Education
The College Degree- When we hear the term “valuable commodity” we might think about oil or gold. Yes, these are undoubtedly commodities (though their value has fluctuated over time), but many other less concrete objects are also considered commodities in our society today. A commodity is defined as “A raw material or primary agricultural product that can [...]
By Doug Hornig and Alex Daley, Casey Research In the world of finance, there is always talk of bubbles – mortgage bubbles, tech stock bubbles, junk bond bubbles. But bubbles don’t develop only in financial markets. In recent years, there’s been another one quietly inflating, not capturing the attention of most observers. It’s an education [...]
When people go the the grocery store and see ever higher prices they know how inflation affects them. But when they are feeling more philosophical they might reason that if all wages and prices increased at the same rate it would all balance out in the end right? Well theoretically yes but in reality it [...]
Recently a subscriber asked me the question above, he gave quite correct arguments about how the stock market is “a zero sum game” in other words for every buyer there is a seller, so overall everything should stay in balance. But as I’m sure you know there are at least 3 ways to measure money [...]
In today’s tumultuous economic climate, when we hear the term “inflation” we think money and a failing economy our minds immediately turn to expenses, debt, and money woes. Rarely, however, do our minds turn to college degrees and job prospects. On July 22, 2011 Laura Pappano from The New York Times published an article titled [...]
Every year the College Board surveys 3,500 colleges across the country to determine college cost increases and trends. Then in October it releases its “Trends in College Pricing” report. Here are highlights from its latest report: In-State tuition up 7.9% Out-of State Tuition up 6% Private Universtity Tuition up 4.5%
Many people are confused by the difference between Inflation and the Consumer Price Index. The Consumer Price Index is as its name implies an index, or “a number used to measure change”. The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) The government chose an arbitrary date to be the base year and set that equal to 100. Currently [...]
I frequently receive this question in one form or another. Why doesn’t the government consider food and energy, and just tracks ‘core’ inflation? The “Core” inflation rate is frequently quoted in the popular press and this gives the general public the impression that the “government” doesn’t care about (or track) the rise in the [...]
I recently received the following question: Please explain to me how my cost of living can increase by 10-15 percent, grocery bills, fuel, energy, clothing, etc. yet my income only increases about 2-3% which typically matches inflation. I have talked to many people about this and a lot of folks feel the same way, how [...]
I recently received a great question from a 6th Grader on Inflation, Gas Prices and the environment all rolled into one. It isn’t often that 6th graders think about these issues so I would like to share my response with you… To whom it may concern, My name is Sam and I am a 6th [...]
