Author: Money Mechanics

Question: My grown child got laid off. How do I talk to them about it over the holidays without making them think I’m disappointed in them?Answer: The holidays are a great time for families to reconnect. And if you’re an empty nester with grown kids, you may be looking forward to seeing them this December.A recent survey found that 54% of empty nesters expect their grown children to come home for the holidays. And 69% say luring them home with the promise of their favorite foods is a tactic that’s long been successful. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

(Image credit: Getty Images)This is the time of year when Wall Street strategists look into their proverbial crystal balls to get a sense of what investors may face in the new year. This year, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine spoke with Keith Lerner, the chief market strategist and chief investment officer for Truist Wealth.Lerner says the U.S. stock market will contend with “a carousel of concerns” but should come out ahead in 2026, thanks to strong fundamentals. Read on to see what’s behind Truist’s bullish view.Kiplinger: What do you see ahead for financial markets in 2026? Do you have a target…

Tired of feeling in a tight spot come tax time? You’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research report, just over half of Americans believe they pay “more than their fair share” in taxes.Fortunately, you could have a say over how much the taxman takes if you’re willing to relocate. But you should consider a state’s overall tax landscape before making a move.For instance, some states make up for low income taxes with higher taxes in other areas, like sales and property tax rates — making you perhaps no better off than you were before relocating, tax-wise. From just…

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is pushing a new “No Taxes on Healthcare Act” that would let households deduct up to $25,000 in out‑of‑pocket medical costs, including health insurance premiums they pay themselves.This proposed deduction would be in addition to the standard deduction, which most taxpayers currently claim.The proposal comes on the heels of a massive 2025 Trump/GOP tax and spending bill that offers taxpayers several new deductions for car loan interest, overtime pay, and tip 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…

Key Takeaways The concept of “retirement” is evolving; 65 today looks and feels more like 55 a generation ago. For most young professionals, retirement planning really means planning for financial independence, and the freedom to choose how, when, and why they work.  Successful retirement planning is not about maximizing your wealth at 80, but rather balancing your current lifestyle preferences with your future financial security.  Ultimately, retirement planning is life planning, which can be defined as living how you want and structuring your finances in a way that supports your goals.  More Americans are turning 65 right now than at any other point…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Homeowners today are sitting on a historic amount of real estate wealth. Americans collectively hold about $17.3 trillion in home equity, a level not seen in decades.At the same time, borrowing costs tied to that equity have begun to ease. Many home-equity loans, HELOCs and cash-out refinances have recently dipped below 8%, after peaking much higher during the rate-hike cycle.With 2026 approaching, a year that could bring both lower interest rates and tax-law changes, many homeowners are weighing their options. Should they tap their equity now, or wait in hopes of better savings later? Here is how…

Key Takeaways Gift cards are prepaid stored value cards used for specific stores or online purchases. Some cards charge fees or have expiration dates that reduce their value. Closed-loop cards work with one retailer; open-loop cards can be used more widely. Tracking balances and buying from trusted sources helps avoid scams or lost value. Gift cards and prepaid cards differ in how they are used and reloaded. Gift cards have become one of the most popular and convenient ways to give money, whether for specific stores or online purchases. They offer flexibility for both the buyer and the recipient but…

Key Takeaways You’ll receive 132% of your monthly benefit amount if you wait until age 70 to begin collecting.If you start taking benefits at age 70 versus age 67, your monthly income will be larger, but your total payout through age 81 will be less.You may be able to withdraw your claim for benefits within the first 12 months after you begin collecting if you change your mind and decide to wait. Women generally have a longer life expectancy than men. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s 5.3 years longer: 81.1 years compared to 75.8…

Key Takeaways Gen Z’s biggest money stresses have real fixes.The first goal is to have “fall back money”—$10,000 to $20,000, so one bad month doesn’t send you into debt.You don’t have to choose between paying off debt or investing: A “middle-ground” strategy—do both every month—keeps interest from piling up while still letting you capture market gains.Small habits move the needle fast: Seventy percent of Gen Zers tell surveyors they lose sleep over money. This anxiety has a concrete cause. In 2025, the average credit score for young adults dropped to 676, the steepest decline of any generation.​ We asked Ken…

QBE Insurance Group, the Australia headquartered global insurance and reinsurance company, is back in the catastrophe bond market, seeking $300 million or more of international peak peril reinsurance from a Bridge Street Re Ltd. (Series 2025-2) issuance, Artemis has learned.QBE was last seen in the catastrophe bond market in early 2025, when it secured $250 million of multi-peril protection from the Bridge Street Re Ltd. (Series 2025-1) deal. This marked QBE’s first catastrophe bond since late 2013, when it secured $250 million of US and Australian multi-peril protection from the VenTerra Re Ltd. (Series 2013-1) deal. With this new cat bond, QBE is once…