Posts Tagged: contemporary business issues

Slowing Wealth – New Study Reports

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According to a new study by the Urban Institute, the American dream of working hard, saving more and becoming wealthier than one’s parents holds true for many, unless you’re under 40. Questions: 1. What are some of the factors that have negatively affected the wealth of younger Americans? 2. According to the article, if a… Read more »

Money Melting a Hole in Your Pocket?

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Canada started rolling out new, polymer-based $100 bills two years ago, followed by 50s and then, last November, 20s. The money, which isslick like a sheet of plastic, hard to fold and partly transparent, is more difficult to counterfeit than Canada’s old paper-and-cotton bills. Australia and New Zealand have used similar, plasticized notes for years…. Read more »

The Loophole

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About 12 million borrowers turn to payday lenders each year. According to a new study by the Pew Charitable Trusts, only about 14 percent of borrowers can afford to take enough out of their monthly budget to repay the average payday loan. While 15 states that have banned the predatory, high-interest loans that payday lenders… Read more »

What’s Martha Stewart Doing in Court Again?

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In the latest Martha Stewart saga, Macy’s alleges Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia violated exclusivity terms of its contract when it agreed in 2011 to open Martha Stewart stores inside J.C. Penney’s stores. Questions: 1. Martha Stewart denied Macy’s allegations that she did anything unethical and said she was only looking to expand her brand. After… Read more »

So, is it a record if you don’t pay for it?

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For all you Starbuck’s watchers, remember in February 2012 when Logan Warren held the record for the most expensive Starbuck’s drink? It was a 31-ounce Trenta that cost $23.60. Into it went a Java Chip Frappuccino, enhanced with plenty of that’ll-cost-you-add-ons: 16 shots of espresso, soy milk, caramel, banana and strawberry purees, vanilla beans, and… Read more »

Justice for Dixon Illinois?

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In November 2012, Rita Crundwell, comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and admitted that she stole approximately $53 million, admitting she stole the money from the city of Dixon while she was comptroller. She still faces 60 separate but related state felony charges for theft in Lee County. She has pleaded not… Read more »

Who spilled the ketchup? Unknown Traders, Of Course!

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UPDATE 2/22/13: After the traders failed to appear at a hearing today in Manhattan, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff agreed to freeze the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. account until the case is resolved. The SEC on Feb. 15 sued the “unknown” traders over suspicious purchases of Heinz options through the account. Judge Rakoff was quoted… Read more »

Are you Due any Lost Funds?

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Ohio has returned more than $3.4 million in unclaimed funds to Elyria in what it says is the largest such payment in state history. Questions: 1. Where did the funds originate? 2. Are there unclaimed funds in every state? If so, how do you access the list in your state? 3. How do you think… Read more »

Survey Shows that Out-of-Network Providers Are Billing Consumers up to Several Thousand Percent more than the Government would pay for similar Medicare Services

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According to a new study from the Center for Policy and Research, the nation must address the soaring cost of medical care that continues to rise at an unsustainable rate. For consumers who choose to seek care out-of-network, their survey shows that the charges billed by some out-of-network providers can exceed several hundred or several… Read more »

Read this if you are thinking about Law School

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According to Ethan Bronner at the New York Times, law school applications are headed for a 30-year low, reflecting increased concern over soaring tuition, crushing student debt and diminishing prospects of lucrative employment upon graduation. Questions: 1. Summarize the recent trend in the number of applications to law schools. 2. What are your views on… Read more »