Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Economists said there’s no turnaround in sight for a housing market that’s short on properties and long on costs.Housing starts rose in July, but building permits were lower. This indicates that builders will likely be unable to sustain their momentum in the coming months.Home sales in July were the slowest in more than a decade, as homes stayed on the market an average of 43 days. Despite the slow pace of home sales, inventory dropped, as frustrated sellers pulled houses off the market amid affordability pressures for buyers. Homebuilders were busier in July, but are still having trouble selling…

Key Takeaways Loan availability can reduce the psychological barrier to joining a 401(k), especially for first-time savers.Costs are often lower than credit cards or personal loans, but lost investment growth can be significant.Among the risks, leaving a job can force immediate repayment, risking taxes and penalties if you can’t pay back the balance. Many retirement experts warn against borrowing from your 401(k), but for some workers—especially lower-income or first-time savers—the option to take a loan can make all the difference in paying off high-interest debt or whether they join a retirement plan at all. According to Vanguard, 80% of the…

Good afternoon and thank you to the organizers of the 2025 Wyoming Blockchain Symposium for inviting me to speak to you today.1 It is an honor to be included in this year’s event, which is being held at a critical moment for American leadership in the digital asset space. We are at the beginning of what appears to be a seismic shift in the way we think about money, value, and the fabric of our financial system. This shift is not just about incremental changes or tweaks to the existing system. What we are witnessing has the potential to fundamentally…

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, and Donald Trump, America’s president, do not share many similarities. Nehru was an erudite product of Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge; Donald Trump, for all his expensive education, is ultimately a rough-and-tumble graduate of New York real estate. A freedom fighter before becoming prime minister, Nehru spent nine years in British-run jails having campaigned against imperial rule; Mr Trump’s tangles with the law have involved hush money for a porn star. Nevertheless, Nehru’s Fabian socialism—a patrician distrust of commerce mixed with an intellectual love of scientific progress—means his views on trade are, many…

In-brief analysis July 28, 2025 Crude oil production from onshore federal lands has increased in recent years as a result of significant growth in drilling activity and operations. According to data collected by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue, onshore crude oil production from federal lands reached 1.7 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024, a record high. Most of this growth was in New Mexico from crude oil produced from federal lands in the Permian Basin. Increases in crude oil production from federal lands in New Mexico are attributable…

U.S. home prices fell 0.1% in July, the third month-over-month decline in the past three months. On a year-over-year basis, home prices rose 2.9%, the lowest annual rate in Redfin’s records going back to 2012. A record 39 of the top 50 U.S. metros saw month-over-month price declines. U.S. home prices nudged 0.1% lower in July on a seasonally adjusted basis—the third consecutive month that prices posted a monthly decline.  On a year-over-year basis, price growth slowed to 2.9%, the lowest rate recorded in Redfin Home Price Index (RHPI) data going back to 2012. This is according to the Redfin…

Palantir (PLTR) shares tumbled Tuesday afternoon, extending recent losses as a high-profile short seller fueled worries the stock could be overvalued after a strong run earlier this year.  The shares were down 9% around $158 in recent trading. Still, they’ve more than doubled in value in 2025, leaving Palantir the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 for the year so far as demand for the data analytics software company’s Artificial Intelligence Platform drives record sales. Short seller Andrew Left of Citron Research, who voiced concerns about the stock’s valuation in a Fox Business interview last Wednesday, said in a report…

For many high-net-worth families, financial stress doesn’t come from a lack of wealth — it comes from not being able to access it when needed.Executives with concentrated stock positions, business owners between liquidity events and professionals with most of their assets in retirement accounts often find themselves “asset-rich but cash-poor.”Even with a multimillion-dollar net worth, they might feel financially constrained when navigating major expenses, unpredictable markets or significant life changes. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice…

Eventually, you become tired of the incremental price hikes cell phone providers assess. That’s why it pays to shop around.Recently, I made the switch from Verizon to T-Mobile. And since making the switch, I’ve saved around $40 per month. If you’re looking to save on your cell phone plan, you’re not alone. The average phone bill in the US is $157, according to WhistleOut.Here’s one T-Mobile deal for seniors I found offering plenty of cost-saving perks. I’ll break down what you have to do to obtain these deals so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you. Subscribe…

In early May 2025, Warren Buffett announced his plan to retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), the struggling textile company he took over in 1965 and transformed into a sprawling conglomerate (189 subsidiaries) and a legendary investment vehicle (stock in 40 companies worth nearly $280 billion in the first quarter, according to CNBC, plus some $348 billion in cash).Come year-end, Buffett, who turns 95 in August, hands the reins to Greg Abel, 63, who joined Berkshire in 1999 when it acquired a controlling interest in MidAmerican Energy, an Iowa utility.Buffett isn’t disappearing. He’ll remain chairman of the board, and…