Author: Money Mechanics

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s San Francisco event what it was — and to the 10,000 of you who filled the halls, made the connections, and left with more than you came with. Couldn’t make it? The images below offer a glimpse into what you missed. Until next year. Vinod Khosla, telling attendees he doesn’t buy the argument that powering AI will doom climate efforts. Geothermal energy is nearly here, he said, while fusion remains further out. He also touched on his alignment with President Donald Trump (deregulation) and his disagreement (immigration): “The only thing I will say…

Key Takeaways According to Empower, the average person in their 40s holds about half their portfolio in stocks, with the rest split between cash, alternative investments, and a small amount of bonds.In this age group, experts suggest you have about three times your current income saved for retirement and invest anywhere from 70% to 80% in stocks. Everyone wants their money to grow in value as much as possible, but our ideas on how to do that can differ considerably. The stakes are generally even higher when we hit our 40s. At that age, the average person has reached or…

(Oil Price)– TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE) reported third-quarter earnings essentially flat from a year earlier, as higher production, strong cash flows, and surging refining margins offset a 10% decline in oil prices. TotalEnergies said on Thursday that its adjusted net income stood at $4 billion for the third quarter, flat compared to $4.1 billion for the same period of 2024. The Q3 net income was higher than the second-quarter adjusted net income of $3.6 billion and was in line with analyst expectations. Last week, TotalEnergies said it expects its earnings and cash flow to have increased in the third quarter from a year earlier. While…

Key Takeaways Springfield ranks among the top U.S. retirement destinations, offering a mix of affordability, culture, and healthcare access. Retirees can enjoy diverse activities—from museums and live events to outdoor recreation. Massachusetts sate tax breaks for seniors and Springfield’s relatively low housing costs can help make retirement more budget-friendly. Springfield, Massachusetts, nestled in the western part of the state, is one of the largest cities in Massachusetts and New England.If you’re looking for a big city feel without a big city price tag in retirement, look no further. Springfield claims the number six spot on the 50 best places to…

Key Takeaways Unprofitable companies in the Russelll 2000 have outpaced profitable constituents in the index.Some investors think small-caps can keep rising, citing more affordable valuations and expectations of improved earnings growth. The froth in U.S. stock markets can be seen in small companies too. The Russell 2000 index has outperformed the S&P 500 since this year’s April troughs, hitting records this week thanks to bets that interest-rate cuts can keep them climbing. Those hopes have fueled optimism that small-caps—generally, those with market capitalizations between $250 million and $2 billion—will continue to climb. But under the hood of the index, some…

Most of our clients are who we call Midwestern Millionaires. They are hard workers and live a life of service. They have $1 million or more saved, pensions and a lifetime of discipline behind them, but they still struggle and feel guilty when it comes to spending their hard-earned money.They are often the best savers and sometimes the worst spenders. They worry if the vacation, home remodel or gift to the grandkids is somehow irresponsible. They are always looking to save money and concerned about running out.Sound familiar? If so, this article is for you. From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

Did you know that because of the government shutdown, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is not available to new customers or people who want to increase their coverage?On March 15, Congress extended the flood insurance funding through September 30. As we are now well past that date, the program has been frozen. So what does this mean?The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) covers between 4.7 million and 5 million properties across the United States. As of this writing, if you have a paid-in-full NFIP policy, then if you file a claim, you should have your claim covered. From just $107.88…

Varna, Bulgaria—one of the cities highlighted in a new report on the world’s most affordable places to live or retire for as little as $1,200 a month.getty Can you really live or retire overseas on just $1,200 a month? According to a new report from International Living, the answer is yes. The publication’s editors and contributors identified 14 destinations, from Europe to Southeast Asia, where couples can live comfortably on this modest budget. That includes not just rent and groceries, but also transportation, entertainment and indulgences like eating out. And it’s not about living small, it’s about living smart. “We’re…

Key Takeaways Apple is scheduled to report earnings after the closing bell Thursday.Wall Street analysts said they’ll be watching for potential upside from iPhone 17 demand, and comments around Apple’s 2026 plans. Apple (AAPL) is set to report its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings after the closing bell today, with Wall Street analysts looking for strong results on the top and bottom lines. After some signs of a strong start to early sales of the iPhone 17 lineup, bullish analysts at JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley recently told clients their expectations around Apple’s results have climbed, with that momentum likely to carry into an upbeat…

Key Takeaways Your goal, according to the “Me-First” rule, is that you have enough retirement income to cover your must-pay living expenses before you part with cash for discretionary spending.For this strategy, you only include guaranteed sources of income.The idea is that your total income will exceed that of your must-pay expenses, so you can use the extra money to invest or otherwise spend. Most people look forward to retirement, but having enough money to finance those years is a critical component of how pleasurable the time will be. Many retirement planning strategies can help ensure that your golden years…