Not a day goes by without someone asking me an economic question. “Does the Ryan Budget make sense?” (No.) “Should I buy gold stocks” (Yes.) The U.S. educational system does an abysmal job teaching economics. Paddy Hirsch’s Man VS. Markets is a breezy introduction to the basics of supply and demand. Hirsch also explains the stock market. Through a series of cartoons and humorous examples, Hirsch manages to convey complex concepts. Check out Hirsch’s approach to interest rates below. If you find that interesting, check out Man VS. Markets. GRADE: A-
I’ll have to look into this one, George. I know virtually nothing about the stock market and could really use the education.
MAN VS. MARKETS is a great place to start, Beth. It’s clear and easy to read. Yet it covers complex information with humor and style. I’m considering this book for the INVESTMENT class I’m teaching in the Spring Semester.
Let’s see. The more people want, the more they charge. The less they have, the more they charge. The more they think the market will bear, the more they charge. Banks don’t share back, loan back or give back, they hold, unless they can charge higher interest rates. Prices never drop by very much, except on investment items. Interest on savings won’t serve as a significant income stream. Investments are always risky, and risk usually has more downside that upside. The more you have, the more you make and the more you get financial breaks on taxes.
That about right?
Pretty close, Rick. But you missed a few things like credit default swaps and financial derivatives.