Author: Money Mechanics

(Investing) – LONDON – Oil prices rose over 1% on Friday as supply risks remained in focus despite the receding likelihood of a U.S. military strike against Iran.  crude was up 84 cents, or 1.3%, to $64.60 a barrel at 1413 GMT, on course for a fourth consecutive weekly gain. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was up 80 cents, or 1.4%, to $59.99. At those levels, Brent was on course for a 2% weekly gain and WTI for a 1.4% gain. Brent was up a little more than $1 at its intraday peak as investors continue to weigh the potential for supply…

U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Friday as tech stocks continued to rally on renewed optimism about the AI data center buildout. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.5% shortly after markets opened on Friday, while the benchmark S&P 500 advanced 0.3% and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked up 0.2%. The major indexes broke two-day losing streaks yesterday after strong results from chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) and the announcement of a trade deal between the U.S. and Taiwan. AI stocks continued to climb on Friday, with memory and data storage device makers leading the charge.…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The traditional snowbird retirement of splitting time between two homes is giving way to strategic, permanent relocation, as wealthy Americans discover they can lead a better life in a cheaper home state.Wealth creators who plan a decade or more before retirement can lock in tax advantages, avoid audit complications and build a lifestyle that previous generations could enjoy only seasonally.The financial logic behind permanent relocationThe tax advantages of relocation are well known. States with little to no income tax, such as Texas and Florida, have become wealth magnets, while states including California and New York are losing…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For years, the 60/40 portfolio has been the go-to allocation for many retirees.Sixty percent stocks and forty percent bonds is said to be the safe and reliable mix, but for retirees who have a pension and strong savings, this traditional retirement rule may not fit their situation.If this sounds like your situation, you are part of a very small group of Americans that we like to call the 2% Club. Less than 20% of Americans have a pension, and about 10% have saved a million dollars or more. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become…

Each week, in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on topics submitted by readers. This week she’s looking at four questions on preparing and filing your 2025 Form 1040. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Tax Letter or subscribe.)1. Any tips for getting my refund faster?Question: I am generally due a refund when I file my tax return. Do you have any tips on how I can get my tax refund faster? Joy Taylor: The fastest way to get your tax refund is to file your tax return early, file it…

(Image credit: Getty Images)How did the stock market perform during the first year of the second Trump administration? In short, the main U.S. equity indexes closed 2025 at or near all-time highs after posting double-digit annual gains like they did in 2024 and 2023. And the direction of the major trend remains up.Indeed, equity indexes all over the world rallied in the face of what many market participants describe as historic uncertainty throughout the 12 months. Most encouraging is the fact that upside was driven by earnings growth as opposed to valuation expansion.As Carson Group notes, “The S&P 500’s 17.9%…

Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series featuring the best retirement quotes and wisdom from top financial experts, leaders, and public figures. Other articles feature Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, Jimmy Buffett and Dr. Seuss.For half a century, Bruce Springsteen has taught us how to navigate the everyday struggles and ups and downs of life through his soul-searing lyrics and music.Through the years, the ‘working man’ of rock and roll has also shown us how to age with grace and pizazz. Springsteen’s latest global tour — which ran through mid-2025 — proved that he has no…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you’d like to have a stronger relationship with your primary care doctor — and quick access to them when you want to chat or schedule an appointment — direct primary care may be worth a look. With a DPC arrangement, you pay a membership fee, and in exchange you get unlimited access to certain primary care services, such as disease screenings, chronic-condition management and laboratory tests. DPC practices don’t accept health insurance, and you pay the membership fee out of pocket.Compared with a traditional primary care office, which may manage thousands of patients, a DPC practice…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Life & Arts myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.No, they need better front-stories. This obsession with backstory is now a staple of modern politics. You all know the shtick by now. Politicians competing with each other in a prolier-than-thou contest to prove they are just like us. I’ve had several versions of this question. Do our leaders need to be more normal? Do they need to have overcome adversity? Must they have had a “real” job? Must they have lived our values? But all boil down to more leaders…

(Image credit: Getty Images)These days, most credit card issuers don’t allow people to own a card account jointly, even with a spouse. So if you want to share your account with a family member, adding them as an authorized user is usually the way to do it.An authorized user receives their own card that’s linked to your account, and they can use it to make purchases and access the card’s perks. But as the primary cardholder, you are on the hook for paying the bills.Before you add someone to your card, it’s worth weighing the benefits, potential risks and a…