Author: Money Mechanics

I don’t know what I was expecting when I went to my first Rotary Club meeting, but it’s not what I found.I suppose I’d deemed such groups as ineffectual, outdated, self-serving, and salesy. But when a friend invited me—a longtime Rotary veteran at the Roswell, Georgia Club who didn’t seem to exemplify any of those characteristics—I decided to give it a shot.My first impression wasn’t necessarily bolstered as I parked my car outside of the municipal gymnasium, but as I opened the door, I was greeted by a buzz of positivity. The proceedings were, indeed, held in a space that…

Question: I’m 64, retired, and want to invest $400,000 of my $2.4 million portfolio in a winery I’d co-own with a few partners. Am I crazy?Answer: Many people look forward to retiring because it typically means a break from the daily grind of work. But there’s a downside to not working — having too much free time. If you’re starting to feel restless in retirement, you may be interested in starting a business — not necessarily for the money, but to have something meaningful to do with your time. And let’s be honest: Being a vintner sounds like a lot…

It may be better to give than to receive, but that doesn’t make picking out holiday presents for your family and friends any easier. Even with all the festive cheer that the season brings, it can be stressful to shop for the perfect gift for everyone on your list if you’re worried the folks you hold near and dear won’t be delighted by what they find under the tree.With gift givers spending more than ever, that pressure is mounting. In 2024, U.S. consumers dropped a record $994 billion on holiday shopping, according to the National Retail Federation, and projections by…

Key Takeaways Ford (F) CEO Jim Farley warned earlier this year that AI could leave many white-collar workers behind and urged a renewed focus on trade skills. Recent research from Microsoft (MSFT) suggests that manual labor jobs like roofers and tire builders are among the least likely to be replaced by AI. Despite a declining percentage of people saying college is “very important,” households with a college degree still earn significantly more than those without one. For the past year, CEOs and founders have sounded the alarm, warning that AI could result in job loss and dramatically change the workforce.…

Key Takeaways Foreign investors poured more than $300 billion into U.S. assets in August and September, easing fears of a global Treasury selloff.The steady demand helps keep borrowing costs lower for American households, despite trade tensions and discussions about de-dollarization. If there were any lingering thoughts that foreign investors are dumping U.S. Treasury securities—and threatening to raise interest rates for American households—the latest data from the federal government put it to rest.  New data from the Treasury Department showed continued appetite among foreign investors for U.S. securities, including the bonds that the Treasury issues to finance deficits. Net capital inflows…

If you’re a book lover, we have a few book-inspired trips that can help jumpstart your next vacation. Grab a few friends or take your family on an educational journey that ties together authors and books with real locations and landmarks.Adding a personal element to a trip like this can help make it more memorable and might even give you a good excuse to visit certain destinations.So, here are five trips for book lovers to take across America. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s…

Key Takeaways The average 401(k) balance for people in their 60s was $568,040 in June 2025. The median amount saved was much lower, at $188,792. How much you need to have saved for retirement will depend on your lifestyle and annual spending expectations. One rule of thumb is to save eight times your annual preretirement income by age 60. You can boost your savings by downsizing now instead of in retirement, taking advantage of higher catch-up contributions in your 60s, and reallocating assets to prioritize growth. When you hit your 60s and retirement is right around the corner, you might…

Key Takeaways Baby boomers are set to pass on approximately $84 trillion in wealth to heirs by 2045, greatly impacting personal finances and the economy.Wills, trusts, and annual gift strategies can help families minimize taxes and preserve the most wealth.Understanding rules like the step-up in basis and having open family conversations will help the process run better and smarter. The United States is on the precipice of the largest wealth transfer in history; approximately $84 trillion will pass from one generation to the next by 2045. It’s expected to have a massive impact on inheritors, older loved ones who need…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Oil & Gas industry myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.The world’s biggest energy companies are returning to Libya as they hunt for new oil and gas reserves, nearly 15 years after the overthrow of Muammer Gaddafi pitched the country into political chaos that continues to this day. A delegation from the Tripoli-based Libyan government has been visiting Washington this week to drum up interest in the country’s first auction of oil exploration licences for 18 years.Oil majors Shell, Chevron, TotalEnergies, Eni and Repsol are all pre-qualified to bid in the…

Over the last year the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has benefited from strong execution in the catastrophe bond market to lower both its reinsurance attachment point and costs associated with risk transfer.With now three catastrophe bonds sponsored so far in 2025, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has steadily increased the capital markets share of its overall reinsurance tower arrangements. While price execution in the cat bond market, thanks to what are now dramatically reduced spreads over its cat bonds issued through the last year, have assisted. Notably, it is also cat bonds that have helped the earthquake insurer shave $400…