The presidential election brought home a major point we always seem to forget -- our quest for certainty is never achieved. We crave certainty because it's so comforting. We fear uncertainty because it can be painfully disorienting.
Yet surprises happen!
People tend to believe who they are today is pretty much who they'll be tomorrow, even when they have acknowledged to having changed significantly in the past. This phenomenon, known as the "end of history illusion," should make you a bit more cautious before making a major decision, like buying a house for retirement. You never know how your likes and dislikes evolve over time. Watch the video to find out more.
People typically make investments to earn money. Seems pretty logical. But recently a number of governments, like Japan and Germany, have been issuing bonds with a negative yield, meaning an investor would lose money if they held the bond to maturity. Basically, the purchaser of such a bond is paying someone to hold their money.
We are hearing a lot of passionate rhetoric about illegal immigration during this campaign year. Such talk may prevent us from recognizing the importance of legal immigration to the continued vitality of the U.S. economy. Just take a look at the problems that Japan faces with a dwindling, aging population. China is on a path to suffer a similar fate.
An extremely low fertility rate in Japan is causing its population to decline rapidly, with projections of a one-third drop by 2060. At that time, close to 40% of the people will be 65 years of age or older. This demographic atrophy will likely lead to a lowering of the national income. A smaller, older population means less productive output.
How does someone with a graduate degree and a job that pays well end up not being able to afford a $400 emergency? What are the repercussions for him and his family? Listen to the video to hear a cautionary tale and watch for a surprise guest.
