Everyday Finance

New print reference resource: Everyday Finance: Economics, Personal Money Management, and Entrepreneurship!

The 2-volume work is available in the Reference Room at call number HB171 .E93 2008.

The purpose of this book is to introduce the field of economics, as well as its related topics personal money management and entrepreneurship, in a simple, meaningful way. It shows that economics, personal money management, and entrepreneurship are related to our ordinary everyday lives. The word finance, which has several meanings, is used to describe anything related to money and the economy. Everyday Finance was motivated by the growing awareness in the United States that economic literacy is essential for functioning in the modern world.

To explain the world of money, Everyday Finance features 300 articles, organized by subject into three major sections. The first, How the Economy Works, contains essays within several broad areas: macroeconomics, describing the economy as a whole; microeconomics, focusing on individual parts or forces in the economy; international trade, or buying and selling between countries; and the government's role in the economy. Some essays relate to more than one area and were placed where they would be most useful to a person not familiar with economics.

After the first section introduces the basic ideas of economics, the second and third sections explain how people are personally involved in the economy, either as consumers or business owners. The second section, Personal Money Management, is broken down into four typical consumer roles: buying, borrowing, saving, and insuring. The third section, Entrepreneurship, discusses running a business, attracting customers, managing money, working with employees, and business ethics and the law.

Everyday Finance also includes biographies on seven influential economists throughout history. The book has over 220 images, as well as nearly 50 tables, charts, and graphs; a glossary of financial terms; a further reading section; and a subject index, listing all the topics featured in the book.

Reading About the Economy

Everyday I read articles about the economy and find that the news is becoming more and more depressing. While I believe that we will eventually cycle out of these problems, there is no way to predict how long it will take or how it will ultimately filter down to us, the average Americans. You can read about something happening today, but it may take quite awhile to actually affect your everyday life and finances.

While remaining optimistic and hoping for the best, it's probably still a very good idea and a very good time to reign in your spending. Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned. Usually the best place to start is by going over your bills in detail. You may be surprised at how many "extra" charges are added to your bill that you don't even know about. Call the companies and discuss the charges on your bill. They may even help you to save money on your bill (a maybe, but it does happen). Next, figure out what you can live without. There are probably some relatively painless cuts you can make. Do I need long distance service on my home phone if I have long distance on my cell phone? Isn't that paying double for the same service? Do I really need to pay for movie channels on my cable or satellite bill that I don't even have time to watch? I probably won't even notice once they're gone.

At BankRate.com I always find articles that are in list form. For some reason they always capture my attention, probably because it's like an outline and I can skim through and pick out what's interesting to me. Here are some interesting articles that may provide you with some insight into saving money:

4 Ways to Cut Your Phone Bill

5 Big Bills You Can Cut Fast

15 Ways to Save Money on Gas

6 Steps to Better, Cheaper Car Insurance

Slideshow of the Top 100 Brands

2008 BusinessWeek/Interbrand Best Global Brands Ranking

View a slideshow of the top 100 brands, including their 2008 brand value.

"When ranking the value of the Best Global Brands, Interbrand evaluates brand value in the same way any other corporate asset is valued -- on the basis of how much it is likely to earn for the company in the future. Interbrand uses a combination of analysts’ projections, company financial documents, and its own qualitative and quantitative analysis to arrive at a net present value of those earnings. The brand values are based on data collected during the 12 months prior to June 30, 2008. This means that more recent developments, including the troubles at Merrill Lynch and AIG, are not factored into the brand valuations."

Faculty Business Databases Workshop

On Friday, September 5th from 1:00 to 2:00 I will be holding an Introduction to Business Databases workshop in the Instruction Room on the 4th floor of the library.

It is more important than ever for graduates from the School of Business to be able to find information on stocks, company histories, and industry trends. In this workshop, I will guide you through databases such as Business Source Complete, Mergent Online, Reference USA, Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage, and Value Line Research Center, showing you how to search these valuable databases for the information you and your students need.

Contact Christine Adams at X3680 or email cmadams02@ysu.edu.

Hope to see you there!

OneSource Global Business Browser

We now have access to OneSource Global Business Browser through the Reference USA database. Find in-depth company profiles on 3 million international companies, including key executives and detailed financial information. Find industry profiles and search global media sources.

After entering Reference USA, click on International Businesses Search. OneSource Global Business Browser will open in a separate window. From there, use the search boxes to find Companies, Executives, News & Articles, or Industries.

If you are off campus (and are a current YSU student, faculty, or staff), use this Off Campus Link.

This is an excellent and up-to-date source for global information!

10 Reasons to Love a Recession

During difficult economic times, it's easy to become pessimistic about the future. Which is why it's important to remember that everything about life goes through cycles. While things may look gloomy one day, the sun will shine again tomorrow (alright, maybe a little less in northeast Ohio).

We experienced a similar economic downturn during the 1970s. People were afraid of the same things: fuel prices, food prices, unemployment. We survived.

Some people (hopefully a lot) will use these circumstances to reevaluate their spending habits. Maybe we could cut out some of the numerous bills we've allowed to creep into our lives? While, of course, noone can live without a cell phone, satellite tv, or an Internet connection, maybe we can find ways to simplify and better our lives.

This is why I found this article from Bankrate.com so interesting:
10 Reasons to Love a Recession

Talk about finding a silver lining! I can not only save money by having family dinners at home (at the actual dinner table no less), but I can strengthen family bonds and give my children a better sense of well-being? I can save money by mowing my own lawn and benefit from the exercise? I can save money by planting a garden and benefit from a healthier diet? What revolutionary concepts!

The point is: Find the silver lining! There are ways to save money and improve your life at the same time. Difficult times are not just difficult, they're learning experiences.

Tim Russert

President of Student Union

John Carroll University, Ohio

1971

Pictures taken from the Cleveland Memory Project

10 Bad Habits That Lead to Debt Disaster

Interesting article from Bankrate.com:
10 Bad Habits That Lead to Debt Disaster

The list, in short, is:

1. Misusing balance transfers
2. Not checking credit reports
3. Failing to alert creditors about hardship
4. Thinking of 'budget' as a dirty word
5. Using retail store credit cards
6. Not creating an emergency fund
7. Paying bills in no particular order
8. Charging purchases
9. Making credit payments late
10.Making the minimum payment only

Follow the link to the article for more in-depth discussion
of each bad habit.

New Economics Subject Guide

Be sure to check out the new and updated Economics Subject Guide!

Find out the print and electronic resources you have access to for information about economics. There's probably much more than you think. Many new items have been added to the reference collection over the last few months, and many links are included on the guide to valuable electronic and government resources.

Don't forget that you can instant message me on all the subject guides using the Meebo box at the top of each page. If I am unavailable, make sure you leave me your contact information. So if you have any questions, MEEBO ME!!!

Subject Guides, Market Data & News Sites

Maag Business Blog is becoming a one-stop shop for all your business information needs!

Now you can access Maag Library's business subject guides straight from the blog. You can view up-to-the-minute market data on the SaneBull widget, and you can access all the major business news websites: local, national and international.

Check back with us often for new updates, and if you have any ideas to contribute, please let me know!

Try the FREE Trial of Reference USA's "International Businesses" Module

Yesterday I attended a presentation from a Reference USA representative on their "International Businesses" module. We currently subscribe to the "U.S. Businesses" module, and any of you who have used Ref USA know the abundance of U.S. company information that it provides. However, any company headquartered outside the U.S. only presents information in the U.S. Businesses module for subsidiaries or offices located within the U.S.

For today's business students, knowledge of the U.S. economy and business environment is not enough preparation for future careers. In this era of globalization, we have to turn our sights to the world stage. Our economy is but a part of the intricate global relationships.

Until May 15, YSU has been given a free trial of the "International Businesses" module. Anyone interested in international business, feel free to explore this module. Also, please comment or contact me with your opinions. I was pretty impressed with the information available, but you, the students and faculty, are the ones who actually use the products we offer. Your input would be invaluable!

To access the free trial, go to Reference USA and click on "International Businesses Search." Let me know what you think!

Business: The Ultimate Resource

New in print in the Reference Room at call number HD38.15 .B878.

An MBA between two covers! Business has been designed to offer a wide range of insights, information, and practical guidance on every aspect of management. Comprised of six distinct sections, Business is extensively cross-referenced throughout and organized to help you navigate both across and within topics.

Business is the only comprehensive, state-of-the-art guide to every aspect of business and management that includes:

• Over 150 original essays and interviews with the world's leading business authors
• Biographies of over 100 of the world's most influential business gurus and pioneers
• Summaries of more than 100 of the world's most influential business books
• Over 1500 business quotations -- from the informative to the inspirational.

The World's Most Innovative Companies

Each year Business Week and the Boston Consulting Group rank the World's Most Innovative Companies, and they've released their list for 2008.

You can find the article discussing how companies view innovation during a recession at http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_17/b4081061866744.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily.

To see a slide show of the actual list, when you're at the above link go over to the "Most Popular Multimedia" section on the right and click on The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies.

Can't stand the suspense? Here are the top 10:

1. Apple
2. Google
3. Toyota Motor
4. General Electric
5. Microsoft
6. Tata Group
7. Nintendo
8. Procter & Gamble
9. Sony
10. Nokia

Using the Innovation in Industry link, you can view the top ten companies for each of the following industries: Financial Services; Pharma/Biotech/Health Care; Technology/Telecom; Entertainment/Media; Consumer Products; Autos; Industrial/Manufacturing; Retail; Energy; Travel/Tourism/Hospitality.

The 2008 Market Share Reporter is here!

Attention Marketing Students! The new 2008 Market Share Reporter can be found in print in the Reference Room of the library at call number HF5410 .M35 2008.

The 2 volumes are an annual compilation of reported market share data on companies, products, and services. It is a unique resource for competitive analysis, diversification planning, marketing research, and other forms of economic and policy analysis.

This is where you would learn that Lexus was the Leading Luxury Car Brand for 2006, selling 234,474 units and holding 17.2% of the market.

Wal-Mart was the Top Retailer by Market Share for 2006, with 10.6% of the market.

Progresso was the Top Soup Brand (Ready-to-Serve) for 2006, with 31.2% of the market.

The Top Beer Brewer for 2005-2006 was Anheuser-Busch with a whopping 48.5% of the market.

This is an excellent source to determine where a brand stands in the U.S. and world markets. Come over to the library and check it out!

Welcome to the Maag Business Blog!

Welcome WCBA faculty and business students to the new Maag Business Blog!

This will be used as a forum for communication between you and your library. I will keep you updated on new services and materials and also remind you of existing ones that you may not be aware of. In turn, you are encouraged to comment on the posts or bring up any business- or library-related topics that you are curious about.

Serving the students and faculty is the primary purpose of the library, so speak up and let me know what you're looking for!