Making Sen$e

Does being paid hourly vs. yearly change how you save?

By Dan Ariely, Aaron Nichols

According to a well-established psychological theory known as “construal theory,” the answer is yes.

Column: Trump’s policies would massively increase the national debt

By Maya MacGuineas

It’s four months until Election Day, and neither of the presumptive nominees of the two major parties has a plan to reverse the growth of our record-high national debt.

Column: In the wake of Brexit, will the EU finally turn away from austerity?

By Dean Baker

Europe's bleak economic performance was not dictated by the gods. It was the result of the conscious decision by the EU leadership to turn towards austerity in 2010.

Column: Will Brexit affect U.S. consumer confidence? The outcome may determine our next president

By Benn Steil, Emma Smith

Going back to 1952, consumer confidence has been a fair guide to presidential election outcomes.

Brexit: 4 reasons it comes as a shock

By Paul Solman

First, of course, are the political implications. Second, these are millions upon millions of people who were voting against their pocketbooks. The third shock is more personal: my apparent over-reliance on the prediction markets, and on economists like Justin Wolfers…

How the housing markets in 5 U.S. cities may have cost you $5,000 in lost wages

By Duarte Geraldino

The housing markets in five U.S. cities have prevented aggregate U.S. GDP from growing further and in doing so may have cost the average American worker $5,000 in lost wages.

Should I stick with my Federal Employee Health Benefits or enroll in Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

Once you know the cost of your Medicare solution, you at least can compare it with your current coverage and costs.

Column: How an epidemic of grade inflation made A’s average

By Vikram Mansharamani

Grade inflation — no, hyperinflation — is running rampant in American higher education. A recent study revealed that 42 percent of four-year college grades are A’s, and 77 percent are either A’s or B’s.

How much does it cost to leave the workforce to care for a child? A lot more than you think.

By Kristen Doerer

Two out of every three American children under the age of 5 whose parents both live together need child care because both parents work. The average cost for two kids -- an infant and a 4-year-old -- in a child…

Can you guess how many Americans have absolutely no savings at all?

By Kristen Doerer, Paul Solman

Sixty-six million Americans have zero dollars saved for an emergency expense -- zero -- and 28 percent have only six months worth of savings, according to a new report by Bankrate.