Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Get the attorney’s fee structure in writing up front.Provide a clean, organized financial package so your legal team can focus on strategy instead of gathering information.Start with a preliminary post-divorce financial plan to guide negotiations and reduce unnecessary delays.Set clear communication rules to limit reactive emails and keep billable time focused on what actually matters. When clients ask me how to finance a divorce lawyer, what they are really asking is how to afford the entire divorce process without draining liquidity and racking up avoidable fees. In my experience, the biggest cost driver is not the retainer itself;…

Key Takeaways The early year boost in the benchmark S&P 500 associated with Saint Nick was a no-show for a third year in a row.The S&P 500 posted a slight loss over this season’s stretch, which ended with Monday’s close. Stock traders didn’t get much from Santa this season. Does that mean this year’s returns will be lighter than in years past? The Santa Claus rally—the tendency for stocks to rise during the trading period containing the final five trading days of December and the first two of the new year—yesterday looked as though it would materialize in the 11th…

It’s becoming less common for states to tax Social Security benefits, but eight states still do.However, the tax treatment of Social Security retirement income can vary drastically from state to state. That’s mainly because many of these states won’t tax your Social Security if you meet specific income guidelines, and some states have more generous guidelines than others.So, here’s how all eight states tax Social Security retirement income. 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…

Catastrophe bond market insurance risk spreads, or the discount margin, increased by roughly 6% in the month of December 2025, as spread widening returned to more seasonal norms lifting the overall yield of the catastrophe bond market to 8.80%.Seasonal spread tightening caused by the Atlantic hurricane season had been compressing catastrophe bond market spreads through recent months, a trend that began to slow in November as the wind season drew to its close for the year. In December 2025, the catastrophe bond market began to experience typical spread widening and this has lifted the overall yield of the market in…

Crowds walk through midtown Manhattan on Oct. 16, 2025 in New York City.Spencer Platt | Getty ImagesA version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.Office leasing in Manhattan surged substantially higher in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by continued return-to-office and increased tech hiring, especially for artificial intelligence.Leasing increased by more than 25% from the third…

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Google’s AI Overviews offered bad medical advice, says The Guardian.Experts found some of the data to be misleading and even dangerous.Don’t rely solely on AI to research serious medical conditions.Turning to AI to answer health-related questions seems like an easy and convenient option that may spare you from a doctor’s visit. That’s particularly true with a tool like Google’s AI Overviews, which summarizes the results that pop up during a regular Google Search. Also: How to get rid of AI Overviews in…

Key Takeaways Travel enthusiasts are drawn to Brazil for its incredible landscapes and historic sights, but inflation and crime can make retiring there more difficult than a short-term stay. Even with a designated path to citizenship, Brazilian immigration can be slow and stressful to navigate.  Despite being the largest country in South America, Brazil is the only Latin American nation with Portuguese as its official language, an added linguistic hurdle for most Americans. Travel + Leisure has named Brazil its 2026 Destination of the Year for its extravagant festivals, diverse landscapes, and flavorful cuisines. If you’re attracted to Brazil’s rich…

Key Takeaways Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices showcased their newest AI products at CES on Monday.Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said his company’s latest chips can be used for a wide range of applications, including robotics and self-driving cars along with creating and training AI models. Tech investors got a fresh look at the product roadmaps of two leading AI chipmakers on Monday. Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Lisa Su each spoke at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Monday, where they unveiled their companies’ newest AI chips. Huang showcased Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip…

Key Takeaways City investments in transit, parks, and schools often spark neighborhood growth.Trendy businesses and renovations signal rising confidence and shifting demographics.Local media and zoning meetings reveal early signs of change.Rising prices, lower vacancies, and young professionals show demand is heating up.Pair reports of improvements with firsthand visits to confirm a neighborhood’s potential. Have you ever thought, “If only I’d bought in that neighborhood before it took off…”? Spotting the next hot area before prices start to take off isn’t that difficult—it’s simply about recognizing patterns and trends. The key is knowing which signals to look for, both in data…

Key Takeaways It’s possible to enjoy the sea, nature, good weather, laid-back lifestyle, and other benefits of island life on a much lower budget than in the U.S.The islands on this list offer natural beauty, tranquillity, the ability to get by in English, and accessible visas.The downsides of island life include fewer food choices, potential boredom, and being far from home and specialist health care. Ever dreamed of spending your post-working years on an island but figured you’d never be able to save enough to make it happen? Think again. The warm climate, ocean views, natural beauty, and laid-back lifestyle…