Author: Money Mechanics

The TSA has made a few overhauls this year that travelers love. You can keep your shoes on. The new TSA family lanes speeds up security for families and individuals alike. But the latest airport rule change is more annoying than exciting.On Thursday, the agency announced a new $18 fee for passengers going through security without a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative.There’s no word yet on when travelers will start seeing the new fee, but the TSA said it will begin collecting it after it formally announces its new “alternative identity verification program” designed specifically for passengers without a…

Key Takeaways After another declining week for stocks, savers are leaning on safer places for cash. Top high-yield savings and money market accounts still pay up to 5.00%, while the best CD pays 4.50%. Brokerage and robo-advisor cash accounts continue to offer attractive yields in the mid- to upper-3% range, while U.S. Treasuries pay up to 4.71% for investors seeking stability. See today’s best safe-haven rates—all in one chart—to find a safe spot for your cash as markets wobble and savers focus on steady returns. See Today’s Best Cash Yields—All in One Chart With markets unsettled again this week and…

KEY TAKEAWAYS About four in ten Social Security beneficiaries are still working, with the majority having a part-time job.Experts have said that Social Security benefits are not keeping pace with retirees’ rising expenses, leading many to cut their spending or return to work. While most Americans stop working and begin to live off their retirement savings and Social Security benefits—many still need to work to keep up with their expenses, a new report found. In 2022, approximately 40% of Social Security recipients worked at some point after claiming benefits, according to an analysis from the Center for Retirement Research at…

Thank you, Director Knotek, for the kind introduction. It is a pleasure to be with you today and to be back in Cleveland and the beautiful Fourth district.1 It is always a pleasure to visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland—and all the Reserve Banks. The hard work and dedication of Reserve Bank staff, leadership, and directors help ensure the economic well-being of communities across the country, including in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. One of the many important roles the Reserve Banks have is to be the connection between policymakers and families, workers, and businesses in every corner…

The correction in continued this week as global macro uncertainty and crypto-driven selling kept pressure on the market. The drop picked up pace after the price slipped under the 100,000 mark and lost support at 99,600. That move pushed Bitcoin quickly below the Fib 0.618 level on the chart. The current setup points toward the 83,500 to 85,000 zone as a stronger target. This comes from the completion of the head and shoulders pattern and the break of key Fibonacci levels.Macro Front: Fed Uncertainty and Declining Risk Appetite Pressures BitcoinBitcoin has stayed under pressure in recent weeks because expectations for…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. November 21, 2025 Federal Reserve announces College Fed Challenge winners For release at 4:00 p.m. EST Pace University won the 22nd Annual National College Fed Challenge. Pace University won the 22nd annual national College Fed Challenge on Friday, a team competition that encourages undergraduate students to learn about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary…

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.Bill Clark | Getty ImagesThe Bureau of Labor Statistics said it was canceling the release of the October consumer price index, leaving the Federal Reserve without a key piece of inflation data to ponder when it next decides on interest rates on Dec. 10.The CPI data, previously scheduled to be released on Nov. 7, was canceled because the government shutdown made it impossible for the BLS to “retroactively collect” certain parts of survey data, the agency…

A new wave of AI-powered gadgets on the market aims to integrate artificial intelligence into our daily lives like never before. Some of these AI wearables — including necklaces, rings, and wristbands, as well as portable devices — serve as productivity tools, while others claim to act as friendly companions listening to your everyday thoughts. Even OpenAI is working on a compact AI companion device. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most notable devices currently available. Bee Image Credits:Bee AI Bee is an affordable pendant priced at $49.99 that can either be clipped to your clothing or worn like a…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Social Security program is expected to run out of funds by 2034, which could result in a reduction of benefits by nearly 20%.Placing a cap on the cost-of-living adjustments for those with higher benefit amounts could save the program $115 billion or more over a decade and keep it funded for a longer period. One idea to resolve the Social Security funding gap would affect the highest earners by capping the annual increase in benefits received. The Social Security program is expected to deplete its main trust fund in approximately eight years. A new report from the…

Key Takeaways Tech stocks slumped this week as investors’ skepticism about the AI rally overpowered another strong earnings report from Nvidia, though many experts are optimistic that earnings growth will bring investors back. Federal Reserve officials, meanwhile, are deeply divided about what to do at their policy meeting next month, adding uncertainty to an already anxious market. The stock market is in limbo. It could be there for a while. After weeks of softness in tech stocks, bulls were hoping a blowout earnings report from Nvidia (NVDA) would revive the faltering AI trade. They got strong earnings—but not the payout.…