Feb 04 Why is Credit Extended to Companies and How Do They Make Their Payments? Question/Comment: Can you explain the how and why of credit that is extended to companies and how they make their payments? I understand credit to start new ventures, buy new equipment, hire a workforce, and the like but how do… Continue reading
Feb 04 Will a Stimulus Fix Our Problems? A question from various sources: “Will a stimulus fix our problems?” Paul Solman: Let’s begin with a prior question: What’s the economic justification for a stimulus? The answer is that an economy’s annual output — its Gross Domestic Product (… Continue reading
Feb 02 Special Online Video: Tummy Tuck Jeans in a New Economic Landscape In a special online-only video, Paul Solman examines how the company “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” is faring as currency values, trade alliances and consumer spending shift in the global economic crisis. ]> You can find the answers to all the… Continue reading
Jan 29 Watch Stimulus Package May Yield Mixed Economic Results President Barack Obama's $819 billion stimulus proposal now heads to the Senate with little GOP support. Economists examine whether the proposed measure can succeed at its goals. Continue watching
Jan 28 House Passes $819 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan By Admin, PBS News Hour The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed President Barack Obama's $819 billion economic stimulus package by a vote of 244-188 Wednesday, with Republicans unanimous in opposition. Continue reading
Jan 26 Watch Massive Job Cuts Renew Calls for Quick Action on Stimulus Several U.S. companies reeling from the economic downturn announced a total of some 45,000 job cuts on Monday. Analysts assess what the employment situation signals about new government efforts to revive the economy. Continue watching
Dec 29 Where Should I Spend My Hard Earned Money? Question/Comment: Ok, so being a good dog, I need to keep spending to help the economy. What are some of the best things to spend my hard earned, devalued money on? Paul Solman: That’s a very interesting question and not… Continue reading
Dec 23 I’m Not Sure It’s My Responsibility to Go Out and Shop to Keep Businesses Afloat. By Business Desk Question/Comment: It seems to me there’s been a shift in market thinking in the recent past. I’m not sure that it’s my responsibility to go out and shop to keep businesses afloat; I always thought that it was business’ responsibility… Continue reading
Dec 19 Which Is It: Spend or Save? By Business Desk Question/Comment: We’re told that lower consumer spending will make economic recovery much more difficult. We’re admonished that we don’t save nearly enough, and are among the lowest among industrialized nations. So which is it: spend or save? Paul Solman: The… Continue reading
Dec 18 People Keep Spending. Has Anything Changed? Question/Comment: I have been amazed by how we’ve been told of a crisis since 9/11. It was going to ruin the U.S. economy, then it was Afghanistan, Iraq, Katrina, the Midwest floods, the fires, the hurricanes, oil prices, the… Continue reading