Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)You might recognize Vanguard for its wide lineup of low-cost equity index funds and the lasting legacy of its late founder and chairman, John Bogle. Less appreciated is that The Vanguard Group, which Bogle founded in May 1975, has also been a major force in bond investing for decades.That presence dates back to 1986. Fresh off the launch of its first stock fund, Vanguard introduced the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX). At the time, this was a meaningful shift.For individual investors, buying bonds typically meant going through a Wall Street bond desk…

President Trump is signaling to the world that he believes the landscape of could look dramatically different in just 18 months and when the President talk oil based on his track record the naysayers better listen. Despite pessimistic assessments by some analysts and firms regarding the return of Venezuelan oil production, the reality is that we could see some increases in oil production in the short term and even more substantial increases and investment in the long term. Even with that pronouncement, President Trump also wants to remind us that there are other ways to influence the oil market Trump…

Despite an ease on pricing, reinsurance programme structures are expected to remain largely unchanged, with reinsurers holding firm on elevated attachment points following the post-2023 reset, leaving primary P&C insurers to continue retaining a greater share of secondary-peril losses and associated earnings volatility, according to Moody’s Ratings.Throughout the past five years, annual insured losses from natural catastrophe events have exceeded $100 billion, driven in recent years by secondary perils such as severe convective storms, wildfires, and floods. However, since the reset in 2023, when reinsurers moved away from these exposures, primary insurers have assumed a larger portion of the losses…

The incentive applies to conventional, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans. It is available for purchase loans, rate-and-term refinances and cash-out refis. It also includes FHA Streamline refinances and VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRLs), according to the company’s website. The incentive is also available under the company’s Control Your Price (CYP) program in which UWM gives brokers a pool of pricing “basis points,” specifically up to 125 bps, that can be applied to loans locked with the lender. The program, announced in 2023, allows brokers to use up to 40…

Amie Wilkinson says she would think twice about student loans if she had a do-over. Wilkinson, 45, graduated from college in California with a double Bachelor’s of Arts in English and Political Science in 2001. When Wilkinson graduated, she had taken around $60,000 in debt, but now, that debt has more than doubled, to about $150,000, she said. Learn more This is the first in a series of discussions with individual student loan borrowers. Investopedia is asking borrowers what they would do differently to help inform future college students and their families. If you’re a borrower and have some advice…

Key Takeaways With a population of about 5,340, Algona, Iowa may appeal to retirees from the Midwest and farther afield.Algona is appealing as a retirement destination because it is walkable, community-oriented, and very affordable.Algona has a close-knit community with plenty of regular festivals and other events to encourage social connections. Located in north-central Iowa and roughly equidistant from Minneapolis and Des Moines, the quiet, small town of Algona may not be the flashiest retirement destination, but its combination of friendly atmosphere, low living costs, and relaxed pace are nonetheless appealing. If you’re looking for affordability and a close-knit community without…

Key Takeaways The Rockies have a reputation for being high-priced, thanks to popular tourist destinations like Telluride, Aspen, and Jackson.Still, many off-the-beaten-path options exist in the region for those looking to retire in the mountains on a budget.Salida and Glenwood Springs in Colorado, Laramie in Wyoming, and Sandpoint in Idaho offer a combination of access to Rocky Mountain beauty and activities, as well as considerations like cost of living and health care, all at more affordable prices. The Rockies, comprising parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, have a rugged appeal for many who appreciate crisp mountain air, stunning views,…

Key Takeaways Rochester, N.Y., Harrisburg, Pa., and Granite City, Ill. are the top housing markets for first-time homebuyers in 2026, according to a Realtor.com study.The study looked not only at housing prices, but also local inventory levels and economic outlooks.Amenities were also factored in, including conveniences like restaurants, day cares, shopping and commute times. First-time homebuyers in 2026 will continue to face a tough housing market thanks to sky-high housing prices and elevated mortgage rates. However, there are some areas where conditions are expected to be more favorable for first-time homebuyers, according to a new report from Realtor.com. Places like…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When it comes to filing for Social Security, everyone should be taking steps to maximize their eligible Social Security benefits.However, findings of a Center for Retirement Research at Boston College study estimating that more than $10 billion in benefits are left on the table each year make this more clear than ever. The issue of unclaimed benefits is even greater for women, for a multitude of reasons.If you are a woman approaching retirement — whether you are single, married, divorced or widowed — it’s critical that you review all of your eligible Social Security filing options to…

(Image credit: Getty Images)You’ve spent years making careful, disciplined financial decisions. You’ve built a retirement plan, stuck to it and reached a point where you’re no longer wondering if you have enough. But you’re struggling with how to enjoy it.That’s more common than you might think. I meet a lot of people who are financially free but emotionally stuck. The plan says they’re more than ready, but they can’t bring themselves to spend.The reasons people don’t spend — even when they canIn my experience, the numbers aren’t what hold people back. Some people live far below their means even when…