Nov 07 The startling fact you, we and Paul Krugman didn’t know about the jobs report By Simone Pathe October's payroll gains were slightly lower than expected at 214,000, but average six-month gains continued to suggest a strong recovery. You might be surprised to learn, however, that those payroll gains don't just reflect full-time jobs. They also include part-time… Continue reading
Nov 06 From Alan Greenspan to Justin Wolfers, economists consider the Fed’s ‘Dual Mandate’ By Simone Pathe On the eve of the release of October's employment data, which will paint the first official portrait of the labor market since the Federal Reserve ended quantitative easing last week, Making Sen$e turns to top economists, many of them former… Continue reading
Nov 05 How to plug holes in your Medicare coverage By Philip Moeller Basic Medicare only covers 80 percent of most covered medical services, and there's no ceiling on those co-payments. So where should seniors turn to help them pay for the rest of their care? Making Sen$e "Medicare Maven" Philip Moeller updates… Continue reading
Nov 03 4 Social Security tips for boomers who never married By Laurence Kotlikoff Much of Larry Kotlikoff's Social Security advice pertains to married couples or partners who are divorced, separated or widowed. But today, he speaks to those boomers who have never married, and tells them what they need to know should they… Continue reading
Nov 03 Why Paul Krugman thinks inflation fears are baloney By Paul Krugman There's no inflation threat to speak of right now, says Paul Krugman. In fact, deflation poses a bigger danger, he argues. And even if inflation should creep over the Fed's 2 percent target, Krugman is confident the Fed has the… Continue reading
Oct 31 If high inflation is not here yet, why should the Fed change course? By Charles Calomiris The Federal Reserve shouldn't be worried about inflation rising over the next six months, or even year, says conservative economist Charles Calomiris. But given how much quantitative easing bloated the central bank's balance sheet, when inflation does rise -- and… Continue reading
Oct 31 The other Ebola scare: the rising cost of chocolate By Santi Falcone With Ebola inducing fears about West Africa's cocoa supply, truffle maker Santi Falcone is paying agribusiness giant Cargill more than he ever has for chocolate. And because he just signed a one-year contract, the pinch Falcone is feeling won't let… Continue reading
Oct 30 Paul Krugman on why Janet Yellen is the un-central banker By Paul Krugman Paul Krugman may not be pleased with the Fed's decision Wednesday to end their bond buying, but he is heartened by Janet Yellen's concern for the unemployed. Continue reading
Oct 29 The Fed’s dual mandate in song: it’s ‘harder than you’ll ever know’ By Jon Shayne As the Federal Reserve's policy committee ends its two-day meeting Wednesday, Nashville money manager Jon Shayne (aka econo-crooner Merle Hazard) releases his latest music video bemoaning the central bank's "Dual Mandate" to, on the one hand, keep prices stable, and,… Continue reading
Oct 29 Don’t let your Medicare Advantage plan disappear on you By Philip Moeller If your current Medicare Advantage plan will no longer be offered next year, you should have received a notice to that effect. And you should have read it. Maybe you did and maybe you didn’t. Making Sen$e Medicare Maven Phillip… Continue reading