Author: Money Mechanics

Capsule hotels are a cheap alternative to expensive accomodation in London for office workers.Sawdah BhaimiyaWorkers who moved out of London for remote work are under pressure to come back to the office in the city, and some are choosing to stay in Japanese-inspired sleeping pods for just £30 ($40). I travelled to Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London to spend a night in a newly opened capsule hotel, after two of my colleagues who live outside the city recommended staying there. Zedwell Capsule Hotel, a brand owned by Criterion Capital, opened in September and offers nearly 1,000 capsules measuring…

Median rent by apartment size  Bedrooms  Median Rent 0-1  $1,650 2 $1,920 3+ $2,199 Source: Redfin, data as of August 2025. Regional Variation  In general, rents remain highest in larger cities and lower in smaller metropolitan areas and rural counties. In August 2025, New York City posted a median monthly asking rent of $3,397. When you expand the search to the larger metro area, metro New York also commands one of the highest median asking rents. More affordable metros include Louisville ($1,297 median) and St. Louis ($1,413 median). Smaller Midwestern/Southern markets show a high share of $1,000-and-under listings. For example,…

Traders will get some time off this week with the Christmas holiday ahead, though there is some economic data to watch for in the days to come. Markets will be closed Thursday and will wrap up early the day before. Stock markets will close at 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, while bond markets close at 2 p.m. EST. Investors will still have a handful of economic reports to follow, including a first look at third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). Read to the bottom for our calendar of key events—and one more thing. GDP, Consumer Confidence Data Highlight Holiday-Shortened Week A…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump could boost global economic growth by 0.5 percentage points if he negotiated away his “Liberation Day” tariffs by striking free trade deals with other countries, an analysis found.There’s no indication that tariffs will suddenly be removed, but the paper highlighted the extreme impact they’ve had on the global economy.U.S. consumers would see lower inflation in the coming years if the tariffs went away, the analysis found. President Donald Trump could invigorate the global economy and stamp out inflation quickly. All it would take would be scrapping his signature economic policy.That’s according to an analysis this…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, with its many moving parts and decisions. You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone.That’s why I developed the R.I.S.E. Retirement Roadmap, a four-step process that helps families navigate the retirement journey with clarity and confidence.R.I.S.E. stands for: 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 for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Roth conversions sound compelling: Tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals and no required minimum distributions (RMDs). What’s not to love?Well, as with most things that appear to be financial no-brainers, the answer is: Plenty, if you’re not careful.A Roth conversion can be one of the most powerful tax-planning moves you ever make. It can also become an unnecessarily expensive detour that leaves you wondering why you volunteered to write such a large check to the IRS. 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…

Key Takeaways Housing is often the biggest retirement expense, so a mortgage under $700 a month can make your income go further.Affordable options span the U.S., from Georgia and Virginia to South Dakota and Arizona.Some states—such as Pennsylvania and Iowa—don’t tax Social Security or other retirement income, which can also help stretch your money.Lower housing costs free up income for health care, travel, and leisure in retirement. Why an Affordable Mortgage Matters in Retirement The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey shows retired households spend about $5,000 a month, with housing as the biggest cost. Keeping mortgage…

Question: I’m 59 with $1.7 million in savings and just found out my team is being phased out in January. I’m getting a six-month buyout package. Should I just retire at 59½, or try to find another job?Answer: The U.S. economy is generally in a good place, and the unemployment rate is fairly low. Yet many people are worried about layoffs going into the new year.Part of it stems from what Glassdoor calls the “forever layoff” trend. Small layoffs of under 50 people are now the most common type. And because they only impact small pockets of employees, they’re happening…

Key Takeaways The average retirement account balance for Americans in their 70s is $250,000, but the median falls below $100,000. Once required minimum distributions (RMDs) start at 73, have a plan for your taxes. You’ve spent decades building your retirement savings. Now comes the part where you make it last. In your 70s, the questions change. It’s no longer about how much you can save—it’s about how much you can safely spend without running out of money. The average American in their 70s has $250,000 saved, but half have less than $107,000. Whether you’re above or below that line, the…

Key Takeaways Australia’s most affordable retirement cities—from Launceston to Adelaide—offer a lower cost of living than the U.S.While median home values are above those in the U.S., they are about 30% to 50% lower than in the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne.These destinations already have established retiree communities, with 15% to 23% of residents aged 65 and older—meaning infrastructure, health care, and social networks are already in place. Australia offers Americans walkable cities, less crime, stunning coastlines, and a genuine slow-down-and-enjoy-life culture—all in a country where English is the native language, and the coffee is world-class. While the median…