Tag: Finance

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Books

Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises by Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio…. Doesn’t this name sound familiar to literally any person who is interested in finance? Well of course it does! Ray Dalio is a billionaire and the CEO of the largest hedge fund on Earth: Bridgewater Associates. Every investor and trader probably watched at least one video or read an article on the structure of his fund. Precisely due to this, I highly recommend all of you to read his new book “Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises.” This book covers the multiple crises, which happened over the period between 1918 and 2018. Dalio analyses the period preceding the 30 most significant crises of our time and how governments dealt with these problems.

If you want to learn more about the Great Depression, the post-World War One crisis, the Russian Defolt of 1998, and similar crises, this book is a must-read for you! Prominent investors will also find this book interesting because Dalio gives his readers an abundance of knowledge that could be used to identify a new big debt crisis when it is still developing.

Have you read or are you planning on reading “Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises?” Let us know in the comments!

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Resources

Apps

Recently, our team reviewed several apps recommended for students interested in economics and politics. Below are summaries of the ones we enjoyed the most. Make sure to check them out and tell us in the comments what you think of them!

fxTrade

Initially the app was made for investors but for our purpose it contains a demo mode which is a great way to practice trading in real time! It challenges your knowledge and unexperienced people might have to do some research in order to crack the code. After a while it can become addicting as your balance is in constant fluctuation and your aim is to always stay in the positive side, getting more money!

Oanda Currency Converter

The main purpose of this App is to establish a general idea of converting currency. The application of this tool is limited but it is a great and simple way to understand and compare the value of the worlds fluctuating currencies. Ontop of that, it offers the option to add percentage rates which are actually offered by banks and credit companies.

Yahoo Finance

Anyone who is interested in the world of business knows that Yahoo is a leading resource. This app combines real-time information on the stock market with financial news. You can even track specific stocks which you are interested in! It might be overwhelming as this application is geared towards investors but it is a great way to gain insight.

Khan Academy

An useful app for learning Microeconomics and Macroeconomics as well as Statistics and History, which are relevant for your future Economics or International Relations studies! Moreover, you can prepare for SATs and APs which will help your application to the American University (read more about it on our University section page). The app provides you with lectures(videos and documents), quizzes and practice tests. Khan Academy also allows you to track you development and schedule personalised practices! Personally, it is my favourite and the most enjoyable way to study!

P.S. You can study for different subjects and educational systems, however, the programs in the App are mostly relevant for American education and prepare you for the exams in the US

Categories
Online Courses

The Global Financial Crisis

Economics/Finance

Platform: Coursera, Yale

Level: Intermediate

Over the course of four weeks, or 24 hours, you will learn about the causes, events, policy responses, and the aftermath of the recent financial crisis.

Interested? Click on this link to learn more: https://www.coursera.org/learn/global-financial-crisis?

Categories
Online Courses

Financial Markets

Economics/Finance

Platform: Coursera, Yale

Level: Beginner

The “Financial Markets” course will provide you with an overview of the ideas, institutions, and methods that enable humans to control challenges and stimulate ventures. This lecture series requires roughly 27 hours to complete, and is divided into four weeks.

If you are interested you can find out more here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/financial-markets-global

Categories
Books

The Finance Curse

The Finance Curse, which was written by Nicholas Shaxson, was absolutely mind-blowing. This book explains how different places have set up their whole tax system to be more appealing to companies who set up their headquarters in these countries. Although Shaxson focuses mainly on the case of London and tax havens such as Luxembourg, the book is nonetheless a must-read. Personally, I did not find the book too hard to understand even though I had no previous knowledge in the finance field when I started reading the book. In “The Finance Curse,” Shaxson explains how money flows from the customer to tax havens and how small companies may actually be owned by huge companies based in tax havens.