September 04, 2008
Should we have an oil floor?
A bit of a smile has come back to drivers, as falling oil prices have pushed down gas prices at the pump. Many economists have attributed this pull back in oil prices to drivers buying less gasoline when pump prices become so high. However, if we've done good things like drive less and become more energy efficient as a result of high gas prices, will this behavior end when gas prices dip? Should the government, therefore, put a floor on oil and gas prices? Listen
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September 03, 2008
Are the Europeans lazy?
Statistics show that Americans work more and take fewer vacations than Europeans. Some have attributed this in part to higher tax rates in Europe compared to the U.S. But is there anything else to account for Americans working more and Europeans working less? Listen
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September 02, 2008
What machines can't do
Technology is the defining feature of today's economy, and it seems like every day someone is inventing a technique or a machine that replaces a human activity. Does this mean that eventually the only jobs left for people will be the ones inventing those technologies and machines? Listen
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September 01, 2008
Demographics and the housing boom
As people are trying to find answers as to why we first went through a housing boom and now a housing bust, many are pointing to demographic changes as a factor. What's the essence of this argument? Listen
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August 29, 2008
Do the rich ignore prices?
As gas prices have risen, most people have cut back on their driving. But many people believe that folks with ample income don't worry about prices and don't make cutbacks when prices go up. Is this true? Listen
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August 28, 2008
How big is real estate?
Much of the economic downturn we're presently in seems to have been sparked by issues in real estate. Does it make sense that one sector, such as real estate, can move the entire economy? Listen
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August 27, 2008
Is college still worth the cost?
The upward bump in salaries that college graduates earn relative to high school graduates has actually declined this decade. Does this mean that a college education has lost its luster in the job market? Listen
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August 26, 2008
Bank failures
A chill went up the spine of many investors when they heard about the federal takeover of a big California bank. So now people have another worry to add to the list of economic problems: bank failures. The biggest question on most people's minds is: Should I feel safe about my money in banks? Listen
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August 25, 2008
Property reappraisals
Most counties in North Carolina reappraise real estate like homes very infrequently, maybe only once every 8 years. One problem this creates is the "sticker shock" owners have when their property value and potentially their property taxes take a big jump. The General Assembly tried to address this issue during their just concluded session. What did they do? Listen
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August 22, 2008
Why gas prices could go down?
In recent weeks there's actually been some good news on gas prices. They've stopped rising and have even retreated somewhat. What's going on? Many forecasters saw no end in sight to the seemingly relentless rise in prices. Listen
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August 21, 2008
How bad is inflation?
It seems like the economy is being battered by three things now: job losses, problems in the housing market, and higher inflation. Let's focus today on inflation. How bad is it? Are we seeing some of the worst statistics on inflation in recent years? Listen
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August 20, 2008
Trade and low-income households
One of the biggest economic changes in recent years has been the reduction in trade barriers between countries. Some say this change has, in particular, hurt low-income households by moving many factory jobs to foreign countries. Is this the consensus among economists? Listen
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August 19, 2008
Changing what we eat
The world - and especially the developing world - is changing. One of ways we see this change is in changing buying habits of food by consumers in countries like China, India and Southeast Asia. Just what's happening and how can it possible affect you and me? Listen
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August 18, 2008
Teenage unemployment
"Mike, you and I both had jobs as teenagers. As I reflect, I think working then was important not so much for the money but rather for the work skills I learned, like being on time, taking orders and working with others. Is paid work something teenagers can still easily do today?" Listen
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August 15, 2008
Where are we cutting?
With most families seeing their paychecks effectively shrink as prices rise faster than wages, spending cutbacks have to be made? So do we have any statistics telling us what households are doing without or at least with less of? Listen
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August 14, 2008
Voting with your feet
One of the most important elements of economics is reaction. Both businesses and consumers will react to economic conditions, and these reactions will bring change. An example of such a reaction is the concept of voting with your feet. What does this colorful term mean in economics? Listen
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August 13, 2008
Retirees and economic development
When people think of economic development, they usually think about bringing in a factory, processor or some other company, but one of the biggest societal trends is the emerging retirement of the 78-million-strong baby boomers. Can these retirees be a source of economic development? Listen
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August 12, 2008
The whole picture on alternative fuels
Everyone is looking for the next big fuel to replace oil and gas. Some of the candidates are solar power, wind power, wave power, geothermal and hydrogen. Scientists in Canada have even made fuel from the kudzu plant. However, is it enough just to say a fuel has been successfully made from some source or process? Listen
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August 11, 2008
Selling metals
There have been several stories in the news about people selling metals; not only gold and silver but also products made of steel, copper and aluminum. Is this just a matter of folks needing money, or is there more to the story? Listen
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August 08, 2008
Real pay
In today's leaner economic times, people are looking closely at their paychecks. For some, the start of a new fiscal year in July is when pay raises are given. How should we look at our pay raises, especially in light of our ongoing economic challenges? Listen
August 07, 2008
The slowdown comes to North Carolina
North Carolina's economy outperformed the nation's in 2007. Our job market and household income held up better, and contraction in the housing market wasn't as great. Are these positive trends continuing in 2008? Listen
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August 06, 2008
Investing with the bears
The stock market is officially in a bear market, meaning average losses are now 20 percent off their recent high. For investors, both big and small, the biggest question is whether to stay or go. For people in the stock market, should they continue to hold stocks for should they sell? Listen
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