Money Money

Confused about the current economy? If you get as confused as I do when you read the endless articles and editorials about the declining value of the dollar, one of our new books might give you some help.

Inflation is the change in prices paid by consumer for goods and services. Or more simply - a dollar doesn't buy what it used to. The change in the dollar's value over the years is easily seen by looking at the Department of Labor's Inflation Calculator.

Want to trace how the price has gone up? A nice way to compare costs is the reference book Value of a Dollar : Prices and Incomes in the United States, 1860-2004 (R 338.5 V215 2004). This will track the cost of specific items such as milk and potatoes over the years.

Still confused? What about the Federal Reserve? Almost all economic articles refer to raising and/or lowering the interest rate but most seem to assume we all know what this means. This book might help - The ABC of the Federal Reserve System : Why the Federal Reserve System was called into being, the Main features of its organization, and How it works, by Edwin Walter Kemmerer (332.1 K31a). Sometimes it is easier to see rather than read - the DVD - Inside the world's mightiest bank (DVD 332.11 I57) - explains how, as the world's largest bank, the Federal Reserve sets interest rates and decides when to print more money. The ability to print money, who wouldn't love that job!

Other useful titles:

• Demise of the Dollar- and Why it's Great for your Investments, by Addison Wiggin. 338.542 W655d
• Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, by Frederic S. Mishkin. 332 M678e
• Financial System and the Economy : Principles of Money & Banking, by Maureen Burton and Ray Lombra. 332.12 B974f
• Inflation and the Theory of Money, by R.J. Ball. 332.41 B187i
• Secrets of Money : A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy, by Braun Mincher. 332.4 M663s
• Wall Street Lingo : Thousands of Investment Terms explained Simply, by Nora Peterson. R 332.603 P442w

Ask the Librarian to find more titles or research a different topic!