Finance: What happened to microloans and microcredit?
In the 1990s and early 2000s, "microloans" and "microcredit" were the rage in spurring economic growth. But they did not work and left people in poverty.
Economy, Gen Z, Demographics: Home Price to Income Ratio
A popular social media meme is that the home price to income ratio has exploded. But it has an incredibly obvious error ... take a look.
Economic illiteracy: In response to high housing costs, government subsidizes more demand
Surely the way to reach lower housing prices is to give out subsidies to increase demand ... uh, no.
Doomerism: Many retired will “un-retire”?
Says retirees are going to "un-retire" because everything is awful But the % of un-reitirees has been steady for a long time.
Economy: “18% of California homes change hands via inheritance”
And this is likely explained by the large baby boom cohort now hitting age 80 and passing away, in a state with Prop 13 property tax benefits.
Personal finance: Pilot pay – why you may want a licensed job
Experienced airline pilots earn $400k to $500k/year, thanks to licensing, unionization and anti-competition laws passed by Congress.
Economy, Demographics: Are young men under 30 doing worse today than 3-4 decades ago?
Per economist Marian Tupy, young men are doing much better today.
Government: State spending, per capita (2024)
State spending per capita (2024). Some states spend (and presumably tax) much more than other states.
Gen Z: Decline in home ownership due to a change in personal values?
Media and social media posts compare home ownership percentages of young cohorts in the 1980s and today and conclude it's due to price. May be not.