The sunk cost fallacy is when we continue an action because of our past decisions (time, money, resources) rather than a rational choice of what will maximise our utility at this present time. For example, because we order a big meal and have paid for it, we feel a pressure to eat all the food. …
Recently I wrote about impact of rising bond yields on long term bonds. There is uncertainty whether the rise in bond yields reflects economic growth or worries over government debt. This post explains the inverse relationship between bond yields and bond prices Bond Yield Curve Definition: The bond yield curve reflects the yield on government …
What are the implications of an ageing population? An older population presents many challenges to labour markets, government tax, government spending and the wider economy. The Population Timebomb – How An Ageing Population Will Change UsWatch this video on YouTube One of the great achievements of the Twentieth Century is a dramatic rise in life …
Rising petrol, food and energy prices have pushed many households in the UK and around the world into an unprecedented cost of living crisis. In the UK, in March 2022 the ONS reports that 23% of households found it difficult to pay their monthly bills. The cost of living crisis is fundamentally caused by higher …
Generation rent is a term to describe those young adults (18-40) who have been priced out of the housing market – unable to buy and having to pay a high percentage of income on rent. As well as an expensive housing market, generation rent faces financial difficulties from high living costs, student loans and low …
Since 1980, China has experienced an economic miracle with over three decades of economic growth averaging over 10% a year. This growth has enabled millions of people to be lifted out of absolute poverty and for China to become one of the most dominant economies in the world. Problems facing Chinese economyWatch this video on …
The OBR has recently made a prediction that UK national debt could soar from the current 100% of GDP to 320% within 50 years. This bleak assessment is made with regard to factors such as demographic pressures, requiring higher spending on welfare and health care, plus recent geopolitical events and rising energy prices. In 2009, …
The best guide to US elections is the state of the economy. If the economy is doing badly with high unemployment and/or higher inflation. The party of the sitting US president tends to get punished by the voters. But, how much influence does the President have on the economy and the rate of inflation? In …