Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways UiPath is set to join the S&P MidCap 400 index on Friday, replacing Synovus Financial.S&P Dow Jones Indices also announced changes to the index slated for early January. Shares of UiPath rose Wednesday on news that the business software company will join the S&P MidCap 400 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices said UiPath (PATH) would become part of the index prior to the opening of trading on Friday. It will replace Synovus Financial (SYN), which is being acquired by Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) in a deal expected to close soon. Why This Matters to Investors A stock’s inclusion…

Key Takeaways Foodie destinations like Italy can be great retirement destinations, but only if affordability and other factors align.Great food is just one among many important considerations when selecting a place to retire. For retirees looking for a fulfilling, foodie-forward approach to their later years, there may be a unique appeal to countries celebrated for having some of the best cuisine in the world. However, retiring abroad also means balancing a host of factors: affordability, lifestyle, community, and accessibility, among others. Below, we consider how to strike a balance between the deliciousness of a location’s foods and other retirement needs.…

Key Takeaways Planning where you’ll live and whether to downsize your home is one of the biggest factors in planning for retirement. You can clear out the clutter and make extra cash by selling possessions you’ll no longer need like your work wardrobe, extra electronics, kids’ toys, and even your second car. Working with a financial planner can help you envision and plan for your retirement, including what you will and won’t need. Many people downsize their living situation to simplify their lives when they retire. But your home isn’t the only thing you can downsize, and it isn’t even…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Like a lot of people, I’ve eased my way into retirement. Since I left my role as a senior editor at Kiplinger Personal Finance about a year ago, I’ve continued to write freelance articles and columns for the magazine, and I’ve contributed to Kiplinger Retirement Report along with other publications, too.When I’m not writing about personal finance, I’m busy managing my own retirement finances, which sometimes feels like a full-time job. Some lessons I’ve learned:Taxes are complicated. While I was working for an employer, I had taxes withheld from my paycheck, so I didn’t pay much attention…

Key Takeaways Developments in Santa jobs this year mirror trends in the overall workforce, with job listings down and pay rising for workers with in-demand characteristics, in this case, real beards.Real-bearded Santas make $9 an hour more than their fake-whiskered counterparts, one analysis found.Job listings for Santa have plummeted 35% since 2024 due to dying malls and a shift to online sales. Having a real beard is worth an extra $9 an hour for people who work as Santas, an analysis of job postings found.Demand for Santas with real beards has surged over the past three years, and their pay…

Stock futures were little changed Wednesday, a day after the S&P 500 ended at a record closing high. Markets will shut early today and be closed tomorrow for Christmas.  Nasdaq 100 futures and those associated with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial average all ticked 0.1% lower. The U.S. stock market will close at 1:00 p.m. ET today, while the bond market will shut at 2:00 p.m. Markets will be closed for Christmas tomorrow but open on Friday. Yesterday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq, benchmark S&P 500, and blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average ended higher for a fourth straight session, again led by tech shares,…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.“Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do,” begins Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, young Alice is spurred to imagine a dream landscape populated by fantastical creatures and characters, from the White Rabbit to the Queen of Hearts. The same impulse should inspire us to tackle tedium this festive season, not as a blight but as a bonus.At this time of year, a high state…

Key Takeaways Leaving your 401(k) with your former employer keeps funds invested and growing tax deferred, but you can’t make new contributions.Rolling over the funds to an IRA gives you more investment choices, lower fees, and greater control over your savings.Transferring the funds to a new employer’s 401(k) can maximize employer matches and consolidate accounts, but new plans may have limited options or higher fees. When you leave a job, it’s important to decide what to do with your 401(k), because each option affects your taxes, fees, and long-term savings. One Reddit user shared their experience when changing jobs: “My…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a tried-and-true investment that retirees and others often turn to when they want to preserve their money while earning at least a smidgen of interest.These investment stalwarts serve as quiet guardians of your money rather than as risk-takers that could expose you to danger. Those traits are both their strength and their weakness.Yes, the money in a CD is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000 and guaranteed to give you the promised rate of return. But because of the low interest rates that CDs typically come…

Here’s a look at how today’s high-yield savings account rates stack up. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in late 2024, and it recently announced its third rate cut of 2025 which means deposit rates are on a steady decline. It’s more important than ever to ensure you’re earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher. Not sure where to find the best savings interest rates today? Read on…