Author: Money Mechanics

Have you ever noticed that the prices of the things you buy online seem to change for no rhyme or reason? I was recently shopping for my daughter’s first birthday, and I had my eye on the Rolls-Royce of kids’ wagons — this thing is nicer than some of the cars I drove in college.But I wanted to do some research first. So I put the wagon in the online shopping cart while I read some expert and customer reviews. Not even a day later, I was back — and the wagon was a few dollars more expensive than it…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The writer is a former adviser to Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Tony Blair and a former headteacherIt’s easy to make big statements about the tragedy of a million young people in the UK not in education, employment or training (known as Neets). But it’s a very different matter to listen properly to young people who may be traumatised, ground down, despairing or just lost. The girl parcelled out to 11 sets of foster parents in 18 months. The boy bullied at school…

When it comes to imparting retirement advice, Dave Ramsey has been at it for over three decades. The retirement expert, author and podcaster has helped millions of people navigate the complexities of retirement saving and preparing.While not everyone agrees with the advice Ramsey has to offer — from saving 15% of your annual salary to not relying on Social Security only in retirement — most can agree that Ramsey is influential in the world of personal finance.As you approach your golden years or if you are already in them, filtering his high-energy principles into actionable strategies can be the difference…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.The German government has entered talks to buy a 40 per cent stake in KNDS, a decision clearing the path for a planned listing of the Franco-German tank maker before the summer.Germany is seeking to buy the shares from the German families who currently own half of the Amsterdam-based company, on the basis of the valuation obtained in the listing, government insiders said. It has now entered talks with the shareholders including the French state, which holds 50 per cent of the…

Nvidia’s exceptional earnings failed to spark a stock rally. Should this be seen as a warning sign for the most expensive tech stocks? Discover 10 undervalued tech stocks that analysts are particularly bullish on. NVIDIA () reported for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 on Wednesday evening, and the numbers were once again very strong. Revenue jumped 85% from a year earlier to $81.6 billion, beating analysts’ expectations of around $79.2 billion. The company’s Data Center business, which remains its main growth driver, nearly doubled revenue year over year to $75.2 billion. This segment now makes up 92% of…

For months, scammers have been taking advantage of a loophole that allows them to send spammy emails from an internal Microsoft email address typically used for sending legitimate account alerts. It’s not clear how the scammers are abusing the system, but they have been able to set up new Microsoft accounts as if they are new customers, and use that access to send out emails purportedly from the tech giant itself, potentially tricking people into thinking that these emails may be genuine. Microsoft doesn’t yet appear to have gotten a handle on the issue. Last week, I received several, similarly…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Trust is in short supply these days, and not just in Washington.Across American workplaces, confidence in leadership, information and intent has eroded, according to Gallup, in subtle yet deeply consequential ways. The result isn’t just cultural discomfort; it’s a direct hit to productivity, collaboration and performance.Politics will grapple with the trust deficit in its own fashion. In business, however, the responsibility is more immediate and more actionable. Rebuilding trust isn’t a messaging exercise: It requires a fundamental shift in how leaders show up, communicate and make decisions. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When consumers look for a financial adviser, experience is often the first credential they check.Years in the business signal stability and familiarity with market cycles and client complexities. These qualities understandably build trust.But as planning complexities evolve (tech workforce disruption, longer lifespans, a morphing tax code, government debt dilemmas), experience alone is likely not enough. 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 Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When it comes to personal finance advice, delaying Social Security benefits until age 70 to lock in a higher benefit for life is a popular strategy. The main perk of waiting? It boosts your benefit by 8% each year after you reach full retirement age (67 for people born in 1960 or later) up until age 70. Who doesn’t like to get a raise?Moreover, waiting until 70 can be a smart strategy for protecting your spouse’s benefits should you pass away first.But there’s a catch: you need to be able to generate enough income in those so-called…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When you’re in your 30s and 40s, saving for retirement isn’t usually a top priority. That’s understandable. When you’re focusing on career growth, homeownership or starting a family, retirement planning is going to fall to the bottom of the pile.But that could turn out to be a problem. Thanks to compounding interest, it’s during these two decades that saving matters the most.A common misconception is that the amount you contribute to a retirement plan matters more than when you start saving. But consider a $300 monthly contribution to a 401(k) with a 7% rate of return. If…