Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish its report on Thursday on September job creation, after a six-week delay caused by the government shutdown.U.S. employers are forecast to have added 51,000 jobs, more than the 22,000 in August, although less than the 147,000 average in the 12 months through April.Uncertainty about tariffs has weighed on job creation, resulting in a significant hiring slowdown. A long-delayed report on job growth Thursday is likely to show the job market bounced back in September after a dismal summer.The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to publish its monthly report on job…

Stocks opened lower and recovered briefly but slid through the afternoon to begin a big week for economic reporting and an even bigger one on the earnings front. With data distributed by the federal government starting to flow again, investors, traders and speculators are fixating on what the leader of the AI revolution will say about its most recently completed quarter.The Census Bureau announced late Friday that it would publish August construction spending data today, as it updates its release calendar in the aftermath of the government shutdown. The agency will provide the release schedule as soon as it becomes…

Investors are experiencing a familiar sense of pressure as the screens turn red once more. A couple rough days in the market can undo weeks of confidence and I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to admit. You think you’re calm until the drawdown shows up before breakfast. Then the questions start piling in. Do you protect what you have left? Do you wait for the bounce? Do you cut the loss before it turns into something much worse? I have watched fund managers freeze on the exact same screens and I have seen private investors throw away…

In-brief analysis November 17, 2025 Data source: Baker Hughes CompanyNote: Excludes any miscellaneous rigs The average number of active rigs per month that are drilling for oil and natural gas in the U.S. Lower 48 states has declined steadily over the past few years from a recent peak of 750 rigs in December 2022 to 517 rigs this October. The declining rig count reflects operators’ responses to declining crude oil and natural gas prices and improvements in drilling efficiencies. Since December 2022, the oil-directed rig count has dropped 33% to…

This Week In A Nutshell With the government open, mortgage rates may wobble as we digest the September jobs report this Thursday and hear from the statistical agencies about what fresh data will be arriving before the December 10 Fed meeting. Upcoming Attractions September jobs report (Thursday): This data is expected to show a small rebound in job creation compared to August with the unemployment rate staying flat at 4.3%. The data is old, but in the absence of data, something is better than nothing. Updated release calendar: Over the coming week, we expect BLS, BEA, and Census to update…

Key Takeaways Young adults consider success to mean living without debt (64%), supporting a family (60%), and being able to afford a lifestyle without stress (58%). Living within your means, paying off high-interest debt, and building emergency savings can all help pursue these goals. To support a family, research shows that focusing on materialism is less important to children’s well-being and happiness than strong emotional bonds with parents. According to a survey released by Citizens Financial Group, fewer than 40% of young adults expect to be more successful than their parents, and only 26% want to climb the corporate ladder.…

KEY TAKEAWAYS With inflation rates outpacing wage growth, households are spending a larger share of their income on necessities. In particular, more households in the Northeast and Midwest are living paycheck to paycheck.However, this trend may not last forever, as consumers in the South and West are facing similar, if not higher, inflation growth compared to other areas. More families are living paycheck to paycheck as inflation continues to rise nationwide, but some regions are experiencing higher cost increases than others. Living paycheck to paycheck means that a household spends more than 95% of its income on necessities, according to…

Age Median 401(k) Savings Goal Gap 40s $162,143 $1,428,571 $1,266,428 50s $251,758 $1,428,571 $1,176,813 For early retirees, these aren’t finish lines, they’re starting points. Planning conservatively and saving above the benchmarks can mean the difference between running out of money and retiring with peace of mind. Accessing Your 401(k) Before 59½ It’s important to know that you can’t access your 401(k) funds without a 10% penalty until 59½, aside from limited exceptions. That means anyone retiring before 59½ will need a plan to cover expenses until those funds are accessible. Taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRA contributions (which can be withdrawn…

Younger boomers adopted digital convenience throughout their work years. They are now carrying life-by-app into retirement and reshaping the longevity economy.gettyOn-demand living, from home services to grocery delivery to ride-sharing, was once framed as the domain of convenience-hungry Millennials and Gen Z’ers. But look around any neighborhood on any given day and you’ll see a different reality unfolding. A steady rotation of Amazon drivers, Instacart shoppers, Uber and Lyft rides, and TaskRabbit handypeople increasingly serve older adults, not just the young.New data from Morning Consult’s Fastest Growing Brands 2025 report confirms what the sidewalks, lobbies, and driveways already reveal. Tracking…

Key Takeaways The median net worth of Americans 45–54 is $246,700, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest data.Wealth gaps in this age group reflect salaries, inheritances, home equity, spending habits, and investment size.To grow wealth before retirement, focus on maximizing earnings, managing spending, and investing through tax-advantaged accounts. The Average Net Worth for Ages 45–54 and What It Reveals About Retirement Readiness Americans between 45 and 54 have a median net worth of $246,700, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances. “Median” is a middle-of-the-road number that means that half of people in this age group have more…