Tuesday 4 April 2023

[Post 232] How a Traded-In Apple iPhone Gets Refurbished | WSJ


Summary

So you just traded in your used Apple iPhone 11 at your wireless carrier to get a deal on a brand new iPhone 14. Where does that old phone go? How do companies make money on it?

WSJ’s Joanna Stern heads to a U.S. Mobile Phones facility in New Jersey following an iPhone 11 through the refurbished process to explain how the second-hand phone market is a booming business

Sunday 2 April 2023

[Post 231] Young people living a lavish lifestyle on credit card debt | 60 Minutes Australia


Summary

Back in 2008, the global economy was in meltdown and the financial markets were in chaos. Basically, greed, dodgy loans and bad debt were to blame. So you'd think people were a bit cautious with their credit cards. Some may be, but not the kids they call Generation Y. 

They're young, reckless, and they've racked up an astonishing $60 billion of debt. New cars, new clothes, new toys, no problem. Just whack it on the card. These kids had never known tough economic times, so they think they were invincible but they're in for the shock of their lives. 

Friday 24 March 2023

[Post 230] Why This Sign Is in Front of Banks | WSJ


Summary

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was created from the Banking Act of 1933 to prevent the bank runs seen during the Great Depression. With Silicon Valley and Signature Banks, the FDIC is doing what it was designed to do—cover insured deposits.

But it’s taken its promise even further, saying it will protect even the uninsured. Here’s how the FDIC works. 

Monday 20 March 2023

[Post 229] Working As A Food Delivery Rider: Are We Paid Enough? | Talking Point | Full Episode


Summary

In part two, host Steven Chia puts his pedal to the metal and becomes a food delivery rider. He finds out how dependent riders’ earnings are on platform algorithms and how certain incentives can make or break their daily income. He also investigates if their earnings that riders make is enough to last them through retirement and what more can be done for this group, besides the current protection measures out there.

Sunday 19 March 2023

[Post 227] Food Delivery Hustle: Is It That Lucrative? How Much Can You Make? | Talking Point | Full Episode


Summary

Flexible working hours, cash in hand and no qualifications needed – that’s what we see when we think about food delivery jobs. But is there more to it? The first of a four part series looks at the daily realities of everyday Singaporeans. Host Steven Chia finds out first-hand what it is like to be a delivery rider and if the algorithms of online platforms work against riders’ earnings. He also finds out what the consequences are of staying in this job for the long term.

Saturday 18 March 2023

[Post 226] What First, Business, And Premium Economy Classes Are Like On Singapore Airlines | Insider Business


Summary

I flew 40 hours from NYC to Singapore and back to see which cabin on Singapore Airlines was best. The first-class suite alone is one of the most expensive plane tickets in the world and can cost $23,000 round-trip. I even met YouTuber MrBeast on that flight. After reviewing the food, service, and seats, I had one favorite that might surprise you. Insider paid a media rate for these flights.

[Post 225] Why The U.S. Can’t End Poverty


Summary

37.9 million Americans are currently living in poverty, accounting for 11.6% of the total population. That’s despite the fact that America ranks first as the richest nation in the world in terms of GDP. Poverty in the U.S. is not only a humanitarian crisis but an economic one as well. About 11% of the federal budget, or $665 billion goes to economic security programs every year. Child poverty alone is estimated to cost the U.S. over $1 trillion based on the latest research. So how did poverty become such a big issue in the U.S. and why is it so difficult to end it?