Economic History

October 14, 2014
Everyday economics of LED bulbs
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 14, 2014
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The Unexpected Consequences of More Efficient Lighting

Like 19th century English coal, more efficient and cheap LED lights can mean people and businesses use it more because of the lower opportunity cost.

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October 12, 2014
Everyday economics and human capital formation
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 12, 2014
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When Does Practice Really Matter?

Since education creates positive externalities that fuel economic growth, understanding how to develop expertise through human capital formation is crucial.

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October 2, 2014
The banks and insurance companies are financial intermediaries that avoid legal marijuana business.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 2, 2014
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Marijuana Money Problems

Colorado's marijuana growers and dealers are wasting resources because banks and insurance companies will not act as their financial intermediaries.

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September 28, 2014
Everyday economics for government pension plan
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 28, 2014
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When You Can Expect to Be Most Creative

Knowing about how and when creative people achieve optimal productivity is important because of the connection between human capital and economic growth.

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September 24, 2014
Everyday Economics of the iPhone 6 supply chain
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 24, 2014
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What Do iPhones and Pencils Have in Common?

Whether looking at the supply chain for a pencil or an iPhone 6, we see globalization because price system incentives create cooperation.

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September 14, 2014
It would be beneficial for households and national economic growth if the U.S. saving rate were raised.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 14, 2014
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The Nudge Toward a Goldilocks Savings Rate

We need to raise the low U.S. savings rate with new incentives like a lottery on savings deposits because households and business investment need savings.

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August 28, 2014
Starbucks tall latte index
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 28, 2014
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The Path of the Shifting Center of Global Economic Power

Led by Chinese economic growth and other emerging markets, the center of economic gravity is moving eastward from the developed world to Asia.

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August 27, 2014
Everyday Economics: With opportunity cost, planners can decide how much natural disaster preparation is worth the tradeoff.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 27, 2014
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The Costs of Being Prepared for a Natural Disaster

Whereas natural disaster preparation can save lives, it might have too high an opportunity cost to make sense or be a ShakeAlert that has been proven.

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August 15, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and measuring happiness
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 15, 2014
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How Music Can Empower You

Like athletes use music before competing, so too can we energize our human capital at work with music that empowers us physiologically and psychologically.

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August 12, 2014
Everyday Economics: The Contents of Refrigerators, Supply and Demand, and Global Markets
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 12, 2014
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What Refrigerators Can Tell Us About Global Markets

In refrigerators in developing nations, we can see the impact of affluence on their diet and on supply and demand that will change worldwide food prices.

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August 11, 2014
weekly economic roundup and pension income systems
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 11, 2014
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Will You Get Your Social Security Benefits?

The 2014 Social Security Trustees Report says that after we deplete the remains of the program's trust funds in 2033, payroll taxes will not provide all promised benefits.

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