Economics

• The February jobs report was unexpectedly strong. (NYT-subscription may be required) (CNBC) (CNBC-video)

• If you have 45 minutes, you can listen to this Fed Conversation on Central Banking from the Cleveland Fed’s Center for Inflation Research from earlier this week to hear some of the world’s leading economists discuss inflation. If you have limited time, jump to 15:00 to hear Jason Furman’s 5-minute presentation on his expectations for inflation.
• In Fed news, (Acting) Chairman Powell faced Congress this week and vowed to wrangle inflation. (NYT – subscription may be required)

Investing

• Here is the latest market round-up from Yahoo Finance.  

Economics of the War in Ukraine

• This AP News article does a good job of outlining where and who may feel the impacts of this war.
• Bloomberg looks at what is going on with commodity prices.
• CNBC focuses on energy.
• The Indicator (Planet Money) explains what is happening at the Russian Central Bank. (NPR)

Crypto

• Russia turns to crypto as the ruble falls. (CNN)
• How crypto is/will be used during this war. (Recode)

Managing Credit

• BNPL – is it going too far? (Consumer Reports)

Budgets

• According to a PYMNTS survey, 64% of consumers are living paycheck to paycheck.
• Amazon closes all of its brick and mortar book stores. (CNN)  (Is anyone surprised this didn't work?)

Social Media

• A bi-partisan group of state Attorneys General added TikTok to their investigation (already investigating Meta) into the ill effects it has on children/teens. (The Hill)

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.