Author: Money Mechanics

KEY TAKEAWAYS Millions of federal student loan borrowers are in default, and in February, thousands will begin to see their wages garnished by the Department of Education to offset any outstanding payments.Borrowers can consolidate their student loans or apply for loan rehabilitation, which will help them exit default and restore their loans to good standing. The Department of Education will soon resume garnishing the wages of defaulted borrowers, and experts say these borrowers should take action now to get back into good standing. More than 5 million borrowers who are currently in default, which occurs after 270 days of missed…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. December 23, 2025 Federal Reserve Board announces approval of the application by National Bank Holdings Corporation For release at 1:30 p.m. EST The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced its approval of the application by National Bank Holdings Corporation, of Greenwood Village, Colorado, to merge with Vista Bancshares, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire Vista Bank, both of Dallas, Texas. The Board also gave its approval for NBH Bank, of Greenwood Village, Colorado, to…

If you’re planning to borrow or refinance a loan soon, you may be wondering what’s in store for 2026. While nothing is set in stone, experts expect loan rates to decrease slightly in 2026 — but not dramatically. Interest rates are unlikely to return to the rock-bottom numbers of a few years ago, but even a modest decline could lower your borrowing costs. A rate decrease could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest charges on a personal loan, car loan, or student loan. Understanding what drives interest rates — and where they might be going in…

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2025 (July, August, and September), according to the initial estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.8 percent.Due to the recent government shutdown, this initial report for the third quarter of 2025 replaces the release of the advance estimate originally scheduled for October 30 and the second estimate originally scheduled for November 26.The increase in real GDP in the third quarter reflected increases in consumer spending, exports, and government spending that were partly…

hit another record on Monday, just two months after its last peak. Prices have now crossed $4,500 an ounce, up more than 71.61% since December 23, 2024. has also surged, briefly crossing $70 an ounce for the first time ever. Silver has risen far faster than gold this year, with gains of around 131.2% since December 23, 2024. The rally in gold and other precious metals came as investors looked for safe places to park money. Demand rose after tensions increased between the US and Venezuela. The situation escalated after the US Navy tried to seize a third oil tanker linked…

Construction company Alquist 3D worked with Walmart last year to build a nearly 8,000-square-foot 3D printed addition to its store in Athens, Tennessee.AlquistA 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.Walmart partnered with construction company Alquist 3D last year to build an almost 8,000-square-foot addition to its store in Athens, Tennessee, for online order pickup and delivery…

Key Takeaways Shares of bitcoin-linked company Strategy has fallen over 45% in the past year, underperforming the world’s biggest cryptocurrency.Michael Saylor, Strategy’s cofounder and executive chairman, said “what we’re building goes beyond bitcoin exposure.” Bitcoin crusader and Strategy front-man Michael Saylor has a new story to tell about his company. Some experts think it could help revive the company’s beleaguered stock. For years, the company and its shares attracted a loyal following as a bitcoin proxy. Lately, though, they have lost some luster: As spot bitcoin funds got bigger and crypto businesses proliferated on major exchanges, giving traders more ways…

Key Takeaways Dealer motivation often matters more than the sticker price, especially late in the year.Late December, especially New Year’s Eve, often gives buyers more negotiating leverage than other times of year.Timing only works in your favor if you’re financially ready and flexible on the model or features. Why Timing Can Matter as Much as Price When Buying a Car Most people shopping for a car focus on the sticker price, and understandably so. While the price is important, there’s another factor that often matters just as much: when you buy. Car dealerships run on sales cycles, with monthly and…

(BOE Report)– In Chicago’s working-class Pilsen neighborhood, a 60s-era oil-fired power plant rises up from an industrial lot behind Dvorak Park, which in warmer weather is packed with children climbing on its colorful playground and zooming down slides. The rarely-used eight-unit Fisk power plant owned by Houston-based NRG Energy was scheduled to retire next year. But then came from artificial intelligence. Prices shot up in the country’s biggest power market – PJM Interconnection – as electricity requests from data centers exceeded existing supplies, sounding the alarm over power shortfalls, and making Fisk and other plants like it suddenly profitable. “We…

Key Takeaways Financially supporting adult children can quietly erode retirement savings if it comes at the expense of your own long-term security.Market downturns early in retirement make rigid withdrawal rules risky, underscoring the need for flexibility and having a cash buffer. Even for the well-prepared, things can go awry in retirement—whether it’s entering your golden years during a bear market or facing an unexpected death. While you might not be able to plan for every surprise, Investopedia spoke with financial experts to understand what hidden red flags commonly arise for people during retirement and how you can prepare. 1. Helping…