Author: Money Mechanics

The FIFA World Cup is well underway, with quarterfinals going on this weekend, but for some fans, excitement ended in frustration.The games started June 11 and end July 19. Those dates have been locked in for millions of World Cup fans around the world who’ve been waiting to watch the games for the last four years. For people living in the U.S., this tournament is especially exciting as we are a host nation, making some matches right next door for fans like Majda Praiz. Praiz is Croatian and has been living in Austin, Texas, with her husband for the last…

Mike came into the consultation with his mind nearly made up.At 67, he was past full retirement age and, between him and his wife, he had the larger earnings history. He could file for Social Security now and receive about $3,500 a month. Waiting until 70 felt, to him, like leaving money on the table.”I paid into this system for decades,” he said. “Why should we spend down our portfolio while I wait for a larger check?” 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…

Money usually goes off track slowly, with a few ignored expenses here and some delayed decisions there.But one financial reset each month can help you build a stronger financial position over the course of a year. I’m a financial professional with 10-plus years of experience, and this guide shows you how — and you don’t have to start the process in January.Month 1: Set financial goals and rebuild your budgetStart with measurable goals for the year. 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…

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 single 51-year-old retired associate professor of surgery who lives in North Carolina. She reports that her salary started at $210,000 and was $530,000 when she was forced to retire because of health issues. 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…

The allure of living in a state with no income tax in retirement can be undeniable. You won’t have to worry about withdrawals or required minimum distributions pushing you into a higher tax bracket. Nor do you have to think about the state taxing some of your Social Security or pension. Plus, every dollar you save on taxes is another dollar you can spend on travel, hobbies, spoiling the grandkids, or leaving money to your heirs.It’s one of the reasons Florida, Texas and Tennessee are popular destinations for retirees. But relocating for the tax break doesn’t mean you’ll automatically save…

Many families view the SUV as a status symbol of success, parked in the driveway. But that badge of success might be among the most expensive financial decisions you make this decade.Buying a vehicle is one of your largest household expenses, yet too many drivers prioritize aesthetics over economics. While price and passenger capacity matter, a surprising trend has emerged at dealerships: Shoppers are ignoring affordable minivans in favor of pricier SUVs.This represents the “SUV tax,” the total cost of ownership of choosing a lifestyle badge like an SUV over a more affordable vehicle. I’ll break down the opportunity cost…

Crude is grinding lower Friday, with West Texas Intermediate trading near $71.93 and , the global benchmark, changing hands around $76.80 — a drop of roughly $2.45 from the prior morning. Both benchmarks are giving back ground after a violent, headline-driven week that saw prices spike and fade on every twist of the US-Iran conflict. now sits below the $72 handle, having surrendered most of the geopolitical premium that drove it to the year’s highs earlier in 2026, and it is pinned between a well-defended floor and a stubborn ceiling that traders have been fighting over all week. The number…

Porch Group, the US homeowner’s specialist insurer has now priced its debut catastrophe bond, securing the targeted $100 million in multi-peril collateralized catastrophe reinsurance through the Harbor Crest Re Ltd. (Series 2026-1) issuance, while the notes priced at the lowest-end of reduced guidance, Artemis has learned.Porch made its debut in the catastrophe bond market for the first time in June, seeking $100 million of reinsurance from the capital markets to protect its two underwriting entities, the Porch Insurance Reciprocal Exchange and Homeowners of America Insurance Company. In our first update on this deal, we reported that the size target had not been…

Pending home sales ticked up as housing payments temporarily dipped down.  U.S. pending home sales rose 1.3% from a week earlier to their highest level since the first half of May during the four weeks ending July 5. This data is seasonally adjusted.  Homebuying demand picked up partly because of temporarily declining mortgage rates. The weekly average rate dipped to 6.43% on July 2, its lowest level in six weeks, as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end the war eased financial turmoil. That pushed the median monthly housing payment down to $2,598, its lowest level in six weeks.…

Acclaimed actress Helen Mirren is giving buyers another chance to own a piece of her own illustrious Hollywood history—this time with a multimillion-dollar discount.The Academy Award-winning star and her husband, director Taylor Hackford, have relisted their longtime Hollywood Hills estate for just a touch under $13 million after completing an extensive renovation at the storied property.It marks the latest chapter in what has been a yearslong struggle for the couple to sell their enormous abode, which they initially listed for $18.5 million in 2021—while also offering it up as a $45,000-a-month rental.That first listing did not bring about the Hollywood…