Author: Money Mechanics

Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series about financial and/or estate planning issues that we all should know but might be too embarrassed to ask about. First up: life insurance trusts.As a lifelong baseball fan, I have always appreciated knowing that certain players — Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken and Joe DiMaggio, for example — held some amazing records.But as the years have gone on, and more baseball data points get thrown around with new names, I often find myself nodding along without really knowing what all of the new sabermetrics mean. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger…

Stock futures pointed higher following a down week, as investors were optimistic a deal was near to end the record U.S. government shutdown. Futures associated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, benchmark S&P 500, and blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average were up a respective 1.5%, 1%, and 0.4%. Last week, the Nasdaq fell 3%—its worst weekly performance since President Donald Trump shook markets with his “Liberation Day” tariffs in early April—while the S&P 500 lost 1.6% and the Dow declined 1.2%. Late Sunday, the Senate advanced a procedural measure to allow other votes today on an agreement to end the shutdown, now at 41 days. Eight…

For those of us who lived through the 2007 to 2008 global financial crisis, the lessons are indelibly imprinted in our minds.But it’s been more than a decade, and many of those who could best make use of those lessons weren’t in kindergarten yet. That’s why the resurgence of the “zero-down mortgage” is concerning.Zero-down mortgages have existed in various forms for years, but typically, you must be part of a specific group to qualify. 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 Free Newsletters Profit and…

When you rent a car, the company almost always offers supplemental coverage that costs extra. When you get to that stage of the booking process, you’re probably wondering if it would be irresponsible of you to decline to save a few bucks. The good news is that the answer is probably no. Most people can safely decline the added coverage.Technically, what rental car companies are offering you is usually not insurance, but a waiver. Basically, for a fee, you can waive responsibility for damage to the rental car while you have it. The benefit of this is that, if something…

This article is an on-site version of our Unhedged newsletter. Premium subscribers can sign up here to get the newsletter delivered every weekday. Standard subscribers can upgrade to Premium here, or explore all FT newslettersThis article is an on-site version of our Unhedged newsletter. Premium subscribers can sign up here to get the newsletter delivered every weekday. Standard subscribers can upgrade to Premium here, or explore all FT newslettersGood morning. The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index came out on Friday and the numbers were horrible. But as we have observed before, indices of sentiment have been sliding south for…

As with almost any new technology, AI promises exciting new applications, while also posing significant threats. From environmental damage to economic upheaval, we’re still untangling exactly what challenges we will face from AI.One of the most serious problems AI poses for job seekers is the potential elimination of entire classes of jobs, as well as a reduction in demand for many white-collar positions. The issue is so contentious that Congress introduced a bipartisan bill that would require companies to report jobs lost due to AI to the Department of Labor.The other way AI can mess with your job search? AI…

Key Takeaways Bill Gates’ financial habits show the power of saving, smart investing, and purposeful spending to stay resilient in uncertain times.Build emergency savings for financial stability and investments for long-term wealth.Spend intentionally to help eliminate debt and prevent lifestyle creep.Diversify your portfolio to manage global risks and uncertainty. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and chairman of The Gates Foundation, has shared lessons from his career that apply beyond business and philanthropy, including how to stay prepared for inevitable market downturns. His approach blends cautious preparation with long-term optimism, continuous learning, and thoughtful spending. Everyday investors can apply these same principles…

Zurich Insurance Group has appointed Megan Shao as chief claims officer for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with effect from 1 February 2026. Shao returns to Zurich after her tenure as head of claims, Asia at AXA XL. She has accumulated more than 17 years of experience in claims management, including previous experience as head of financial lines & casualty claims for Asia-Pacific at Zurich Insurance. In her new post, Shao will oversee claims operations across the APAC region. She is tasked with leading claims strategies and working closely with regional teams to support efficiency and customer service in all lines…

Catastrophe bond investment funds in the UCITS format have continued to deliver strong returns for their investors through October, with the average 2025 year-to-date return for these cat bond funds running at 8.88% by the end of that month, according to the latest data from the Plenum CAT Bond UCITS Fund Indices.Previously, the UCITS cat bond fund sector was running at an average return of 7.25% for the year to September 26th. Since, then UCITS cat bond funds have on average added 1.51% in returns through the period to October 31st, a very strong few weeks of performance for the…

An analysis of domestic migration data shows high-flood-risk counties lost nearly 30,000 more residents than they gained last year, driven largely by outflows from Miami and Houston. Some are leaving due to climate risk, while others are moving out in search of a lower cost of living or different politics. Redfin agents say many are “boomerang” migrants—people who moved to flood-prone America during the pandemic and then decided to return home. While domestic migration to flood-prone areas has slowed, many of these areas are still experiencing population growth due to immigration. But that could change as the government cracks down…