.Big Tech’s huge data center investments fueled concerns about an AI bubble and weighed on tech stocks in November. Bill Gates has again warned AI investors that not everyone will be a winner, and the workforce disruption is coming faster than governments realize. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, the Microsoft (MSFT) cofounder warned that AI’s impact on employment will be widespread within four to five years.…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you could achieve all your financial goals with less risk, would you? I ask every new client this question, and the answer is almost always “Yes.”Yet many investors unknowingly take on more risk than necessary because their financial strategy is inefficient. The good news is that by making your retirement plan more efficient, you can potentially earn similar or even better returns while taking on less risk.Are you being financially efficient?When I review a client’s situation, I often find they aren’t doing it wrong; they’re just doing it inefficiently. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Many retirees tell me the same thing: “Joe, I don’t want to check the market every day, and I don’t want to make a stupid mistake.”Our clients — hardworking, frugal, diligent savers — do not want to jeopardize their past 30 to 40 years of hard work and sacrifice. Yet, many retirees I talk with are unknowingly taking more risk than they ever intended, which is why the old-school, cookie-cutter 60/40 portfolio is encouraged to maintain a balance between protection and growth.The problem is that the 60/40 portfolio may not be as personalized and could even be…

Four of the ‘Magnificent 7’ tech stocks prepare to report quarterly results next week. AI-driven momentum is powering most of the group, except for Tesla and Apple, where cracks are showing. With these mega-cap tech titans holding significant weight in major indices, their results will set the tone for broader market trends. Looking for actionable trade ideas? Subscribe now to unlock access to InvestingPro’s AI-selected stock winners and save 55%! With over $10 trillion in combined market cap and a volatile start to the year, Microsoft (NASDAQ:), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:), Tesla (NASDAQ:), and Apple (NASDAQ:) are about to deliver results…

Aetna, the health, medical and benefits insurance unit of CVS Health, has now secured the targeted $250 million of health care related reinsurance from its new Vitality Re XVII Ltd (Series 2026) catastrophe bond, pricing all three tranches at the top of initial guidance or above.Aetna, the health, medical and benefits insurance unit of CVS Health, returned to the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market earlier this month, seeking $250 million of health care related reinsurance from its regular January Vitality Re issuance. The company has been a particularly consistent sponsor, bringing Vitality Re health insurance ILS deals in catastrophe bond form…

If you’re overwhelmed by unsecured debt (like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and collections) and looking for a legitimate way to reduce what you owe, Accredited Debt Relief is a name you’ll likely come across. This review is updated for 2026 and focuses on the details that matter most: what the program actually is, what it can and can’t help with, what to ask before you enroll, and what current third-party ratings look like. Our #1 Debt Relief Pick for 2026: New Era Debt Solutions If you want a direct debt settlement provider (not a loan company) with a…

People shop at a Costco store in the Staten Island borough of New York City, U.S., Jan. 16, 2026. Brendan McDermid | ReutersInflation drifted slightly further from the Federal Reserve’s target in November though in line with expectations, according to the central bank’s preferred gauge released Thursday.The personal consumption expenditures price index, a Commerce Department measure the central bank uses as its main forecasting tool, showed inflation at 2.8% for the month both for headline and core, in line with the Dow Jones consensus. In addition, the department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the rate for October was 2.7%…

Big Tech companies and upcoming startups want to use generative AI to build software and hardware for kids. A lot of those experiences are limited to text or voice, and kids might not find that captivating. Three former Google employees want to get over that hurdle with their generative AI-powered interactive app, Sparkli. Sparkli was founded last year by Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang. As parents, Poojary and Kang were not able to satisfy their children’s curiosity or give engaging answers to their questions. “Kids, by definition, are very curious, and my son would ask me questions about…