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?

Critique of Federal Reserve Podcast

Your job is to select one student Federal Reserve 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 student podcasts. View the podcast and critique it using the following guidelines:

1.) How strong is the content of the podcast? Does it thoroughly discuss all of the important aspects of The Fed? (Link to the original Fed 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.

Compound Interest and the rule of 72

Ok class - we just learned about Compound Interest and the rule of 72. Or at least I talked at you about Compound Interest - but did you really learn anything? Please explain - In your own words! - the principal of Compound Interest and the rule of 72. What is it about Compound Interest that inspired Einstein to say "The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest".
Use a Compound Interest calculator to see just what happens to money when Compound Interest is applied.
Links about Compound Interest.

Insider Trading Scandal - What Happened?

A large Insider Trading network was broken up on Wall Street yesterday. What was happening with these traders? What did they do that was illegal? How did they use information to make millions in the stock market? Explain thoroughly in your own words. Go to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, etc. for information.

Dow down 416 pts! - Why?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 416 points on Tuesday. Explain what happened. Why did the Dow go down? How does this decline compare to other famous declines (Great Depression, 1987, 9-11)? What will you do with your stocks? Is this a time to buy since prices went down? Explain.

Opportunity Costs

In your own words, explain what economists mean when they talk about opportunity costs. What are opportunity costs? Give some examples. And give some examples from your own life.
Use these links for help. #1 - #2

Types of Economic Systems

Research and define these 4 major economic systems. Also, what is the difference between communism and socialism?
-Traditional Economies
-Centrally Planned (Command) Economy
-Market Economy
-Mixed Economy
Link to help you.

Stock Market Game - 1 - Initial Investment Strategy

Students: Explain your initial investment plan for the stock market game.
You will begin with $50,000 to invest in the stock market. You may buy individual stocks (from any stock exchange: NASDAQ, NYSE, etc.), or you may buy mutual funds or a stock index fund.
We will begin in February and end the contest in June.
Whoever makes the most profit in your class will receive a 100 as a final grade. Also, Mr. Moloney will also play the stock market game with you - anyone who makes more profit than Mr. Moloney will get 5 points added to their final grade.
There will be a $10 commission deducted from your account for each trade (buying and selling) - so you can buy and sell freely, but it will cost you a little.
Your first blog - titled - "Stock Market Game - 1 - Initial Investment Strategy" should discuss your investment strategy. What stocks are you considering? One? Two? Or many? How about a mutual fund? Which particular stocks or industries are you considering? Do you plan to be risky (perhaps small-cap or penny stocks), or conservative?
Explain your well-thought-out and researched strategy. This is the link for the game we will be playing. You will get the password later. Good luck!

Students - set up your own blog!

Students, today you will be creating your own blog page which will serve as a "webpage", where you can put all of your wonderful economics work.
Directions:
- Go to http://www.blogger.com/home.
- Click on "Sign into Blogger".
- User name should be something you remember, like maybe your name? Don't use a name or phrase that you won't remember!
- Password should obviously be something that you remember.
- Display name should be your first name and the first letter of your last name (JohnM).
- When you get to the blog name - it should be "Joe M's Economics Page", or something similiar. It should be the same as your display name. The blog name cannot be changed - so get it right the first time. Check with me before publishing your blog name.