Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Diversify your $10,000 across multiple asset classes to balance safety and growth. Index funds offer long-term growth potential with low fees. High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) and certificates of deposit (CDs) are considered short-term, low-risk choices. U.S. Treasuries and bonds provide reliable returns amid current high interest rates. If you suddenly find yourself with $10,000 from a bonus, tax refund, or inheritance, you might be wondering what to do with it. Should you play it safe or invest for growth? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, you have many options for ways to put that money to…

(BOE Report) – The U.S. Senate is due to consider a resolution on Thursday that would block President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, and backers said the measure could pass in a close vote. Days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas, senators will vote on the latest in a series of war powers measures introduced since the administration ramped up military pressure on the country with attacks on boats off its coast in September. Republicans have blocked all of the measures, but the last…

Key Takeaways Roles related to building AI systems are thriving, with salaries averaging over $150,000.Top graduate programs at Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and Stanford can position you to build the technology rather than compete against it.When evaluating programs, focus on research opportunities and job placement, not just rankings. The jobs most exposed to AI aren’t disappearing. They’re outperforming the rest of the labor market in both growth and wages, according to a December 2025 Vanguard analysis. But exposure to AI isn’t the same as vulnerability to it. Employment for workers ages 22 to 25 in roles that are vulnerable to AI, including…

Key Takeaways Colgate-Palmolive is poised to recover in 2026 after its sales growth slowed and stock fell in 2025, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote.The analysts named the company their top pick in the Household & Personal Care segment, and said they expect sales to grow faster than competitors this year. Morgan Stanley analysts named a consumer products giant known for its toothpaste one of their top picks for the year. Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is now the analysts’ top pick in the Household & Personal Care sector, as they expect the company’s sales growth to recover in 2026 after a “below-plan 2025.” The…

Key Takeaways The U.S. trade deficit fell by nearly 40% in October, hitting its lowest level since 2009.But a big increase in non-monetary gold exports, along with a steep decline in pharmaceutical chemical imports, are responsible for much of the shift. The declines follow the introduction of a sweeping new set of tariffs in August, though economists said tariffs may not have had much of an impact on the trade balance as expected. The U.S. trade deficit dropped sharply in October, but the narrowing appears to be tied to a large spike in the export of gold and silver. The trade…

Key Takeaways Experts often recommend waiting at least 30 days after an inheritance before making major financial decisions.Advisors generally suggest paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, and then investing for long-term goals.With a clear plan, inherited money can be saved in ways that outearn inflation and move you closer to goals like a home or retirement. An inheritance of $50,000 can be a powerful stepping stone toward long-term financial security. With thoughtful planning and expert guidance, this money can be worth much more in the future and help you close in on one or more financial goals. If…

If you’re planning to visit a U.S. national park this year, be prepared to wait in longer lines and bring documentation proving you’re a U.S. citizen. And if you’re a non-U.S. citizen visiting, bring your patience and $100.The Trump administration announced that, starting January 1, international visitors and other non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older must pay a $100 surcharge in addition to regular entrance fees at 11 of the country’s most popular national parks.As a result, the policy has created a logjam for national park staff, who must use their limited resources to verify each visitor’s residency status and…

Key Takeaways Costco’s stock was rising Thursday, lifted as investors cheered the warehouse chain’s December sales and comps. That had the shares around levels last seen in about a month. Wall Street is bullish, though its average price target remains below record highs seen early last year. Shares of Costco Wholesale have been getting cheaper for nearly a year, dropping from early 2025 highs. They got a little less cheap today. The warehouse retailer’s shares were up some 5% Thursday afternoon to levels last seen in about a month. The driver: a measure of optimism about the direction of Costco’s…

Key Takeaways Though Rehoboth Beach, Delaware has only about 1,390 residents, its plentiful amenities make it feel much larger.About 44% of Rehoboth Beach’s residents are age 65 or older.Home prices can be expensive, but tax rates are quite competitive relative to the rest of the country. When you’re strolling down the lively boardwalk or enjoying one of local beaches, it’s easy to think that Rehoboth Beach, Delaware has a bigger population than its roughly 1,390 residents. Despite its small-town feel, this coastal town has outsized offerings for both vacationers and retirees. The median age of Rehoboth Beach is about 63…

When the US Census conducts the monthly Current Population Survey on behalf of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it asks households more than 200 questions about their employment status. One of those questions is “Do you currently want a job, either full or part time?” As the BLS explains it: “People who want a job now are a subset of those not in the labor force.” The labor force is made up of (1) persons who are employed and (2) persons who are not employed but who had actively looked for employment in the four weeks prior to being…