Author: Dee Shore

Feb 23, 2011

How did we do?

As the economy slowly begins to turn for the better, maybe it is valuable to look back and see how North Carolina did economically speaking in recent years. Some say we made very little progress at all. Did we? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 22, 2011

Impacts of China’s currency

China’s president recently made a state visit to the United States, and there were numerous headlines about China’s currency and its impact on world trade. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 21, 2011

The economy and demographics

Sometimes we try to make simple things more complicated than they need to be. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says economists do this sometimes, too, and as a result tend to overlook a simple factor related to economic improvement. 

Feb 21, 2011

New info sheet explains easy-to-overlook tax deduction

For the 2010 tax year, some individuals -- including self-employed farmers -- are able to deduct health insurance premiums from net income subject to the self-employment tax. To answer questions that are cropping up about the deduction, the national Rural Tax Education project has issued an online fact sheet (PDF). 

Feb 18, 2011

Merging Duke Power and Progress Energy

A blockbuster of a business marriage was recently announced: The power giants Duke Power and Progress Energy will become one large power generation and distribution company. This is a big deal for the nation but especially for North Carolina. Why is it happening and what will be the impact? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 17, 2011

Spending from homes

One economic impacts of the housing boom during the decade of the 2000s was the additional spending that homeowners could afford by tapping into their home equity. How did this work? And where did the money go? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 16, 2011

Crazy Canadian spending

Canada didn’t suffer a financial meltdown like the United States did in recent years. As a result Canada has gotten a reputation as perhaps the model for moderation in both spending and investing. However, a recent statistic blows away Canada’s image of frugality. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 15, 2011

What's up with food prices?

The latest inflation report from the government shows that prices for some food items are rising relatively rapidly. Meat prices are up almost 6 percent in the last year, and dairy prices have risen about 4 percent. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what's going on. 

Feb 14, 2011

Where college degrees pay off more

It’s well known that financial benefits to a college degree differ for different college majors. And N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says that a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank shows that the cash value of that degree varies by where the graduate chooses to live. 

Feb 11, 2011

Who holds our debt?

The national debt is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. The debt represents money the U.S. government owes to someone. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden defines who "someone" is.