Sound Economics

When talking about the economy, we discuss GDP, inflation, wages, etc. From macro indicators to micro analysis, some data (Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, the strongest gain since January and up sharply from the prior month’s upwardly revised 227,000 gain) in the JOB market can tell us about future trends. However, perfect predictions never exist, and it is crucial to maintain crisis awareness at all times. Affected by COVID-19, the U.S. employment situation has not been optimistic in the past few years. While recent statistics about the U.S. job market paint a rosy picture, anyone familiar with economic history knows that Continue reading An Awareness of Economic Risk in the Booming Job Market→

When you look down at the Las Vegas strip, your attention gets caught by the dozens of casinos. It is notorious for its crazy lavish experiences and gambling. Millions of people every year go there to spend lots of money, have a good time, and make some overall bad decisions. When most people leave Las Vegas and look at their bank statements, they are shocked as to how much money they’ve really spent gambling. How is it that Casinos have gotten so good at making you spend your money? When you first step into a casino, you are bombarded with Continue reading The Art of a Casino→

Do you hear otaku culture? If not, that totally fine! You definitely know about Anime or Manga. Those things are part of otaku culture! Anime, which are animated TV shows and films, and manga, which are comic books or graphic novels, are indeed the pillars of otaku culture. Popular anime like “Naruto,” “One Piece,” “Attack on Titan,” and “Demon Slayer” have reached audiences far beyond Japan’s borders. Similarly, manga series has seen international success and are often the source material for much popular anime. The term “otaku” originally refers to a person with intense interests, particularly in aspects of popular Continue reading Otaku Culture and Economy→

Germany has a different system for workers than the US, this is just a quick insight into what rights a normal worker would be entitled to receive. Germans tend to follow the same M-F work week, but on Sundays and public holidays, only necessary workplaces (gas stations, hospitals, police, etc.…) are open. Most grocery stores and all other work are closed. The average working time an employee has can’t exceed 8 hours per day with most employees working 35-40 hours a week. Employees are given a minimum of 20 working days’ vacation per year, but on average receive 25-30. There Continue reading A Quick Snippet of German Labor Laws→

In my last blog post, I discussed the frustration of tipflation, pointing to a real living wage as a solution. And so, it is paramount that we discuss the Federal minimum wage and the benefits of raising it. Last changed in July of 2009, the Federal minimum wage has remained at a meager $7.25 an hour. But more concerning, The Federal minimum wage is not tied to inflation, meaning Congress must manually raise the wage with a new policy every few years. When we look at the 2007 Federal wage adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage has decreased by 28% Continue reading Raise the Wage: A Discussion on The Benefits of Raising the Federal Minimum Wage→

Have you ever wondered why urban cities exist and why they’re located where they are? Historically, these spaces exist due to a confluence of human factors rooted in geography, politics, and human society. But their existence has fundamentally been driven by their ability to offer social and cultural advantages to their inhabitants, bringing people closer together to accelerate human achievement. Here, we explore a few factors: Economic Agglomeration Today, roughly 56% of the world’s population (4.4 billion inhabitants) – live in cities. They provide a platform for economic activities to thrive; as populations concentrate in urban areas, businesses benefit from Continue reading Metropolitan Areas, City Planning… but why?→

The 2008 Great Recession rocked the American economy like a seismic wave, unleashing sky-high unemployment rates and an alarming surge in home foreclosures, something the country hadn’t witnessed since the infamous Great Depression. This economic upheaval had its roots in the subprime mortgage meltdown, but its effects extended far beyond just housing. It crept into mutual funds, pensions, and the very corporations holding these shaky securities, creating a domino effect of financial instability that resonated within many households nationwide. Now, a full decade after the recession, and two presidencies later, the impacts are still haunting us. Workers continue to grapple Continue reading The Federal Reserve and the Great Recession: Unraveling the Role of Monetary Policy→

Summer vacation has just ended, and travel is always exciting. But it has to be said that when you arrive at a new destination, the most important thing is not to immediately start enjoying the local food and scenery. Accommodation is always a problem, especially the seasonal fluctuations in hotel prices. Why Adjust Hotel Prices? Same with air ticket price changes. We often book flights that later become cheaper, or conversely, failing to catch the cheapest airfares. It’s not just about charging more during the peak season or lowering prices during the off-season to attract guests. They make adjustments to Continue reading Hotel Price Adjustments and Ordering Guidelines→

On campus, the Cellar is a popular dinner spot known for its pizzas, ice cream, and late hours of operation. A current issue the Cellar is facing is the build-up of waste. Most people order their food “to-go”, getting their food in disposable cardboard pizza boxes and ice cream cups which causes a lot of trash. One way that the Cellar helps promote ordering “for-here” instead of its counterpart, is by offering a 10% discount when you mention you would like your food in-house. Not many people do this, however, and people who eat in-house tend to order “to-go” despite Continue reading Ways to Help Increase Sustainability on Campus→