Face it: Your future depends entirely on your Algebra II grade

April 7th, 2011


(photo credit: stuartpilbrow)

Apparently, Algebra II is one of the best predictors of a student’s success in college and beyond. (You know, that great beyond where you actually have to get a job?) Several studies show that people who have made it through Algebra II tend to do better in college and end up in higher-paying careers.

Now, nobody’s going to say that algebra is easy, but although it may be the basis of rocket science, it is not, in fact, rocket science. And once you learn it the first time, you don’t really have to learn it again.

We’re willing to bet that students who spend a little time learning the basics of personal finance also tend to end up in those higher-paying careers. So unless you want to be this guy, maybe it’s time to hit the books.

Books? Worry not – you can learn your maths and watch videos on the Internet at the same time!

How much does A-Rod make just for being A-Rod?

April 7th, 2011

a-rod.png
(click image to see the whole thing)

Highlights:

  • - Every time Alex steps up to the plate, he earns $59,000
  • - A-Rod has the largest ever MLB contract package, worth $275 million over 10 years
  • - Even though he makes less money than A-Rod, Shaq makes way more money in endorsements

How much could A-Rod buy?

How much does A-Rod make just for being A-Rod?

April 6th, 2011

a-rod.png
(click image to see the whole thing)

Highlights:

  • - Every time Alex steps up to the plate, he earns $59,000
  • - A-Rod has the largest ever MLB contract package, worth $275 million over 10 years
  • - Even though he makes less money than A-Rod, Shaq makes way more money in endorsements

This may explain why every pro athlete seems to have their own foundation…

How much could A-Rod buy?

Hawaii Pushes the “Emergency Marketing” Button

April 6th, 2011

We all know by now how much the earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan have affected its economy and the foreign companies that depend on Japanese-made components for their products.

But something we hadn’t really thought enough about is how the disaster affects where Japanese people choose to spend their money. It seems obvious now, but Japanese tourism to Hawaii has dropped by a full 25% since March 11th. That’s a big deal for the Hawaiian tourism industry, which is now spending $3 million on “emergency marketing” to woo travelers from other nations.

See what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket? Diversity really is more than just a corporate buzzword. (Full disclosure: we hate the word “buzzword.”) In work, school, government, AND your investment portfolio, diversification can protect you from unpredictable events and their domino effects.

Fortunately, Hawaii still has plenty of appeal to pasty New Yorkers like ourselves, who are happy to contribute to the state’s critical tourism revenue stream.

Barring an unforeseen volcanic eruption, that is.

Hawaii Pushes the “Emergency Marketing” Button

April 6th, 2011

We all know by now how much the earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan have affected its economy and the foreign companies that depend on Japanese-made components for their products.

But something we hadn’t really thought enough about is how the disaster affects where Japanese people choose to spend their money. It seems obvious now, but Japanese tourism to Hawaii has dropped by a full 25% since March 11th. That’s a big deal for the Hawaiian tourism industry, which is now spending $3 million on “emergency marketing” to woo travelers from other nations.

See what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket? Diversity really is more than just a corporate buzzword. (Full disclosure: we hate the word “buzzword.”) In work, school, government, AND your investment portfolio, diversification can protect you from unpredictable events and their domino effects.

Fortunately, Hawaii still has plenty of appeal to pasty New Yorkers like ourselves, who are happy to contribute to the state’s critical tourism revenue stream.

Barring an unforeseen volcanic eruption, that is.

The Industries That Won’t Come Back

April 5th, 2011

after-hours-tuxedo-rental.jpg
(photo credit: gruntzooki) For all your after hours tuxedo rental needs.

The recession has caused a lot of problems for our economy, no doubt. But some industries look like they’re just not going to pull through. Specifically, these ten:

10-dying-industries.png
(from The Wall Street Journal)

Good old supply and demand at work. Why buy a newspaper when you can get your news online for free? Why pay for photofinishing when most of your snapshots don’t make it past Facebook?

Are YOU still spending money in any of these industries?

(Bonus points if you can find an industry on this list that wasn’t at least partially laid to rest by the Internet!)

The Industries That Won’t Come Back

April 5th, 2011

after-hours-tuxedo-rental.jpg
(photo credit: gruntzooki) For all your after hours tuxedo rental needs.

The recession has caused a lot of problems for our economy, no doubt. But some industries look like they’re just not going to pull through. Specifically, these ten:

10-dying-industries.png
(from The Wall Street Journal)

Good old supply and demand at work. Why buy a newspaper when you can get your news online for free? Why pay for photofinishing when most of your snapshots don’t make it past Facebook?

Are YOU still spending money in any of these industries?

(Bonus points if you can find an industry on this list that wasn’t at least partially laid to rest by the Internet!)

Strategies for Change, Part 2: Advocacy

April 4th, 2011

Welcome to our new series, showing you how the changes you want to see in the world actually happen!

Check out our other SfC shorts:

Strategies for Change: Introduction
Strategies for Change, Part 1: Activism
Strategies for Change, Part 3: Direct Service
Strategies for Change, Part 4: Education

Americans are Spending More (yay!)… But Not Necessarily Getting More (boo)

April 4th, 2011

tiny-egg.jpg
(photo credit: Eggybird)

Every month for the past eight months, dutiful Americans have been pulling out their wallets and handing their money to other Americans in exchange for goods and services. In other words, they’ve been lubricating the wheels of our creaky economic machine.

Why? Well, part of it is that they’re more confident now that the recession is over and there are real signs of a recovery. But the other, more significant part is that the cost of living increased. That’s right: inflation.

Food and gas prices went up, which means that more of Joe American’s dollars went to feeding his family and driving to work than to buying a new television or a trampoline for the kids.

Ben Bernanke from the Fed says that nobody should be worrying about out-of-control inflation – food and gas prices will come down again. But if he’s wrong, it’s the Fed’s job to take action to make sure Joe still has a few dollars left to pay for his morning coffee after feeding the kids and driving to work.

And by the way… while inflation sounds like a bad thing, it’s really not as bad as its evil twin, deflation.

Have you been spending more money since last summer? Why?

Americans are Spending More (yay!)… But Not Necessarily Getting More (boo)

April 2nd, 2011

tiny-egg.jpg
(photo credit:  Eggybird)

Every month for the past eight months, dutiful Americans have been pulling out their wallets and handing their money to other Americans in exchange for goods and services. In other words, they’ve been lubricating the wheels of our creaky economic machine.

Why? Well, part of it is that they’re more confident now that the recession is over and there are real signs of a recovery. But the other, more significant part is that the cost of living increased. That’s right: inflation.

Food and gas prices went up, which means that more of Joe American’s dollars went to feeding his family and driving to work than to buying a new television or a trampoline for the kids.

Ben Bernanke from the Fed says that nobody should be worrying about out-of-control inflation – food and gas prices will come down again. But if he’s wrong, it’s the Fed’s job to take action to make sure Joe still has a few dollars left to pay for his morning coffee after feeding the kids and driving to work.

And by the way… while inflation sounds like a bad thing, it’s really not as bad as its evil twin, deflation.

Have you been spending more money since last summer? Why?

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