Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Starting to save in your 20s could leave you with about twice the savings as starting in your 30s and more than four times as much vs. starting in your 40s. That’s because the math of compounding has far more time to work its magic. A typical 401(k) setup, where you contribute around 8% to 10% and your employer kicks in a match of 4% or more, gets you to the 12% to 15% total savings rate experts recommend. Starting retirement planning in your 20s is a genuine game-changer. Thanks to compounding, every dollar you invest in your…

If you plan to work while collecting Social Security benefits before reaching your Full Retirement Age (FRA), you need to understand the Social Security Earnings Test (officially called the Retirement Earnings Test).This rule allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to temporarily withhold a portion of your benefits if your earnings exceed a set annual limit. This surprise deduction often catches retirees off guard, significantly straining their budget and savings plans.Who does the earnings test affect? (Image credit: Getty Images)The earnings test applies to beneficiaries who are working and collecting Social Security retirement or survivor benefits and have not yet reached…

Key Takeaways Etsy shares fell Wednesday as the online marketplace announced CEO Josh Silverman plans to step down at the end of 2025, with President and Chief Growth Officer Kruti Patel Goyal set to take his place.Etsy reported quarterly earnings that topped analysts’ estimates, though its gross merchandise sales declined. Etsy (ETSY) shares dropped nearly 9% Wednesday afternoon as the online marketplace announced a shakeup in its leadership. The company said CEO Josh Silverman plans to step down at the end of the year, and will be replaced by President and Chief Growth Officer Kruti Patel Goyal, who will also…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate today by a quarter of a percentage point, as widely expected.Fed officials aim to boost the faltering job market as concerns over inflation take a back seat to fears that unemployment could rise. The Federal Reserve has once again cut its benchmark interest rate, aiming to breathe some life into the stagnating job market and prevent a surge in unemployment by lowering borrowing costs.The Fed’s policy committee voted to cut the fed funds rate by a quarter point to a range of 3.75% to 4% Wednesday, following up a cut…

Key Takeaways Vibe coding lets you build apps by telling AI what you want, all in plain English.Teens who get early practice coding with AI could be tomorrow’s tech leaders.Young creators are already using AI to make games and apps in school clubs and at home. Alexandr Wang, a 28-year-old billionaire who co-founded Scale AI and now serves as Meta’s Chief AI Officer, recently said that 13-year-olds should spend all of their time vibe coding. But what exactly is vibe coding and why is it suddenly everywhere, from TikTok to tech conferences? Here’s a primer on vibe coding, and why…

Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you’re looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Find out which banks have the best MMA rates today. The national average interest rate for money market accounts is just 0.59%, according to the FDIC.…

In-brief analysis October 29, 2025 Companies operating in Brazil have expanded the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification infrastructure since 2020, more than doubling its import capacity as the country seeks to diversify its energy supply and enhance energy security. Brazil’s regasification capacity grew from 2.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2020 to 5.1 Bcf/d in August 2025. In 2024, three new terminals added an estimated 1.74 Bcf/d of capacity: New Fortress Energy’s Barcarena Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) with a capacity of 0.75 Bcf/d, Terminal Gás Sul FSRU (0.50 Bcf/d), and…

An image from “KPop Demon Hunters,” a Korean-inspired film that is the most-watched original offering in Netflix history. I tried to watch it, twice, and failed. Possibly I am “too old.” By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Long-time readers know when I use a headline that starts with “My schedule” it means I will be traveling to distant places. And that is true again, starting Friday morning when I will be off to Seoul, South Korea, and then Japan. Friday morning! This is the time when the I Bond’s new fixed and composite rates will be announced. That’s a big event for…

A ‘For Sale’ sign is posted beside property for sale in Alhambra, California.Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty ImagesMortgage interest rates dropped for the fourth straight week last week, spurring both current homeowners and potential homebuyers to call their lenders. Total mortgage application volume increased 7.1% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, decreased to 6.30% from 6.37%, with points falling to 0.58 from 0.59, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20% down payment. That…

Will There Be Dissents? 18 minutes ago Because of the pull on both sides of the Fed’s dual mandate, not all members of the committee seem to agree on the path ahead. It’s very likely that one Fed official will want to cut rates more aggressively: Fed Governor Stephen Miran. He was previously a top White House economist and has aligned with President Donald Trump’s position that aggressive cuts are necessary. Miran, in his first meeting, voted against September’s 25 basis point rate cut, arguing it should have been double that amount. He’s signaled he will do so again. “My…