This semester, I’m teaching a class at UIC on business, finance, and American culture. It’s a lot of fun to teach, and (I think) the students get a lot out of it. The class has started making their final presentations, and the first batch was really good. Three of the books assigned are The Jungle,… [Read More]
Blog
Money Smart Week: Cash flow versus return
I know about finance from several perspectives. I have a traditional academic background and teach traditional corporate finance (efficient markets, rational actors, time value of money). I worked for an investment company and two investment bank, so I have a real-world perspective (people are irrational, bubbles and crises are more common that you might think.)… [Read More]
Money Smart Week: The value of fixing things
Recently, a hole wore in the sole of one of my favorite pair of shoes. The shoes weren’t terribly expensive, and I almost threw them out. But then it occurred to me: the shoes were comfortable and they filled a need in my wardrobe (which is why they wore out). Even if a new pair… [Read More]
Money Smart Week: Making budgets
I often hear people say that budgets don’t work, just as diets don’t work. But, speaking as a middle-aged white lady, everything we have been told about diets is a lie. With a budget, you don’t have your metabolism working against you. Because my income is highly variable, I need a system to make sure… [Read More]
Money Smart Week: Earth Day and saving money
Today is Earth Day. That’s an important day for cheapskates, because saving money is almost always good for the environment – and vice-versa. It’s easy to forget that, in a world of overpriced food, toiletries, and cleaning products passing themselves off as better for the environment. Whole Paycheck, I’m looking at you. If you eat… [Read More]
