Making Sen$e

The unemployment rate ticked up to 5 percent. Here’s why that’s a good thing

By Kristen Doerer

“The unemployment rate can tick up for two reasons. One is weak jobs, and the other is more people coming back into the labor force,” said economist Nariman Behravesh.

Should students be paid for their academic achievements?

By Sandy Petrykowski

A new app called Raise.me is designed to help colleges offer financial incentives to high school students for academic accomplishments in the form of "micro-scholarships."…

Apple turns 40 today. It almost didn’t make it to 20

By Paul Solman

Twenty years ago, Apple was rotting. Today, on its 40th anniversary, Apple's stock price is $109 a share.

Need a college scholarship? There’s an app for that

By PBS News Hour

Raise.me, a college scholarship app, rewards high school students for their advanced classes and extracurricular activities with “micro-scholarships” -- guaranteed tuition payments paid by their eventual college -- that range from $25 to $1,000 for each of their academic achievements.

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China wants to mine the moon for ‘space gold’

By Vikram Mansharamani

Tinkering in the heavens has emerged as an important plank of China’s geopolitical strategy.

Should I keep regular health insurance if I’m enrolling in Medicare?

By Philip Moeller

Medicare Maven Phil Moeller answers your Medicare questions.

If you grew up poor, your college degree may be worth less

By Denise Cummins

The payoff for a college degree is much less for those who grew up poor than for those who did not.

Don’t take a one-time payment. You can’t count on dying on time

By Laurence Kotlikoff

Boston University economist Larry Kotlikoff answers your Social Security questions.

The unique disadvantage older women face in the workforce

By Teresa Ghilarducci

It’s important for older women seeking employment to understand the particular challenges they face in the labor market.

Male veterans face declining wealth and work prospects

By Making Sen$e Editor

Veterans who were in their early 50s in 1992 were better educated, healthier and wealthier than nonveterans of the same age. Yet, by 2010, this pattern had reversed.