Economics

• Was the Covid recession really the shortest on record? Read about how the NBER makes the call on recessions. (CNBC)
• As Covid-related assistance programs like the eviction moratorium, extra unemployment assistance, student loan deferment, etc. begin to unwind, this NYT article offers advice on where to turn for help, and explains what programs are still out there.
• Is the bond market telling a different story about expectations for the economic recovery than the stock market? (NYT)

Investing

• For a really thorough and fascinating read on the history and evolution of investing, try this one from Of Dollars And Data.

FinTech

• Venmo’s redesigned app is prioritizing privacy. Engadget

Retirement

• The pandemic has caused concern among Gen X and millenials about their retirement. (PRNewsWire)
• Baby boomers retirements jump during the pandemic. (Dayton Daily News)
• But for many boomers, helping out family during the pandemic has hurt their retirement prospects. (PRNewsWire)

Budgeting/Housing

• Forbes suggests using “Price-to-Rent” ratios to determine whether it is better to buy or to rent.
• We have talked about the housing market, which may have peaked, but now rents are rising too. (MarketPlace)

Insurance/Debt

• Medical Debt in the US total over $140 Billion. One in five have medical debt in collections. (SIEPR)

Paying for College

• FAFSA completion dropped 4.8% for the class of 2021. (Inside Higher Ed)
• Are Master’s Degrees worth it? So many students borrow huge amounts to get them. (Slate)

Careers

• Economist Austan Goolsbee provides a few scenarios about the future of working from home and who will benefit. (NYT)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.