Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Tiny homes can be affordable, but costs for land, utilities, delivery, and setup can add up quickly.Zoning rules, limited financing options, and hidden expenses make careful planning essential before buying. With just 100 to 400 square feet of space, tiny homes may seem like a small-size, small-price solution compared to the typical 2,100-square-foot house. But without planning for land, financing, utilities, and setup, the costs can add up fast. Why This Matters Tiny homes may seem like a low-cost path to homeownership, but hidden expenses and legal hurdles can turn a budget-friendly dream into an unexpected financial burden.…

Stock futures pointed mostly higher Thursday, led by chipmaker shares, as investors continue to shake off the U.S. government shutdown. Futures associated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq and benchmark S&P 500 were up 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively, while those affiliated with the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.1%. The three major indexes all ended higher for a fourth straight session Wednesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 closing at records. The government shutdown that began Wednesday will delay the release of economic data, including Friday’s key jobs report. The lack of data complicates decision-making for Federal Reserve officials, who meet later in the month to…

For Americans considering a long-term move abroad, cross-border financial planning is a necessary step.Tax status, account access and reporting rules change with residency, leaving U.S. citizens facing complex reporting requirements even once they’re established.Early deliberate planning prevents missteps that can be expensive and time-consuming to correct. 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 prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert…

Amazon Prime Big Deals Days return on October 7 and 8, offering discounts of up to 40% on some of the retailer’s most popular products. Kicking off the holiday shopping season, Prime Day gives members an early chance to check items off their shopping lists and snag limited-time bargains.Finding the best deals on the items you want and need can be a challenge with these massive shopping events, but AI tools like Amazon Rufus and Amazon Lens can help you shop wisely during Big Deals Days.Be careful, though – while these tools can be helpful, you’ll need to resist the…

Autumn is here with falling leaves, football and October baseball. Turning our attention to the third quarter’s market, post-April’s recovery, there were heavy headlines, from tariff talks to jobs revisions, but market volatility stayed subdued overall.For investors eyeing retirement and portfolios, here’s what unfolded and what it means going forward.S&P 500’s steady climbQ3 further extended Q2’s rebound, with the S&P 500 up 8% to just under 6,700, surpassing February’s peak. Fed rate cuts and strong earnings fueled five straight positive months, a bullish turn after Q2’s topping flirtation, and holding well above the 200-day moving average. From just $107.88 $24.99…

Key Takeaways The government shut down on Wednesday after Congressional Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a funding package.Historically, government shutdowns have had little impact on the stock market, with the S&P 500 actually rising during every shutdown since 1990. This shutdown could be unusually hazardous, with the White House threatening mass firings and vital economic data being delayed. The federal government just shut down for the first time in six years, and the stock market—characteristically—took it in stride. But could that change? The benchmark S&P 500 was up 0.3% on Wednesday afternoon. (Follow Investopedia’s live markets coverage here.) The…

Occupational Group Uninsured Rate Rate Compared to Nonworker*  Farming, fishing, and forestry 29.4% 2 times higher Construction and extraction 27.8% 1.9 times higher Food preparation and serving 22% 1.5 times higher Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 21.9% 1.5 times higher *The Census broadly defines nonworkers as all people aged 16 and over who don’t have or don’t want a paying job. This group can include students, homemakers, retired workers, and seasonal workers who are not currently seeking employment. “Having a job doesn’t guarantee coverage anymore,” said Neal K. Shah, CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies and chairman of Counterforce Health,…

Key Takeaways Stock market returns through the rest of the year are likely to be strongly influenced by the infrastructure spending, cloud computing deals, and positive sentiment lifting AI and tech stocks.Some experts warn an increasingly “circular” AI ecosystem—in which companies invest in their own customers—could be vulnerable to a shift in the business environment. Sentiment around AI, and the possibility that the nascent technology may disappoint investors, remains a key risk to AI stocks. The U.S. stock market entered the final quarter of the year near record highs, boosted by soaring AI stocks that have become increasingly critical for…

TotalEnergies is slashing annual capex by $1B for four years, while Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and shale majors are cutting jobs and investment. U.S. shale drilling is slowing, OPEC+ is underdelivering on promised output hikes, and demand remains resilient. Oil and gas will remain critical for oil majors despite jitters over reduced buybacks and dividends. TotalEnergies (NYSE:) said this week it would cut its capital spending by $1 billion annually over the next four years. Chevron (NYSE:) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:) are cutting jobs—as are many others in the industry. Shale majors are cutting spending, as well. It is not looking good for…

The median sale price of starter homes hit a record $260,508 in August, up 2.2% from a year earlier. Starter-home sales grew 3.8% year over year, rising for the 12th consecutive month to the highest August level in three years. In comparison, sales of mid- and high-price homes fell 0.6% and 1.2% respectively.  Providence, RI recorded a 25% spike in starter-home sales, leading all major metros. San Antonio recorded the biggest drop (-10%). The typical U.S. starter home sold for a record $260,508 in August, rising 2.2% from a year earlier as sales continued to outpace that of higher-priced tiers.…