Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, with its many moving parts and decisions. You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone.That’s why I developed the R.I.S.E. Retirement Roadmap, a four-step process that helps families navigate the retirement journey with clarity and confidence.R.I.S.E. stands for: From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Roth conversions sound compelling: Tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals and no required minimum distributions (RMDs). What’s not to love?Well, as with most things that appear to be financial no-brainers, the answer is: Plenty, if you’re not careful.A Roth conversion can be one of the most powerful tax-planning moves you ever make. It can also become an unnecessarily expensive detour that leaves you wondering why you volunteered to write such a large check to the IRS. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to…

Key Takeaways Housing is often the biggest retirement expense, so a mortgage under $700 a month can make your income go further.Affordable options span the U.S., from Georgia and Virginia to South Dakota and Arizona.Some states—such as Pennsylvania and Iowa—don’t tax Social Security or other retirement income, which can also help stretch your money.Lower housing costs free up income for health care, travel, and leisure in retirement. Why an Affordable Mortgage Matters in Retirement The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey shows retired households spend about $5,000 a month, with housing as the biggest cost. Keeping mortgage…

Question: I’m 59 with $1.7 million in savings and just found out my team is being phased out in January. I’m getting a six-month buyout package. Should I just retire at 59½, or try to find another job?Answer: The U.S. economy is generally in a good place, and the unemployment rate is fairly low. Yet many people are worried about layoffs going into the new year.Part of it stems from what Glassdoor calls the “forever layoff” trend. Small layoffs of under 50 people are now the most common type. And because they only impact small pockets of employees, they’re happening…

Key Takeaways The average retirement account balance for Americans in their 70s is $250,000, but the median falls below $100,000. Once required minimum distributions (RMDs) start at 73, have a plan for your taxes. You’ve spent decades building your retirement savings. Now comes the part where you make it last. In your 70s, the questions change. It’s no longer about how much you can save—it’s about how much you can safely spend without running out of money. The average American in their 70s has $250,000 saved, but half have less than $107,000. Whether you’re above or below that line, the…

Key Takeaways Australia’s most affordable retirement cities—from Launceston to Adelaide—offer a lower cost of living than the U.S.While median home values are above those in the U.S., they are about 30% to 50% lower than in the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne.These destinations already have established retiree communities, with 15% to 23% of residents aged 65 and older—meaning infrastructure, health care, and social networks are already in place. Australia offers Americans walkable cities, less crime, stunning coastlines, and a genuine slow-down-and-enjoy-life culture—all in a country where English is the native language, and the coffee is world-class. While the median…

Upgrading a smartphone used to be about chasing the newest design or better camera. Today, it’s just as much about navigating pricing, carrier credits and long-term commitments.Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup is a good example. On paper, the phones are premium and pricey. In practice, carrier deals make them look far more affordable, at least on a month-to-month basis.If you’re considering a Galaxy S25, there are several models to choose from, each aimed at a slightly different type of user. The key is understanding what you’re getting, what you’re giving up and how much the phone actually costs once the bill…

Key Takeaways If you want to invest like Warren Buffett, the first thing to focus on is strong businesses at fair prices. Hold core stocks for years and let compounding work, while ignoring short-term ups and downs in the market. Focus on companies with durable “moats”—advantages like strong brands, loyal customers, or unique technology. Warren Buffett’s approach to investing sounds deceptively simple: buy great businesses, pay a fair price, then hold them for a long time while compounding does the work. Even though he’s been running the same playbook for decades, his principles still apply today. The hard part is…

Key Takeaways The average 30-something contributes about 11% to 13% of their income to retirement accounts in 2025, compared with the financial experts’ suggested target of 15%. Median 401(k) balances for people in their 30s are about $25,000–$40,000, while the average, which skews higher, is over $100,000. If you’re in your 30s, chances are you’ve asked yourself: “Am I saving enough for retirement?” Between mortgages, child care, and student loans, it can be hard to find enough to take care of your future self. Yet, this decade is pivotal: the earlier you save, the more compounding returns work in your…

The share price of NextNRG Inc. (NASDAQ:NXXT) fell by 17.16% between December 10 and December 17, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. NextNRG (NXXT) Falls Following a Strong Rally. Here is Why NextNRG Inc. (NASDAQ:NXXT) engages in mobile fueling operations in the United States. The company also offers services in wireless EV charging, commercial fleet electrification, predictive grid analytics, and advanced microgrid systems. NextNRG Inc. (NASDAQ:NXXT) jumped by over 48% earlier this month when the company reported preliminary unaudited revenue of $7.51 million for November 2025, up by a significant 271% from the…