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Rebuilding our finances

Research

Apr 30, 2012

A time to take stock

The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming. Spring is also tax season. Is there anything special about this time of year from a financial point of view? 

Apr 27, 2012

YOU DECIDE: Can we do anything about gas prices?

There are few parts to our economy that get people riled up more than rising gas prices. But what, if anything, can we do about the escalating cost of gas. Mike Walden discusses. 

Apr 27, 2012

Gas prices and housing prices

Paying for shelter and for transportation are two of the more important expenditures people make. Some economists are saying these two spending types are more interrelated than many might think. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Apr 26, 2012

How to help

When it comes to households in our country that need assistance, there’s a longstanding debate on how to provide this help. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden summarizes the competing viewpoints. 

Apr 25, 2012

Structural unemployment

We’re just now beginning to see some positive movement in the labor market, but many economists say it will be many years -- maybe up to a decade -- before unemployment returns to a normal rate of 5 percent. N.C. State University’s Mike Walden explains why. 

Apr 24, 2012

N.C. State develops mobile hand-washing stations to help farmers reduce food safety risks

As food safety issues continue to garner national attention, N.C. State University is helping farmers in North Carolina take steps to manage food safety risks. N.C. State has developed two portable hand-washing station prototypes as customizable models for local growers in an effort to help them provide quality hand-washing facilities in their fields and at their market stalls. 

Apr 24, 2012

Globalization and the service economy

When it comes to globalization, we may think first of lost factory jobs. But increasingly globalization is also affecting service-sector jobs. Why is this? And what has been the impact? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Apr 23, 2012

Predicting presidential elections

Many political analysts say the condition of the economy is a key determinant of presidential election contests. But just how do economists think the various aspects of the economy factor into elections? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Apr 20, 2012

Job growth picks up

All eyes are on the job market for indications the economy is getting better. Here in North Carolina, we’ve been disappointed that our state unemployment rate continues to track higher than the national rate. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says there is some good news about the state job picture. 

Apr 19, 2012

Rebuilding our finances

Household finances took a big hit during the recession. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at a new status report from the Federal Reserve on household assets, debt and net worth to determine if we are collectively making progress in getting our financial house back in order.