Internet research project of economic statistics

In this project, you will be collecting and analyzing historical economic data. We will be using Excel to produce charts similar to our 'Piggy Bank' simple interest assignment. Instead of projecting forward, we will be looking back to answer the question:

What was the better investment choice in 1988 for the typical American worker?

• a passbook savings account with a savings and loan, or
• investing in the Dow Jones Industrial average

Stage one of the process: Data Collection
You need to find various sources of historic economic data for the years 1988 - 2007. You will be populating columns of an Excel spreadsheet by year. The top row should be 1988 and the bottom row 2007.

Your research should populate the following column elements (from left to right):

1. Median household income in the USA that year. Link to census page
2. Average savings rate for Americans (as a percentage of wages) that year
3. Inflation rate for that year
4. Closing value of the Dow Jones Industrial average for that year. Link to DOW figures
5. Average passbook savings interest rate for that year

You may collaborate with other(s) from your class on this project. Start collecting your data and populating your spreadsheet. Try to come up with formulas that will help you make your data chart meaningful.

Savings calculator

Go to our class section on E-Chalk and download the "Savings Calculator" I created (Excel). Complete the assignment based on the instructions in the first tab of the sheet.

Stimulus Plan II

The Senate is currently working out the details of the Economic Stimulus Bill. Changes are being made to the House Bill that was passed last week.

Your task:

1. Review this video: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1026584967 or read this article: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29082942


2. Define these two terms on your Blog: pork barrel and earmark (within the context of legislation).


3. Read this article to compare the House and Senate Bills. List a key difference between the two on your Blog
4. Explore shovelwatch to see if you can identify the Earmarks or Pork in the bill. Describe your favorite example of earmarks or pork on your blog. Another good place to find complaints about over-spending on this bill is in Libertarian Congressman, and Preidential Candidate, Ron Paul's weekly newsletter.