Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Nvidia’s Jensen Huang said back in June that he believes “everybody’s jobs will be changed” by artificial intelligence.During the same week in June, OpenAI’s Sam Altman said there could be “whole classes of jobs going away,” due to AI, but that he expects people to find new solutions to address the shift.The comments come amid concerns over the extent to which AI could disrupt the labor market. Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang said at an event in June that he believes “everybody’s jobs will be changed” by artificial intelligence. “Some jobs will be obsolete, but many jobs are…

Key Takeaways Technically, you can use home equity financing to pay off a home loan, but that’s often counterproductive.The only ways to access home equity are to sell your home or take out new financing, which comes at a cost. The nearly 50% rise in home values over the past six years—from $243,398 in November 2019 to $359,241 in November 2025—has helped many homeowners enjoy a surge in home equity. This additional value could potentially help you pay down debt or pay for repairs or renovations. However, it’s important to understand that home equity isn’t free money. For one Reddit…

Key Takeaways Hermitage, Johnstown, and Altoona are the top three Pennsylvania towns that made our list of the 50 best places to retire in the U.S. this year. When choosing a retirement destination, factors like cost of living, health care access, and lifestyle amenities play a crucial role. Pennsylvania doesn’t tax pensions, Social Security income, or retirement account withdrawals.  If you’re looking for a place to retire, consider Pennsylvania. It offers an attractive mix of urban and small-town living, affordability, access to quality health care, and proximity to major metros. Earlier this year, Investopedia compiled a list of 50 of the best…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If your phone is ready for an upgrade, but your wallet’s still exhausted from all that holiday shopping, Metro by T-Mobile has a free phone deal that could solve both of your problems. For a limited time, you can get up to four free Samsung Galaxy A16s with some of the most affordable mobile plans on the market right now.Plans eligible for the free phone deal start at just $40 per month with each additional line costing as little as $25. If you’re currently with a major provider like Verizon or T-Mobile, a free phone with such…

(Image credit: Getty Images)As 2025 winds down, many households find themselves pulled in many directions. Holiday gatherings, year-end work obligations and family commitments all compete for attention.In the midst of that chaos, financial to-dos often could slip to the bottom of the list.But the final stretch of the year can be one of the most meaningful windows for anyone looking to reset, refocus and shore up their finances before 2026 begins. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Preparing for retirement isn’t just about accumulating money; it’s about helping make sure every aspect of your financial life is ready for that next chapter. Does your retirement plan cover all the bases?The acronym IDEAL is a helpful way to remember the five key areas of retirement planning that, together, create a comprehensive plan:IncomeDistribution strategyExpensesAssetsLegacyMany people focus heavily on investments or assume that if they’ve saved enough, retirement will take care of itself. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you’re an American in your mid-70s, your retirement accounts are both a comfort and a challenge.After decades of work, diligent saving and consistent investing, your balance might climb into the millions. Yet, since you turned 72 or 73 (depending on the year you were born), you’ve had to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRA.Say you’re now 75 with about $4.5 million in traditional IRA funds, and you receive a notice that your RMD will be just under $183,000. The withdrawal is mandatory. More unsettling is that every dollar is taxable as ordinary income. From…

Welcome to Kiplinger’s My First $1 Million series, in which we hear from people who have made $1 million. They’re sharing how they did it and what they’re doing with it. This time, we hear from a retired and married 68-year-old former middle school teacher. He’s from Michigan, lives in North Carolina now and has lived in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Illinois.See our earlier profiles, including a writer in New England, a literacy interventionist in Colorado, a semiretired entrepreneur in Nashville and an events industry CEO in Northern New Jersey. (See all of the profiles here.) From just $107.88…

It’s early morning, and the sun is just peeking over the horizon as I consider my options for this morning’s drive. The older cars are both mid-repair, so I hop into my 1994 Mazda Miata. It doesn’t seem antique to me, but at more than 30 years old, it qualifies as a classic for today’s drive. After a quick engine check raises no red flags, I close the hood, climb in and hit the gas.There is a chill in the air and fog on the San Francisco Bay, but the top is down. At this early hour, the roads are…

Key takeaways Albuquerque offers affordable living with tax-friendly perks.Over 1,500 healthcare facilities give retirees peace of mind.Rich culture and outdoor recreation create a balanced retirement lifestyle.Strong social networks and retiree-friendly communities thrive here. Retirees today are prioritizing one thing above all else: access to high-quality healthcare. In a recent analysis of top retirement destinations, Albuquerque, New Mexico, stands out with more than 1,500 healthcare facilities—22 of those being hospitals in the county. Additionally, Albuquerque is an affordable place to live, offers much in the way of entertainment and arts, and is located in proximity to an international airport, making it…