Author: Money Mechanics

If you have an individual retirement account (IRA), you may have considered converting it into a Roth account at some point. But you might not know the best time to do a conversion, or even if doing so would benefit you.The immediate tax trade-off from an IRA to a Roth is relatively clear: With a traditional retirement account, you pay taxes when you take a distribution; with a Roth, you pay taxes now on the funds you contribute.Converting to a Roth means you must pay the income tax on contributions in the year of conversion. Still, the potential tax benefits…

Research finds that younger workers today show job retention patterns that closely mirror previous generations at the same stage of their careers.Getty ImagesFor years, it has been conventional wisdom that Millennials and Generation Z are chronic job-hoppers, switching employers more often than previous generations. This belief has shaped recent conversations about hiring, retention, and employee benefits policy.But a close look at decades of workforce data tells a very different story. Younger workers today are not unusually restless. Rather, their patterns closely resemble those of earlier generations when they were the same age.The Data Tell a Consistent StoryA recent analysis from…

Key Takeaways Wall Street analysts were encouraged by Nvidia’s earnings report, with many saying the strong results would likely relieve some of the recent pressure on AI stocks.Nvidia’s earnings illustrated that demand for AI infrastructure remains exceptionally strong, which some argue will support AI stocks.Skeptics argued that Nvidia’s growth is itself evidence of a growing AI bubble. A lot hinged on Nvidia’s (NVDA) earnings report, and the AI chip giant didn’t disappoint.  “These results and commentary should help steady the ship for the AI trade into the end of the year,” wrote Jefferies analysts in a note on Thursday.  The…

Thanksgiving 2025 is just around the corner (November 27) with some good news for some who celebrate. After years of surging food prices, the classic holiday feast — at least on paper — costs a little less this year.The latest American Farm Bureau Federation survey puts the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for ten people at $55.18. That’s down about 5% from 2024.But as anyone wandering the grocery aisles can tell you, the dip in prices hasn’t solved the challenges of local taxes, inflation on side dishes, or the hunt for a meal deal that matches last year’s value.​ Here’s…

Key Takeaways Hedge fund legend Ray Dalio says “there’s definitely a bubble in markets” these days. Though the existence of a bubble doesn’t mean one should sell, he said, “be sure you’re protected.” Thought the market-bubble talk was over after Nvidia’s latest earnings? Nobody told Ray Dalio. “There’s definitely a bubble in markets,” said Ray Dalio, founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, in an interview with CNBC Thursday morning. “But we don’t have the pricking of the bubble yet.” Investors may be listening. Major stock market indexes were recently in the red, losing ground gained after Nvidia’s (NVDA) results seemed…

The coming 2026 changes to IRAs and 401(k)s offer new opportunities to save more for retirement, but you need to understand the new rules. This means keeping track of changes like higher contribution limits and updated requirements for withdrawing money from your accounts.So, what’s on deck for 2026? The major changes coming to retirement plans and accounts in 2026 are primarily driven by the SECURE 2.0 Act and the annual inflation adjustments. The most significant change to be aware of involves catch-up contributions for high earners.1. Catch-up 401(k) contributions for higher earners over 50 must be made to a Roth…

Find out which banks are offering the best MMA rates right now. As interest rates continue to fall following the Fed’s recent rate cuts, it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re earning a competitive rate on your savings. One option you may want to consider is a money market account (MMA). Wondering where the top money market account rates can be found today? Here’s what you need to know. From a historical perspective, money market account interest rates have been quite high. The national average interest rate for money market accounts is just 0.59%, according to the FDIC, but…

futures have completed a textbook VC PMI mean-reversion cycle and are now entering the December acceleration window marked by the synchronization of the 30-, 60-, and 90-day cycles. After the hyperbolic blow-off to 4,250 in mid-November, the market rotated sharply down into the Buy 1 and Buy 2 weekly levels, printing a capitulation low near 3,997. This flush represents a structural reset rather than a trend failure, and the chart’s multi-layered geometry confirms that the long-term uptrend remains intact. The VC PMI Daily and Weekly levels are now tightly aligned: the Daily Mean at 4,082 and Weekly Mean at 4,116…

The U.S. economy added substantially more jobs than expected in September, according to a long-awaited report Thursday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Nonfarm payrolls increased by 119,000 in the month, up from the 4,000 jobs lost in August following a downward revision. The Dow Jones consensus estimate for September was 50,000. The July total also was revised down to 72,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the prior release.In addition to the headline jobs number, the BLS said the unemployment rate edged higher to 4.4%, the highest it’s been since October 2021. A broader measure that includes those not looking for…

All-in-one (AIO) computers combine performance and speed in a space-saving design, integrating components into a single monitor. These machines are ideal for households wanting a clean setup without sacrificing basic functionality. The best laptop can offer a similar experience, but I still recommend AIOs for their larger screens and often powerful audio systems.However, AIO computers typically offer more modest hardware than traditional computers. These devices have limited upgrade options, reduced repairability, and can be quite expensive. Even the cheapest option will still cost several hundred dollars, so choosing the right one up front is key. Should you get the HP…