Author: Money Mechanics

The company said it focuses on access and flexibility, with no minimum credit score or long-term lease required, allowing residents to move in quickly, sometimes within 48 hours. “Unfortunately, the housing crisis is just getting worse,” said Atticus LeBlanc, founder and CEO of PadSplit. “There aren’t nearly enough affordable options on the market today, in any city. We’re also seeing more pricing pressures across groups, including those with lower incomes and seniors on fixed incomes. “Couple that with the fact that there are more hoops to jump through when applying for a traditional apartment or even a studio, and you…

Key Takeaways Weed stocks dropped Monday afternoon, reversing early gains on hopes President Trump could soon issue an executive order reclassifying marijuana. An expected reclassification from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug would help companies in the sector reduce their taxes and relax banking restrictions. Weed stocks aren’t flying so high anymore. Shares of Tilray Brands (TLRY) dropped nearly 5%, Canopy Growth (CGC) slipped 3%, and other cannabis stocks also lost ground in recent trading, reversing early gains amid hopes President Trump could issue an executive order reclassifying marijuana. The order, seen changing marijuana from a Schedule I to…

Key Takeaways Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly hearing pitches from investment banks this week as the space exploration company considers going public in what could be the largest IPO to date.Next year could be a big one for IPOs: AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic are among the other private companies reportedly exploring going public next year. Wall Street may be headed for a year of blockbuster IPOs in 2026. And a company led by Elon Musk could be leading the way. Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly hearing pitches this week from investment banks interested in advising on what could be the…

(BOE Report)– The cost of shipping oil is likely to remain high in the first half of 2026 as the global fleet ages and a rising number of vessels are hit with Western sanctions, shipping sources say, though rates could be capped in the second half. In recent weeks, the cost of shipping oil has risen to about $130,000 a day for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) thanks to high demand from OPEC and its allies. On top of that, the supply of available ships has been reduced because some vessels have been sanctioned for carrying oil from Iran, Russia…

 To begin, let’s reflect upon this past year. What were some of the most impactful regulatory developments you observed, and how have they shaped the current market landscape?It’s been an incredibly dynamic year for regulatory developments globally; however, I feel that some of the most impactful are happening in the U.S. right now. In 2025, we have seen the passing of both the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. The GENIUS Act brought stablecoins and key digital assets under a unified federal regime. Complementing this, the CLARITY Act clarified the treatment of digital asset as securities or commodities.Both acts reduced…

Key Takeaways The average retired worker received $1,975 in monthly Social Security benefits in 2024.Retirees in Connecticut have the highest monthly Social Security checks, averaging $2,196, while those in Mississippi have the lowest at $1,814. About 69 million Americans collect Social Security, totaling $1.6 trillion in benefits. The bulk of these go to retirees, with the amount largely based on the recipient’s work history and their age when they first claimed benefits. Your location doesn’t directly affect your benefit amount, but average payments vary by state, largely because of income differences. The bigger question: Are these benefits enough to support retirement…

Key Takeaways Worries about an AI bubble have led to a pullback in the tech sector, though Jefferies analysts said they still see gains for some standouts with strong fundamentals.Their top internet stock picks heading into 2026 are AppLovin, Reddit, Roku, Spotify, Uber, and Zillow. Jefferies has some ideas about where tech investors should look after a tough stretch for the sector. Tech stocks took a hit last week, with cloud computing giant Oracle (ORCL) and chipmaker Broadcom (AVGO) at the forefront after quarterly earnings that failed to impress investors amid growing skepticism around the AI trade. But Jefferies analysts told…

Key Takeaways The U.S. economy probably lost jobs in October and then added just 50,000 in November, pushing the unemployment rate to 4.5%, according to forecasts.Tuesday’s long-delayed report, held up by the government shutdown, will combine data from both October and November.The data is likely to show a jobs slowdown driven by tariffs, federal worker layoffs, the immigration crackdown, and other economic headwinds. A long-delayed hiring report will probably confirm the job market kept cooling this autumn.On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to release data showing that U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in November and that the…

Key Takeaways The best U.S. city for Gen Z, based on its affordability, employment, and social scene, is Madison, Wisconsin.Other top cities include Minneapolis, Minnesota; Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and Nashville, Tennessee.The majority of the top cities for Gen Z workers are located in the midwest, rather than on the east or west coast. The shaky job market is hitting Gen Z harder than other generations. As of September 2025, younger workers were experiencing much higher rates of unemployment (4.6%-13.6%, depending on age) than those age 35 or older (3.2% or lower). However, when it comes to job prospects,…

Key Takeaways As the price of college climbs and the higher education landscape shifts, the number of students from the U.S. who are applying to certain international universities is increasing.Tuition at international universities is often significantly cheaper than at U.S. institutions.Students may be drawn to unique educational opportunities, cultural exchange and other benefits.However, students considering this path should be aware of the hidden costs, such as the challenges of navigating a new educational system in a foreign country. The Trend: Students Going Global for College As the higher education landscape in the U.S. shifts, a growing number of prospective college…