Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)For decades, long-term savers and retirees have relied on common rules of thumb to help motivate and guide them on the road to and through retirement. The precepts say you should aim to save 15% of your annual income, for instance, or subtract your age from 100 to determine how much of those savings to invest in stocks. Perhaps the best-known principle, the 4% rule, suggests that once you retire, you limit your initial portfolio withdrawal to 4%, then adjust the amount annually for inflation, to ensure your savings will last your lifetime.But can 20th-century guidelines —…

Key Takeaways Wyoming has no state income tax, and Cheyenne has no local income tax. Property tax rates are low compared to nearby cities.Housing costs in Cheyenne are lower than the national averages.Local and state parks appeal to retirees who like an active, outdoor lifestyle.High walkability and public transportation options can reduce the need for retirees to drive. Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming, is among Investopedia’s best places to retire for 2026. It offers an attractive blend of Western heritage with everyday, modern practicality. With a population of just over 65,000, it is an appealing destination for retirees who…

Key Takeaways On average, American workers say that they would need an additional $70,000 of household income each year to feel financially stable, according to a report by insurance company Aflac.Households earning under $50,000 per year would like an additional $48,834, on average, in annual income, while those earning over $100,000 would like an additional $86,518.Many workers report high levels of anxiety about health care costs, and almost half (44%) couldn’t cover a $1,000 health care expense out of pocket. Many Americans don’t feel financially secure. In some ways, this isn’t surprising: a rising cost of living and anxiety about…

Key Takeaways You need at least $210,000 in annual income or at least $1.8 million of net worth to be in the top 10% of U.S. households.A 35-year-old needs around $372,000 of net worth to rank in the top 10% of their peers, while someone in their 50s needs over $1.9 million.Nearly one in three households earning $200,000 or more describe themselves as financially “stretched” or “struggling.” “Affluent,” according to Visa, is the top 10%—and according to the company’s November 2025 Business and Economic Insights Report, the top 10% in the U.S. starts at $210,000 in annual income or $1.8…

As previously reported, Susquehanna initiated coverage of Heico (HEI) with a Neutral rating and $385 price target While the firm believes Heico is well-positioned for 8% compound annual growth in revenue and a 13% free cash flow compound annual growth rate from FY26-FY28 based on aftermarket tailwinds in commercial aviation and sustained investment in defense and space, it cites the stock’s “current sizable premium valuation” for its Neutral rating. The firm sees more upside opportunity from other stocks within its A&D coverage at this time, the analyst added. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking…

Gold just had its best week since the pandemic panic of March 2020. And the rally might only be getting started. The yellow metal blasted through $4,950 per ounce on Friday, hitting an intraday record of $4,966.93 and extending a surge that has seen prices climb more than 11% in January alone. For context, gold gained 64% in all of 2025—the best annual performance since 1979. The current momentum makes that rally look like a warmup act. Goldman Sachs threw fuel on the fire this week, raising its year-end gold forecast to $5,400 per ounce from $4,900. The bank’s commodities…

iOS users in the U.S. can now have a back-and-forth dialogue with Redfin on-the-go to discover homes that best suit their preferences  Conversational home search is now available on the Redfin iOS app, bringing a more intuitive way to find homes directly to your phone. This feature, first introduced on Redfin.com and mobile web last November, lets users search for homes using natural, back-and-forth dialogue, refining results with simple language instead of traditional filters. Early data show that conversational search is already helping people find homes that fit them through a deeper understanding of preferences that’s impossible with traditional filters.…

Key Takeaways Once considered far-fetched, some Federal Reserve watchers are taking seriously the possibility that Jerome Powell could remain as a central bank governor after his term as chair expires in May.President Donald Trump’s efforts to strongarm the Fed into lowering interest rates could backfire, leading Powell to remain on the board at least until Trump’s presidency ends.Technically, Powell could even stay on as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, the influential group that sets the nation’s monetary policy. President Donald Trump’s public campaign to influence the Federal Reserve could backfire, leaving a central banker that Trump has sharply…

Key Takeaways The median net worth of Americans 45–54 is $246,700, according to data from the Federal Reserve.Wealth gaps in this age group reflect salaries, inheritances, home equity, spending habits, and investment size.To grow wealth before retirement, focus on maximizing earnings, managing spending, and investing through tax-advantaged accounts. The Average Net Worth for Ages 45–54 and What It Reveals About Retirement Readiness Americans between 45 and 54 have a median net worth of $246,700, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. “Median” is a middle-of-the-road number that means that half of people in this age group have more…

Key Takeaways The average American aged 45 to 54 spent $6,748 on health insurance. This average masks huge variation: the top 10% of working families spend more than $14,800 annually, often due to chronic conditions or high-deductible plans that require thousands before coverage kicks in.When you add insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and prescriptions, typical spending jumps to $3,000-$6,000 annually. Americans ages 45-54 spent an average of $6,748 on health care in 2024—up from $6,338 the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. That covers insurance premiums, doctor visits, prescriptions, and medical supplies. But the average…