Author: Money Mechanics

Apple / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysMacOS Spotlight now allows you to do much more.You can quickly send emails and messages without opening the apps.This feature is built in and free to use.So far, I think the MacOS Tahoe upgrade is hands down the best update from Apple that I can remember. It’s so good, it’s even changed my mind about using widgets. Not only is the Liquid Glass UI supremely elegant, but the Spotlight tool is finally up to the task of modern usage.Case in point, the ability to send…

Key Takeaways This fall, 8.2 million New York state residents are set to receive one-time inflation refund checks ranging from $150 to $400, depending on filing status and income. Eligibility is based on 2023 income, residency status, and whether you were claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. Checks will be automatically mailed to the address listed on recipients’ most recent New York State tax return, so those who are eligible won’t have to take any action. If you were a New York state resident in 2023, you may be eligible to receive an inflation refund check this…

(Oil Price) – Some traders are betting that Europe’s natural gas prices would surge by 60% from current levels by next summer, amid many uncertainties on the market months from now. Options were traded on Monday at calls of $59 (50 euros) per megawatt-hour for April to September 2026, data compiled by Bloomberg showed on Tuesday. Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europe’s gas trading, have traded at around $37.75 (32 euros) per MWh in recent weeks, with the forward price for the summer 2026 at around $36.57 (31 euros) per MWh. The options traded on Monday suggest that some traders…

Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / PlayerFM  The stock market rally has added $16 Trillion in market capitalization so far this year, and momentum is still in the drivers’ seat. What, if anything, can slow the rally down? Legendary tech investor Dan Niles breaks down the bull between the horns but warns of a fowl Thanksgiving surprise. Plus, investors are hoping for more rate cuts than the Fed is planning on, at least for now… Why this mismatch could lead to unfulfilled expectations. And stock buybacks are making a comeback. Which companies eat their home cooking more than others? On this week’s Express Podcast,…

key takeaways Conventional mortgages work well for traditional homes but rarely for tiny homes. Classification as real property vs. personal property determines loan eligibility. Alternative options for tiny homes include personal, recreational vehicle (RV), chattel loans, and manufacturer-backed financing. Tiny homes may cost less upfront but often come with higher financing rates and shorter terms. The right choice depends on lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Whether you’re a minimalist looking to downsize or are simply someone who wants a more affordable housing option, buying a tiny home might be an option worth considering. However, when it comes to financing a…

Key Takeaways Montana has the biggest affordability gap between actual household income and the recommended household income needed to afford the median home price. The median home price in July was nearly $650,000, while the median household income was $72,066, nearly $100,000 less than the minimum recommended income needed to afford that home. Pandemic-driven demand from out-of-state buyers and chronically low housing stock have driven up home prices across the state. Although coastal states (think California and New York) are often touted for their lack of affordability, Montana—a Mountain West state known for its natural beauty and mountainous landscape—tops a…

Key Takeaways Financial experts reveal their recession playbook: diversify, turn market crashes into buying opportunities, and never stop investing when others panic if you have the means. Experts say the key to surviving economic downturns is planning ahead for them. With a diversified portfolio and healthier finances, you can avoid being forced to give up precious assets and also take advantage of lower valuations and tax savings. Economists are worried that rising prices, tariffs, and a cooling job market could tip the U.S. economy into a recession. Investment bank UBS was one of the latest to ring the alarm, warning…

Key Takeaways Rising college costs and student debt are pushing Gen Z to rethink traditional four-year degrees. Alternatives like apprenticeships, coding boot camps, and online certificates may offer faster, lower-cost paths to well-paying jobs. College can still pay off—but only if your major, debt, and graduation timeline align with solid career outcomes. For generations, the path was clear: high school, college, job, stability. But Generation Z is questioning that path. Sky-high tuition, heavy student debt, and the COVID-19 pandemic have shaken faith in college as a sure step to success. While 83% of Gen Z still values college as important,…

To help you understand the trends surrounding AI and other new technologies and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe.) You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…What are consumers doing with the most advanced artificial intelligence? Talking to chatbots, creating virtual characters and sprucing up photos, to name a few uses, according…

Key Takeaways Mountain America’s Youth Certificates can be opened by anyone from birth through age 27. Offering a rate boost over standard CDs, these pay more than the nation’s top rate in several terms. Unlike most CDs, these let you keep depositing over time, up to $10,000 a year—with every dollar earning the same guaranteed rate for the full term. You only need $5 to open one, and doing so now lets you lock in today’s high rate before it disappears. Anyone nationwide can join Mountain America for free, with just a $1 deposit in a member savings account. The…