May 31 The best insurance policy on Earth: waiting until 70 to take Social Security By Paul Solman Viewing Social Security as an investment is economically blockheaded. Instead, think of Social Security as an insurance policy. Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch Is this job-creating foreign investment project too good to be true? By PBS News Hour In northeastern Vermont, a half-billion dollar development is helping to transform a lagging economy into the state's job-creation leader. It seems like a win for tourists and for foreign investors, who put up the money in return for green cards… Continue watching
Aug 27 Watch FDIC Losing Money as Many More Banks Face Collapse The FDIC reported that its insurance fund shrank 20 percent in the second quarter. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a reporter and analyst about troubled banks. Continue watching
May 22 What Are the Chances the Government Will Profit on the Bank Bailouts? Question: It seems that almost all of the news we hear about the government’s bailout of the banks is negative, as if the American taxpayer will never see another dime of the bailout money again. But isn’t it true… Continue reading
Oct 15 U.S. Markets Plummet, Global Indicators Slide Amid Recession Fears By PBS News Hour After a two-day rally, U.S. stock prices plunged Wednesday as investors worldwide expressed concerns the global efforts to inject liquidity and restore confidence to the battered financial system may not be enough to stave off a widespread recession. Continue reading
Oct 03 Should I move now whatever money I can to federally insured savings accounts? Question/Comment: I am 62, hoping to retire at 67. I have no debt and my money is invested (following the advice of a pricey financial adviser) in both equities and guaranteed income. I’ve lost a big chunk of dough in… Continue reading
Mar 18 Federal Reserve Cuts Key Interest Rate By Admin, PBS News Hour The Federal Reserve on Tuesday cut a key interest rate by three-fourths of a percentage point, moving to contain a credit crisis threatening to push the country into a recession. Continue reading
Feb 19 If excess liquidity has caused these investments that are now going bad, how does the Fed increasing liquidity with lower interest rates help the economy? Question/Comment: If excess liquidity has caused these investments that are now going bad, how does the Fed increasing liquidity with lower interest rates help the economy? Paul Solman: Because it prevents the system from freezing up entirely. It’s a calculated… Continue reading
Feb 13 How can such enormous debt be sustainable and what happens to the world economy if the U.S. defaults? By Business Desk Question/Comment: I am a Canadian. Unfortunately, 87 percent of our trade is with America. Consequently, U.S. recessions are felt more deeply in Canada. However, my questions are about the American debt. My understanding is that the debt could reach $10… Continue reading
Nov 28 Now that it appears rates will be dropping, where is the best place to keep the bulk of my savings? Question/Comment: As a long time observer of the mortgage market, particularly the subprime segment, I have been anticipating the current economic crunch for some time. Accordingly, I have been keeping a large amount of my savings ($85K) in an FDIC… Continue reading