Author: Money Mechanics

Universities and research labs have long been Europe’s deep tech treasure trove. Now, academic spinouts have consolidated into a solid startup funnel worth $398 billion — and VC money is following. According to Dealroom’s European Spinout Report 2025, 76 of these deep tech and life sciences companies have either reached $1 billion valuations, $100 million in revenue, or both. These include unicorns like Iceye, IQM, Isar Aerospace, Synthesia, and Tekever, which are now inspiring more funds to back university spinouts. Just this month, two new funds emerged that will bring more funding to talent emerging out of European tech universities,…

Key Takeaways Americans can expect to pay anywhere from about $5,000 to $30,000 per month for nursing home care, depending on the market.Medicare covers 100% of the costs of nursing home care for only 20 days. After that, families must handle the costs.There are steps families can take to try to shield themselves from these high costs, but it’s important to prepare early. There are many reasons why people don’t put their parents in a nursing home as their care needs mount. They may want to help their parents maintain their independence, for example, or protect them from potential elder…

Key Takeaways Gen Z’s ideal retirement age is 59, but they expect to retire at 67, reflecting a gap between aspiration and expectation seen across generations. Compared to Baby Boomers at the same age, more Gen Zers have access to defined contribution plans like 401(k)s. New 401(k) features and starting to save earlier can help younger generations build larger nest eggs compared to older age groups. While Gen Z dreams of an early retirement, they’re not expecting it. Gen Z’s ideal retirement age is 59, according to a new survey from Manulife John Hancock Retirement, an insurance company. However, this…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Social Security beneficiaries may have their benefits reduced if they have missed child support payments, have unpaid taxes or government debt, or have received an overpayment.The Social Security benefits will continue to be offset until the full amount due is paid, but there are some ways to delay or lower the garnishment. Missing child support payments, unpaid taxes, or debt to the government could prevent you from getting the full amount of your next Social Security check. Wage garnishment, or when a person’s earnings are withheld, typically occurs when someone owes debt or is not making required payments.…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is likely to cut rates in 2026, but internal divisions and mixed economic data could limit the extent and pace.Even with a new Fed chair appointed by President Donald Trump, interest-rate decisions will still depend on committee consensus. The Federal Reserve is heading into a tricky 2026, as officials debate the economy’s mixed signals and President Donald Trump is due to name a new Fed chair. The central bank will likely lower rates a couple of times, some analysts say, as November’s jobs report brought the latest evidence of a weakening economy. One big question…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett believes you should invest in businesses that you understand, rather than in the investing fad that everyone is talking about. Instead of jumping on what’s hot, Buffett has been staying away from tech and hoarding T-bills/cash, while shrinking his Apple (AAPL) stake. History repeats itself: Buffett didn’t buy tech stocks in 1999–2000 and he was transparent about why. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has surged to all time highs in 2025, driven by sustained fervor around artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies. But whenever crowd enthusiasm gets concentrated in a hot sector, Warren Buffett grows skeptical. At the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Everybody (rightfully) looks forward to booking a vacation, especially in the dreary days of winter. But the ever-present issue with travel is that, well, it costs a lot of money. Between picking out flights, shelling out for hotels and selecting special destination experiences, the vacation tab starts out high and only continues to climb.That’s where the new “buy now, pay later” options have been coming in handy for many travelers. But does it make sense to use buy now, pay later as a way to afford your vacation?While there are certainly upsides, there is a lot you…

If you’re a Bilt cardholder, you’ve probably seen the headlines about the company’s breakup with Wells Fargo, and maybe wondered what it actually means for your points, your rent rewards and your credit card going into 2026. The truth is, this transition is a pretty big deal, not just for renters who love earning points on monthly payments, but for anyone who’s built Bilt into their rewards strategy.Over the next few months, the original Wells Fargo-issued Bilt Mastercard will wind down, a brand-new lineup of Bilt cards will roll out and every current cardholder will need to make a choice…

Key Takeaways An exemption that made student loan forgiveness tax-free ends in 2025.That means borrowers who complete the requirements for forgiveness in 2026 should prepare for a higher tax bill.Taxpayers who achieve the requirements for loan forgiveness before 2025 ends, however, will not pay taxes on it, even if their loan discharge is in 2026. If you expect to have your federal student loans forgiven in 2026, you should check now to see if you’ll owe taxes on those funds. Under a temporary tax rule created during the pandemic, borrowers who became eligible to have their loans discharged under an…

Do you want an estate plan that prioritizes flexibility, probate avoidance and keeps you in charge? Or one that focuses on long-term asset protection and estate tax minimization? This short quiz will help you understand if your current needs align more closely with a revocable or an irrevocable trust. Let’s find your fit!If you want to learn more about trusts and estate planning, you can follow the links below the personality quiz to expand your knowledge.More on Trusts, from the Kiplinger team: From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88…