Behavioral Economics

May 4, 2014
Disposable Income can be hand-to-mouth for households with illiquid wealth
Published by Elaine Schwartz at May 4, 2014
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Surprising Hand-To-Mouth Households

Close to one third of all households (38 million) in the US live hand-to-mouth. Like me, perhaps you have always assumed that a hand-to-mouth (HtM) household […]

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May 1, 2014
Resource allocation involves similar concepts whether personal, for business or a country.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at May 1, 2014
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How To Divide the Rent, a Cake and a Country

Assume for a moment that you have just rented a 4th floor walk-up apartment for $3000 with 2 friends. One bedroom is mid-sized and near a […]

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April 27, 2014
In Russia now, and 35 years ago in the US, stagflation is a tough problem.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 27, 2014
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When Did We Get “Tough Love” From the Federal Reserve?

Demonstrating Russia’s current plight, this graph so perfectly illustrates stagflation: When GDP sinks and inflation increases, the stagflation that results is tough to cure. If monetary […]

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April 25, 2014
A simple and efficient way to do income taxes
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 25, 2014
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The Reason For An Income Tax Default (Form)

In Denmark, the government automatically prepares people’s taxes. Because they already have the data they need, the tax authority calculates everyone’s income taxes and sends them […]

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April 20, 2014
everyday economics and the birth rate
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 20, 2014
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Which Countries Want You to Have a Baby?

It is a recipe for demographic disaster when you have too many old people and not enough babies. The problem is the size of the working […]

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April 14, 2014
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 14, 2014
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Gender Issues: What If We No Longer Said “He” and “She”?

Our Monday Gender Issue: In the February 10th issue of the New Yorker, I read “Pronoun Envy” by Anne Carson. Here is the beginning: Pronoun Envy […]

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April 11, 2014
Detroit Bankruptcy Requires Life Support
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 11, 2014
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Should Detroit Sell Its Art?

During 2009, a still life painted by Henri Matisse was sold at a Christie’s auction for $46 million. The Detroit Institute of Arts owns Poppies, also a […]

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April 10, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and economic growth and uncertainty
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 10, 2014
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Why Would the Nigerian GDP Double Overnight?

We might have to say BRINC rather than BRICS. As a developing nation with the highest GDP in Africa, South Africa has been the “S” in […]

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April 8, 2014
everyday economics and tax impact
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 8, 2014
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Unusual Ways to Achieve Deficit Reduction

Hoping to diminish their country’s deficit, last year, Malta’s President and Parliament decided to sell citizenship. The price tag is $891,000 and the perk is that […]

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April 7, 2014
gender pay gap
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 7, 2014
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Does It Matter That Men Boast?

Our Monday Gender Issue: Teaching at a girls’ school, I continually run into the problem of modesty. My women know the answers and yet go to […]

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April 1, 2014
Grade Incentives
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 1, 2014
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Should Kids Get Paid for Grades?

What happens when you combine a $100 student payment with a teacher bonus for high A.P. grades, better lab equipment, free tutoring, Saturday classes and extra […]

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