Author: Money Mechanics

It’s a common headline: a billionaire public petitions for higher taxes on the ultra-rich. Yet, you rarely see those same individuals cutting voluntary checks to the U.S. Treasury.That’s because the American tax system isn’t built for donations, but rather for taxable income, deductions, and incentives. So, even if a high-net-worth person sent money to the federal government, that extra cash would simply go toward the nation’s $39 trillion national debt — without changing the donor’s tax liability.This disconnect is key since it helps explain a broader frustration with the IRS tax code. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance…

With gas prices climbing amid tensions in the Middle East (averaging $4.50 a gallon according to AAA, up more than 50% since the start of the war with Iran), President Donald Trump says he wants to suspend the federal gas tax “for a period of time” to help drivers.But some economists say the policy would likely have only a limited effect, since gasoline prices are driven mainly by global oil markets rather than federal taxes.What’s a driver to do as we head toward the Memorial Day holiday? Read on. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter,…

Amazon Ring, facing a surge in customer-support calls during last year’s holiday season, evaluated more than 40 AI voice vendors before choosing startup Vapi to handle its inbound phone traffic. Today, Ring routes 100% of its inbound calls through Vapi’s platform. That deployment helped Vapi raise a $50 million Series B led by Peak XV Partners at a valuation of around $500 million after investment, according to a person familiar with the matter. Ring turned to Vapi in mid-Q4 last year, when it was weighing whether to expand call-center capacity, rely more heavily on traditional automated phone systems, or deploy…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For founders and C-suite leaders in private companies, employee stock options awarded as part of bonuses or overall compensation packages can be both a powerful wealth-building tool and a complex financial puzzle.Now is an excellent time to think about when and how to exercise your options — especially if you receive any during bonus season.Understanding the fundamentals and applying a disciplined approach can transform your stock options into a tool for long-term wealth creation while aligning your growth with the growth of your company. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Under what circumstances should university students be allowed to take their final exams before the scheduled date or after? Could a professor who denies a request get into trouble if a student complains?”Ada” teaches history at a major West Coast university. She phoned our office, worried that two of her students in an online course were going to file a grievance against her.”Mr. Beaver, I have read you in Kiplinger for years and need your help. My syllabus lists all exam dates and times, along with my policy on rescheduling an exam, which is the same as…

(Image credit: Getty Images)We’re often told about the importance of seeking financial advice, but what isn’t talked about as much is how to prepare for your first meeting with an adviser.What information should you have on hand?What questions do you ask?And how can you determine if an adviser is the right fit for you?Understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make the process much easier.Prepare basic paperworkBefore heading into the first meeting, do some preparation on your own. Knowing what documents to bring depends on your specific situation, but financial statements and recent tax returns are a great…

Find out which banks are offering the top rates. Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you’re looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Where are the best money market interest rates today? Even though rates have been falling over the…

The legacy and run-off market is evolving to trade much more like the live market, according to speakers at the Insurance & Reinsurance Legacy Association (IRLA) annual Congress event held in Brighton today, while the opportunity to trade with and support ILS investor exit and liquidity needs is expected to continue, especially in casualty risks.At the IRLA congress media briefing today,  industry speakers highlighted the health of the legacy and retrospective reinsurance market, which continues to shift towards capital-light models. In addition, the ramping up of activity in the alternative capital provider and ILS space, to facilitate exit certainty for…

SINGAPORE – When U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping meet in Beijing on Thursday, they and their teams will seal outcomes on potentially a huge range of issues. The agenda spans trade, technology, rare earth export controls, Taiwan, the Iran war, and artificial intelligence. China’s decision to suspend exports of a wide range of rare earths and related magnets, and its ban on semiconductors from Nexperia China, upended supply chains central to global automakers, with political and economic consequences across Europe, Japan, and South Korea.”Virtually everyone has a stake in the outcome of this meeting,” said Chad Bown,…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – Colorado’s latest energy battle is quickly becoming about more than natural gas. What began as a proposed ballot measure to create a constitutional “right to natural gas” is now evolving into a broader debate over energy policy, consumer choice, electrification, affordability, and the pace of transition. At the center of the dispute is Initiative #177, a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish the right for Colorado consumers to purchase natural gas for heating and cooking, while also giving distributors and utilities the right to continue selling it. Supporters argue the measure is designed to…