Archives for October 2011
Quiz: How “Financially Capable” Are You?
By Glenn Ruffenach Quick question: Do you think you are “financially capable”? In other words, are you able to make ends meet, plan ahead, and choose and manage financial products? In short, do you have the skills and knowledge necessary to make good financial decisions? Don’t be too quick to say “yes.” That quality – “financial capability” – is at the heart of a new and disturbing report from the Pension Research Council at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. The study finds that levels of financial knowledge in the U.S. – including an understanding of retirement planning – are…
Oil and gas industry to drive La job growth
Industrial construction related to Baton Rouge’s boisterous petrochemical and area oil and gas industries will drive strong job gains in the Capital Region over the next two years, a forecast shows. The region is expected to gain 4,400 jobs in 2012 and another 3,300 in 2013, according to the 30th annual “Louisiana Economic Outlook: 2012 and 2013,” co-authored by retired LSU economist Loren Scott, a long-time follower of the state’s economy. Baton Rouge — the state’s second-largest metro region after New Orleans — will see the most job gains, according to the report, though the rate of growth is not…