Economy Feb 22 It Pays Off to Invest in Early Education, Says Nobel Economist Who Boosts Kids’ IQs One economist has found a powerful connection between a child's early education programs and his or her earnings, IQ and behavior later in life. Photo by Flickr user Sarah Gilbert. Paul Solman: James Heckman is one of the economists…
Economy Feb 22 It Pays to Invest in Early Education Says a Nobel Economist Who Boosts Kids’ IQ Paul Solman interviews economist James Heckman, who researches the value and effects of early childhood enrichment programs. One economist has found a powerful connection between a child's early education programs and his or her earnings, IQ and behavior…
Economy Feb 20 How to Find a Financial Advisor, Step by Step Paul Solman answers a Next Avenue reader's question about how to choose an advisor who puts your financial interests first. This little financial advisor would put anyone's books in the black. Find a better one using advice from…
Economy Feb 18 How to Maximize Social Security if Disabled and Other SS Questions Photo by Piotr Powietrzynski/Getty Images. *Larry Kotlikoff's [Social Security original 34 "secrets"](http://www.pbs.org/ newshour/businessdesk/2012/07/social-security-secrets-you-ne.html), his [**additional secrets**](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/08/on-the-qt-a-few-more- social-se.html), his Social Security ["mistakes"](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/08/11-social-security-mistakes-pe.html) and his [**Social Security gotchas**](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/09/ten-of-the-worst-social- security-gotchas.html) have prompted so many of you to write in that we now feature…
Economy Feb 15 Wouldn’t a Minimum Wage Hike Lower the Welfare Rolls? Paul Solman answers Next Avenue readers' questions about whether a minimum wage hike would induce people to leave welfare, and whether such a hike would increase the government's tax revenue. Protesters advocate for raising the minimum wage outside…
Economy Feb 14 Wouldn’t a Minimum Wage Hike Lower the Welfare Rolls? Paul Solman answers Next Avenue readers' questions about whether a minimum wage hike would induce people to leave welfare, and whether such a hike would increase the government's tax revenue. Protesters advocate for raising the minimum wage outside…
Economy Feb 14 The Man and the Thinking Behind the Minimum Wage Hike President Obama is pushing a controversial hike in the minimum wage. It is surely no coincidence that his chief economic advisor is Alan Krueger, an economist who became famous in the 1990s for research supporting minimum wage hikes.
Economy Feb 13 Obama Says We Must Never Default, But Would It Really Hurt Us If We Did? After defaulting on their debts in the 1840s, state governments, like Pennsylvania's, learned to disallow budget shortfalls. This is the lesson that we should learn from history and never repeat. Photo by Flickr user Brendan Lynch. Paul Solman: President Obama…
Economy Feb 13 Obama Says We Must Never Default, But Would It Really Hurt Us If We Did? After defaulting on their debts in the 1800s, state governments, like Pennsylvania's, learned to disallow budget shortfalls. This is the lesson that we should learn from history and never repeat. Photo by Flickr user Brendan Lynch. Paul Solman: President Obama…
Economy Feb 11 Ask Larry: What’s the Best Age to Take Spousal or Survivor Benefits? Photo by Flickr user GabeB. *Larry Kotlikoff's [Social Security original 34 "secrets"](http://www.pbs.org/ newshour/businessdesk/2012/07/social-security-secrets-you-ne.html), his [**additional secrets**](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/08/on-the-qt-a-few-more- social-se.html), his Social Security ["mistakes"](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/08/11-social-security-mistakes-pe.html) and his [**Social Security gotchas**](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2012/09/ten-of-the-worst-social- security-gotchas.html) have prompted so many of you to write in that we now feature…