Peter Jacobsen

What Happens If the Government Outspends Its Ability to Pay?

For “Ask an Economist” this week, I have two questions from J.R. He says, “My question is what happens when…

9 months ago

Why Do Some Countries Stay Poor?

This week for Ask an Economist, I have a question from a reader named Mark. He says, “I've worked with…

9 months ago

Finding Present Value in Your Finances

Let me ask you a simple question. What would you prefer— $10 today or $10 in five years? The answer…

9 months ago

Why Working from Home Isn’t Working

Zoom recently announced they are calling some workers back to the office. The company’s new policy requires close workers to…

9 months ago

Why Are Some US Street Lights Turning Purple?

I saw it for the first time in Wichita, Kansas. My coworker was driving a shuttle carrying myself and a…

10 months ago

How Loan Forgiveness Hurts Taxpayers

A few weeks ago, I argued the Biden Administration would use the new SAVE plan to enact student loan forgiveness…

10 months ago

The Folly of America’s Empire: A Review of Christopher Coyne’s New Book ‘In Search of Monsters to Destroy’

Earlier this year, I received a copy of Professor Chris Coyne’s new book, In Search of Monsters to Destroy: The…

10 months ago

Biden Begins Shadow Loan Forgiveness Plan

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness proposal which would have forgiven $10,000-$20,000 of…

11 months ago

Air Pollution Has Plummeted in the U.S. Over the Last Half Century

Earlier this month, as wildfires ravaged Canada, the Northeastern United States experienced heavy air pollution problems from the smoke. The…

11 months ago

Is the Unemployment Rate a Deceptive Statistic?

This week for Ask an Economist, I have a question from retired CPA, Nicholas G. He asks, “why is so…

11 months ago

Is Inflation Taxation?

I received an interesting follow up question from Heath B. He says, “This is a follow up question for the…

11 months ago

Should Legislators Have to Disclose Harmful Consequences of Legislation?

This week, I have some questions about the consequences of legislation from Navy Veteran Howard M. He says: “Proposed legislation…

12 months ago

Are Food and Energy Excluded from Inflation Measures?

This week for Ask an Economist, I have another question from Dr. Overfield. His question is: “I would like to…

1 year ago

Why Does the Federal Reserve Target 2% Inflation?

This week I have a question from Eugene from Missouri about the Federal Reserve. He asks, “we often read that…

1 year ago

How to Make a Budget in Just a Few Easy Steps

One of the common mistakes people make is thinking that economics is the same thing as finance. Many economics professors…

1 year ago