Economics

• The jobs numbers were released today. 263,000 jobs were added and unemployment is now measured at 3.6%, a 49-year low. The NYT just published a primer explaining how this is measured.
• A second NYT article explains why it has taken so long for wages to rise in the recovery, and which sectors are experiencing the most wage growth. 

Paying for college

• Apparently states in search of educated folks to fill jobs are offering assistance with student loan debt as a lure. (WSJ)
• We don’t normally include “listicles,” but this Forbes list “Best Value Colleges” includes some interesting statistics too.
• There is nothing particularly new in this blog on advocating for yourself when it comes to financial aid, but it links to many good potential resources if you are looking for something new/different (Ed.Gov)
• Here is a word of caution about jumping on statistics. This fascinating SLATE article reveals there was a coding error behind a highly touted statistic with some serious implications.
• This Harvard Business Review article examines entrepreneurship among millennials, soon to be the largest population cohort, how student debt is hampering their entrepreneurial efforts, and offers some possible solutions.

Insurance

• The dangers of high-deductible health insurance plans. (NPR)

Investing 

• Beyond Meat had its IPO on Wednesday priced at $25, was trading at $46 at midday (+76%) and as high as $63.43 (+154%) during the day. (MarketWatch)
• As Uber prepares for its IPO, it is comparing itself to another tech giant. Which one? The answer may surprise you. (NYT)
• Vanguard has figured out a way (and patented it!) to reduce capital gains taxes on its mutual funds using something known as heartbeat trades. ETFs are part of the equation. Here is a good one for those of you technical folks. (Bloomberg)

Retirement

• Supporting adult children may be killing your retirement prospects. (WAPO)
• Why retirees are renting instead of owning homes in cities across the country. (NYT)

Gen Z

• Will Gen Z help malls make a comeback? (Bloomberg)
• If you like this one, Bloomberg has a whole series or articles on Gen Z
• Junior Achievement/Citizens Bank survey results reveal interesting statistics about Gen Z and their worries about financial independence.

Relationships

• Financial infidelity is on the rise and may be more prevalent than marital infidelity. (A new field of counseling arises.) (NPR)

PS: Follow up to Costs of Going Cashless post: All Sweet Greens in Philadelphia will accept cash (the chain does not accept cash). (Daily Pennsylvanian)

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