Author: Money Mechanics

Purchasing power has increased $30,000 in the last six months, with rates falling below 6% the day after President Trump ordered a $200 billion mortgage bond purchase.  The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 5.99% on January 9, the lowest level in nearly three years, in the wake of President Trump’s order for the government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds. That means a homebuyer on a $3,000 monthly budget has gained roughly $14,000 in purchasing power since one month ago, when the average rate was 6.35%.  A buyer on that budget can afford a $479,750 home with today’s…

Key Takeaways Generosity can become costly when social spending, such as buying a round of drinks, over-gifting, or saying yes to every event, undermines your savings goals.Tracking where your money is going can reveal patterns and help you make spending choices that align with your priorities. Generosity is good—but what if it starts to sabotage your savings? You might be spending out of habit or social pressure without realizing how much it’s costing you.  “One of the first things I tell people who consider working with me is that I’m not the fun police,” says Erik Scudder, a certified financial…

Key Takeaways Located less than two hours from Denver, Pueblo, Colorado, offers an affordable alternative to more expensive locations in the state.Health care access in Pueblo includes local hospitals affiliated with two major statewide medical center networks. You can enjoy Pueblo’s scenic river walk on foot or by boat, as well as nearby mountains and iconic Colorado views.Local organizations host senior-specific classes in art, yoga, and other popular pastimes.  Pueblo, Colorado, located in the southern part of the state is one of the 50 best places to retire, according to research by Investopedia and Travel + Leisure. It’s the only Colorado…

Key Takeaways When you’re self-employed, you pay 15.3% in Social Security and Medicare taxes—double what employees pay, because there’s no employer to cover half.Tax payments are due quarterly. Missing them triggers IRS penalties that can add up fast. Starting a business sounds exciting until you think ahead to the taxes you might pay. Then the anxiety kicks in. That fear showed up in a recent Reddit post from a 22-year-old getting ready to launch a side business this year: “I understand you get taxed like there is no tomorrow if you start a small business. I was also looking into…

Key Takeaways Southern charm can be quite affordable, as these four cities offer average home values ranging from about $115,000 in Natchez to $320,000 in Greenville.Whether you want mountain charm (Hickory), riverfront living (Natchez), or a lively small city (Little Rock), these cities offer you more breathing room for your budget, as well as abundant nature and cultural offerings. If you’re a soon-to-be retiree thinking about heading south, you probably aren’t just chasing milder winters. You also might be looking for places where life feels a little easier, and your budget stretches a lot further. These cities deliver exactly that:…

(Image credit: Getty Images)It’s not easy being an income investor these days.Short-term rates, already in decline, are widely expected to drop further — especially once President Donald Trump appoints a new chair of the Federal Reserve.Investment-grade corporate bond spreads are historically low. That means you get very little extra for moving your money out of (presumably risk-free) U.S. Treasuries and into bonds issued by companies. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The new year is here, but Americans have mixed feelings when it comes to the state of their finances in 2026. One of the biggest concerns is the cost of goods and services.According to NerdWallet’s 2026 Consumer Outlook Report, 51% of respondents said they think the cost of goods and services will only get worse.However, 35% say they’re feeling optimistic and confident about their finances, while 57% say they’re planning to make at least one potentially risky money move, such as investing in cryptocurrency or even starting their own business. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

(Image credit: Getty Images)While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has been widely covered, the headline changes do not create many meaningful planning opportunities.The primary goal of the OBBBA was to make permanent certain provisions that were scheduled to expire in 2026.However, a more analytical read reveals a limited number of changes to explore as the year kicks off that do present some opportunities. 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…

Welcome to Kiplinger’s My First $1 Million series, in which we hear from people who have made $1 million. They’re sharing how they did it and what they’re doing with it.This time, we hear from a married 47-year-old government worker who’s based overseas but is originally from Florida. He and his wife both work for the U.S. government.See our earlier profiles, including a writer in New England, a literacy interventionist in Colorado, a semiretired entrepreneur in Nashville and an events industry CEO in Northern New Jersey. (See all of the profiles here.) From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance…

For homebuyers struggling with today’s higher mortgage rates, new construction communities are suddenly full of tempting offers: 4% mortgage rates when the market is closer to 6% or 7%, tens of thousands of dollars in closing cost credits, or “free” upgrades thrown in at signing.These incentives aren’t necessarily a trick, and they’re not all bait and switch. But they’re also not free money. Builders are using financial carrots strategically, and buyers who don’t understand how those deals are structured can end up paying more over time.Here’s how builder mortgage incentives work, where the catches tend to be and how to…