Making Sen$e

Like it or not, we’re all in the same Medicare boat

By Philip Moeller

The Medicare boat may be leaky and full of unclear and even unfair rules, but we all need to be in it to help the system survive.

The chances of winning Powerball are 1 in 292 million. So why play?

By Vikram Mansharamani

I don’t gamble in Las Vegas to win money — I expect to lose money, viewing it as the cost of entertainment.

Move over Big Mac, the Mini Mac Index is here to stay

By Benn Steil, Emma Smith

The “law of one price” holds that identical goods should trade for the same price in an efficient market. But to what extent does it actually hold internationally?…

Medicare expands major experiment to coordinate medical care

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

Medicare is expanding a major experiment that strives to keep seniors healthier by coordinating basic medical care to prevent common problems that often lead to hospitalization.

What you should know about Social Security childhood disability benefits

By Laurence Kotlikoff

Boston University economist Larry Kotlikoff answers your Social Security questions.

Some personal finance advice on winning Powerball (or what would Voltaire do?)

By Paul Solman

As the Powerball pot creeps past $800 million, Making Sen$e asks, what would Voltaire do?…

Wolfers on today’s unemployment numbers: ‘yabba dabba doo!’

By Kristen Doerer

The U.S. economy added 292,000 jobs in December, and unemployment remained unchanged at 5.0 percent. December’s jobs report was nothing short of stellar.