Author: Money Mechanics

KEY TAKEAWAYS About three in 10 Americans hold a high school diploma as their highest level of education, and there are hundreds of occupations available to them.Home health and personal care aides top the list of jobs with the most openings for high school graduates.Among the jobs with the most expected openings, first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers will typically earn the most. Home health and personal care aides will have the most openings for workers with a high school diploma or GED over the next decade, with about 765,800 openings expected each year through 2034, according to…

Key Takeaways With the Fed likely to cut rates a quarter-point this week, savings APYs should slip by a similar amount—meaning they’ll dip, not collapse. To stay ahead of inflation, aim for a savings rate that clears today’s 3% inflation mark so your money keeps gaining value. Top high-yield savings accounts and CDs still pay 4%–5%, making it easy for savers to keep their money growing faster than inflation. What the Fed’s Move Could Do to Your Savings Rate Financial markets overwhelmingly expect the Federal Reserve to announce another quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday. That matters to anyone with cash…

Key Takeaways Individual investors remain optimistic despite fears of bubbles and inflation.Many bought the dip in the biggest stocks in November.AI-related stocks and cryptocurrency top the list of frothy assets.Inflation is investors’ top concern. Almost nothing seems to rattle individual investors lately. They’ve overcome fears about tariffs, inflation, and a potential stock market bubble, continuing to buy their favorite stocks and ETFs all year long. Despite concerns about economic policy, overvaluations in AI stocks, and rising prices, investors are mostly optimistic about the stock market right now, according to Investopedia’s recent survey. More than 60% describe themselves as either optimistic…

Key Takeaways The biggest banks continue to pay virtually nothing on savings, but even with a likely Fed cut this week, you can earn above 4% by moving savings to a smaller bank or credit union. Even modest balances can earn hundreds more each year in a top savings account, a difference that multiplies as your money grows. You don’t need to leave your primary bank to earn more: Linking a separate high-yield savings account is simple, safe, and may even improve your long-term savings habits. The Huge Gap Between Big-Bank Rates and What You Can Earn at Just-as-Safe Smaller…

Key Takeaways Tech giants Oracle and Broadcom are slated to report quarterly earnings this week, following up on results that wowed investors in September.Oracle stock has given up all of its gains after last quarter’s earnings, weighed on by AI bubble and customer concentration concerns. Broadcom stock has charged higher. Two tech giants shocked Wall Street with their earnings reports in September. Now they’re under pressure to do it again. Software giant Oracle (ORCL) will report quarterly results after the market closes on Wednesday, followed by semiconductor firm Broadcom (AVGO) on Thursday afternoon. Their shares are up 33% and 75%, respectively,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Today’s clients no longer want piecemeal financial help. They want a family office experience, even if they’re not ultra-wealthy.That means receiving investment guidance, tax filing and planning and estate planning all in one place. The old model of an adviser building a 60/40 portfolio or a CPA filing a return once a year no longer meets expectations.Clients increasingly expect integrated investment, tax and estate planning support as part of holistic wealth management. 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…

Key Takeaways The majority of Americans say their savings are earning less than 3% interest, according to a survey by Vanguard.More than half of respondents reported saving in traditional bank savings accounts or checking accounts, earning them minimal interest. Many high-yield savings accounts are available, with several having rates over 4%. Americans are trying to save, but research suggests that many are leaving money on the table. Nearly 90% of Americans currently save or plan to save for short-term goals, according to a Vanguard survey from earlier this year. But more than half are using traditional bank savings accounts or…

Everybody knows they should save for retirement, but not everybody does. Among those who do, they tend to approach it differently.Some are consistent savers, while others don’t give it too much thought. Then there are the extremes and the in betweens.Wondering where you fall on the saver continuum and how it matches up with three out-of-the-box spirit animals — the sloth, chipmunk and bat? Take our quiz and find out. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks were choppy Tuesday, with market participants in wait-and-see mode ahead of tomorrow’s policy announcement from the Federal Reserve. With the central bank widely expected to cut interest rates again, rate-sensitive small caps outperformed and the Russell 2000 hit a new intraday high.The small-cap benchmark fell short of a new record close, though, gaining 0.3% to 2,529. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (+0.1% at 23,576) also finished in positive territory, while the broader S&P 500 (-0.09% at 6,840) and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average (-0.4% at 47,560) ended in the red.The Fed will wrap up its final…

Jacob Fund is a mutual fund company, released its third-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The latest quarter showed continued market recovery, with major equity indexes reaching new all-time highs. After uncertainties regarding trade policy, finalized tariffs had a limited economic impact, stabilizing the market and refocusing investors on fundamentals. The fund anticipates a new productivity cycle that will enhance profit margins and earnings growth by keeping labor markets subdued. In addition, the fund will remain focused on companies poised for earnings growth and improved valuation multiples in expectation that asset prices could…