I am consolidating my blogs. Will put everything, even personal finance material, at Economic and Political Insights.
There will also soon be some highly technical material behind a paywall,
Here are the three most recent finance blogs on Economic and Political Insights.
PLEASE CLICK ON POSTS AND SUBSCRIBE THERE.
Recent finance posts on economic decisions blog
Should you save for Retirement or Pay off Student Loans First
Your first job comes with two big choices: contribute to your 401(k) or pay down student loans. Most advisors push retirement savings, but for today’s debt-burdened grads, that advice can backfire. Here’s why debt reduction may be the smartest first investment you’ll ever make.
Why the 4 % Rule Could Ruin Your Retirement
The 4% rule has been called the “gold standard” of retirement planning. But like most rules of thumb, it’s built for a world that doesn’t exist anymore. I break down what the 4% rule gets wrong, how 2021 retirees learned this the hard way, and the better playbook for today’s retirement.
Series I Bonds: Practical Guidance, Portfolio Applications, and Policy Pathways
This article provides a practical guide to Series I Bonds in 2025, explores their features, strategic use for investors and retirees, and potential policy reforms to strengthen retirement security. It explains how Series I Bonds function, compares them with TIPS, demonstrates their resilience during inflationary shocks, and outlines ways they can stabilize portfolios. The piece concludes with policy ideas that would enhance accessibility and retirement-planning.