Wholesale sales and inventory data came out today, but there were no other big releases before the CPI next week. There is still buzz about the potential for further Fed interest rate increases. Check out this week's stories about the value of college and current and potential labor strikes and don’t miss the NYT newly released interactive College Access Index. Happy reading!

College and Career

• The NYT published its College Access Index for the first time since 2017. It shows the economic diversity of the country’s selective schools.
• Analysis shows that a college degree still brings a significant return on investment. (FORBES)
• In Denmark, students are paid to go to college. How does that work and who bears that cost? (The World)
• Here is what top CEOs want to hear from the job candidates during an interview. (CNBC)
• Looking for a career for the very near future? How about becoming an EV technician? (Reuters)

Labor Markets and Strikes

• The UAW contract with GM expires September 14, and GM’s most recent offer was not well received by the union. What could this all mean? (Reuters)
• The writers’ and actors’ strike has cost California over $5 billion. (Business Insider)
• The labor market is strong, but a new study indicates workers are not happy. (Deseret)

Economics/Government Spending

• How likely is a government shutdown? (Can you say “gridlock?”) (13NewsABC)
• What a shutdown might mean for investors. (Reuters)
• Medicare costs were predicted to rise exponentially and consistently threaten the US budget. Reality has been different. (NYT Upshot)
• Fed officials speak out—similar messages but varying degrees of optimism:
  • Chris Waller (Governor) acknowledges that the job market is beginning to soften and positive data allows the Fed to take a breath but feels further rate increases may be necessary if inflation persists. (CNBC video-worth listening to)
  • Austen Goolsbee (Chicago Fed President) stated he hoped the Fed might be close to changing the debate from how much higher to how long do we keep rates where they are. (Reuters)
  • John Williams (NY Fed President) cautions that rates may still have to be increased in inflation doesn’t come down. (CNBC)
  • Frederic Mishkin (Former Fed Governor) feels Fed could skip an increase due to recent progress and wait and see. (CNBC-video)

Investing

• Interest rate discussions naturally lead to a closer look at bonds. A Wealth of Common Sense looks at the risk and reward in today’s bond market.

Personal Finance

• How different is the Gen Z generation from Millenials when it comes to their attitudes about money? Here are the results of a yougov study.

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.