How to Save Money

Read this New York Times article about savings. This is important information concerning good savings habits. Summarize the article and then explain how you can change your spending and consumption habits to spend less and save more. Which of the authors' money savings tips can you apply to your own life? Also, why is it important to begin saving money early in life? Explain.

Taxes - How Does The Government Spend Money?

Do your own research and find out how the US government spends your tax dollars. What does the Federal Government spend tax money on? How much goes to military, education, etc. Include a chart if you can find a good one.
Also find out how the state of New York spends its tax dollars. What does New York State do with its tax dollars? How much money goes to parks, jails, etc.
You have two class periods to work on this blog. Be careful when you research! Watch out for web sites run by crackpots with an agenda! Just because it's on the internet does not mean it's true or acurate.

Savings and Debt

Read this New York Times article called "Couple learn the high price of easy credit". What is your reaction to the article? How do people get into debt so easily? How can finance charges be so dangerous? Also include a chart on the US declining savings rate. Why don't Americans save money anymore? See if you can compare the savings rate of US citizens to the savings rate of another nation. You have two class periods for this blog! (So it better be good).

Critique of GDP Podcast

Your job is to select one student GDP Podcast and analyze/critique it. The podcast can be from my 2nd or 4th period economics class. Podcasts are available on my web page under "Economics Podcasts". View the podcast and critique it using the following guidelines:

1.) How strong is the content of the podcast? Does it thoroughly explain GDP? (Link to the original GDP podcast lesson.)
2.) How is the recording? Is it loud, clear, and listenable?
3.) How are the images? Do they contribute to and match the verbal content?
4.) How effective is the style of the podcast? Is it interesting and creative; or not?
5.) Did you learn anything from the podcast? Is it educational?

Your podcast review should not be numbered like the list above; that is merely a rough guide for you to follow. Your review should be like a newspaper review - several paragraphs - not a numbered list.
Be sure to put the link of the podcast on your blog entry. You can do this by clicking on the chain link looking icon on the toolbar.
You should listen to/view the podcast more than once before writing your review.
Remember - a good critic praises as well as criticizes!! Your review should have both praise and suggestions for improvement.

US Trade Deficit: getting better?

Read this New York Times article. What is this article discussing? What is a trade deficit? Why is the US trade deficit likely to go down in the future? What kind of products is the US selling overseas? And what about the US dollar - how can a weak dollar actually help the US economy and the trade deficit?

Taxes - How Does The Government Get Money?

Explain the different types of taxes Americans pay. How does the federal government get money? How about the state government? And how do local (city) governments get money? Make a chart and track all of the different ways Americans are taxed. Hint - there is more than one!

Student Loans - Beware

Go to the New York Times on line. Access the article about "Top Chef" Dreams. Read the article and some of the blog comments about student loans. Why do you think some of these culinary school students took out such large student loans? What is your feeling on student loans? Do you plan on taking out any student loans? If so - for approximately how much?