Essays and Research Papers on Personal Finance

This 7-page paper discusses the effectiveness of income redistribution and if there is a case for its success. Topics covered include equity, positive externalities and the Pareto Effect. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This is a 3 page paper discussing the methods of manipulation of financial statements companies have used to inflate profits. Within the last several years, large multi-billion corporations such as WorldCom and Enron have collapsed due to the misrepresentation of their profits. While misstating profits and earnings, the companies encouraged further investments but in fact ...

This 11 page paper considers what impact the structural adjustment programmes (SAP’s) from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have had on African nations. The paper outlines the SAP’s and who they are meant to work and then looks at the positive results, such as increased stability and economic growth and the ...

This 3 page paper uses the book called Investing in Real Estate as a springboard for discussion. The paper supports the idea that investing in real estate is good but also points out pitfalls. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 12 page paper. Jay Cooke is generally credited as being the "first major investment banker, creator of the first "wire house," and the Financier of the Civil War (Trumbore 2000). Had it not been for Cooke, the Union would have had a far more difficult time financing the war. This essay talks about Jay ...

This 2.5-page paper focuses on discussion of forms of business depreciation(such as accelerated and straight-line) and describes the difference between book value and savage value. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the NASDAQ market, where it stands now and where it is headed. The types of investors who are attracted to this market are discussed. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 2.5 page paper compares the costs involved with leasing versus financing an automobile. The example used in this paper is the Chevy Tahoe, and discussions center around pros and cons of leasing vs. financing. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 10 page paper looks at the problem of globalization as it respects the continent of Africa. Solutions are explored. Bibliography lists 20 sources.

This 3 page paper examines these three types of economic systems. Examples are provided. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 2.5-page paper examines the free banking era in the U.S. during the 19th century and discusses the concept of "wildcat banking," as well as distributional and exchange effects on banknotes. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 3 page paper looks at the practice of insider lending during the nineteenth century, what it was, the purpose it served and why it had to change. The bibliography cites 1 source.

This 5 page paper looks at the arguments put forward by Kenneth L. Sokoloff who argues that the registration of patents provides evidence that inventiveness underpins economic growth. The writer consider the contradiction and support for this assumption and compares the approach taken by Robert Fogel in his book that looked at the role ...

This 2.5-page paper focuses on the business of financial intermediaries and their importance to the economy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper examines game theory, looking at a business application of the prisoners dilemma, and the theories of Nash, Cournot and Bertrand. The bibliography cites 6 sources.

This 15-page paper attempts to explain the statement that the banker is not a middleman, but rather, someone who authorizes people, in the name of society, to innovate (Schumpeter). The paper supports this assertion by providing research that discusses the role of banking and bankers. Bibliography lists 18 sources.

This 30-page paper analyzes economic trends under three U.S. presidents: George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Topics discussed include unemployment, stock market, earnings and interest rates. Also discussed are racial disparities in terms of unemployment and wages. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

This 2 page paper evaluates the importance of currency valuations. The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar is evaluated in respect to the past several years. A discussion on the importance of currency to business is also included. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper considers some cases of whistleblowers and the way in which they have brought cases and been treated. The paper argues that the new Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which gives some protection to whistleblowers is of limited value and that the real change which is required is a change in the culture ...

This 3 page paper looks at a few sectors, and also generally evaluates the American economy during its Civil War in the nineteenth century. Reconstruction is touched on as well. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

During 2001 the South African collapsed, with no logical or immediately apparent reason. This 5 page paper argues that there were many smaller causes that contributed to the fall, but that the overall cause was the lack of confidence in the government and the perception of inefficient economic management. This is supported by the recovery ...

This 2.5 page paper discusses the benefits of process based accounting (also referred to as activity based accounting). Also included are case studies as to how this system works. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing operations problems at ABC Company, which imports and distributes tiles. The company uses the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) approach to inventory management so as to gain the most advantageous price on tiles that it can. Of course this is in ABC’s best interests, but there are cost factors ...

This 4 page paper discusses the statement that “despite its’ limitations, the principle of historical cost is still used in accounting”. The paper makes reference to the departure form historical costing with the use of revaluation and asset impairment regulations and the way in which historical cost may also be seen to support other conventions ...

This 7-page paper focuses on amortization of goodwill versus impairment testing, as reported through FASB statements 141, 142 and 144. Bibliography lists 7 sources.