Even though Wall Street and the financial press have been harping for decades on the retirement savings crisis, this article provides some additional perspectives. Questions: 1. According to the Manpower Group, what percentage of millennials plan to work until they die (as their solution to retirement)? 2. Why do so many millennials have such a… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Long-Term Liabilities
Sick Leave? How does it hurt business?
Many people go to work even when they are sick. But should this happen in the restaurant industry? As Chipotle found out outbreaks of norovirus, E. coli and salmonella can devastate business. This article discusses the lack of sick leave in the restaurant business and how food workers are the source of about 70% of… Read more »
Will it Work?
Norovirus, salmonella, and E. Coli outbreaks during 2015 at fresh food restaurants run by Chipotle have cost a huge loss of business. However, in mid-February, the chain plans a strategic marketing campaign aimed at trying to bring these customers back. Questions: 1. By how much did comparable restaurant sales fall in the fourth quarter of… Read more »
Litigation Finance
This article discusses the trend of litigation finance, where individuals and companies are turning to private companies to front the money for legal costs in expensive litigation. Despite having in-house counsel, even larger companies are selling off pieces of lawsuits to improve cash flow and reduce risk. Questions: 1. Between 2013 and 2014, how much… Read more »
Incredible Law School Debt
The median LSAT score of students admitted to Florida Coastal School of Law was among the lowest 25% nationwide. Despite the fact that the average debt of the 2014 graduating class had $163,000 in debt, may not pass the bar, and probably cannot repay the debt, this school is one of six for-profit law schools… Read more »
New Mortgage Rules for Those with Student Debt
New rules could make it tougher to qualify for a low down payment mortgage from the Federal Housing Administration, particularly with respect to down payment gifts and deferments associated with student loans. Questions: 1. What is the role of debt-to-income ratios in this story, as they related to student loans? 2. What is the old… Read more »
The Question of Undue Hardship
The bankruptcy case of Janet Roth stirred a debate over the rigidity of the “undue hardship” standard in discharging student loans. This year, President Obama instructed several governmental agencies to review, by Oct. 1, whether the treatment of student loans in bankruptcy should be altered. Questions: 1. How did Ms. Roth prepare for her case?… Read more »
Severe Cuts for Higher Education in Louisiana….Who’s Next?
Governor Bobby Jindal’s new budget in Louisiana proposes off-setting declines in oil revenue by cutting $1.6 million from the budget of state higher education institutions. At the same time as it is predicted that 60% of adults in 2025 will have to have postsecondary credentials in order for the U.S. to maintain its economic edge,… Read more »
How would you like a Big Raise?
Dan Price, the founder of Gravity Systems—a credit card processing company based in Washington—shocked his employees by raising the minimum wage to $70,000 over the next three years. Questions: 1. What percentage raise will that be based on the average wage now? 2. Where did Dan get the idea? 3. Do you think that his… Read more »
A Christmas Miracle?
A single father stumbles upon $50K in bonds in a discarded Christmas box and tries to return the money to the owner. Questions: 1. What are bearer bonds? What types of journal entries are associated with them for the issuer? Give examples. 2. What had Mr. Tran done that made these bonds worthless? What do… Read more »