When Hospital Nurses Go On Strike, The Death Rate Increases
Posted on April 3rd, 2010
By Jacob Goldstein
Hospital death rates increase by about one fifth when nurses go on strike, according to a working paper the NBER published today.
Another way of parsing the numbers: There is one additional death for every 286 patients admitted to the hospital during a strike.
Sure, it’s a somewhat intuitive finding. But it’s still interesting to see the numbers and get a sense of the magnitude.
“Lots of people know that strikes are bad, but I don’t know that anybody’s put a number on the human suffering that occurs as a result,” Jonathan Gruber, one of the authors of the paper, told me when I called him this afternoon.
Gruber’s an MIT economist who has worked with the Obama administration.
More people to get access to bank accounts
Posted on April 1st, 2010
According to recent report many more people will be able to get access to bank account facilities, after plans were announced by the government to force banks to offer bank account facilities to all. Under the plans, which were revealed in the recent budget, banks may have to offer at least a basic bank account to everyone that is legally entitled to have banking facilities in the UK. With banks having been at the receiving end of much criticism over the past year this is just one of the measures that are being looked at to try and tighten the way in which the UK’s banks operate.
The government claims that there are around 1.75 million people in the UK that have not got access to banking facilities at present, and hopes that this move will help to ensure that a large proportion of these people are provided with access to bank accounts. M
Financial Components of a Business Plan
Posted on April 1st, 2010
So now you are planning to startup a business. There are some elements in making a business plan. One of the elements is financial component. Financial data usually come after business concept and management team. However, it doesn’t mean that financial is less important than the two components.
The investors will certainly take a look at the financial data that are usually in form of charts, tables, formulas and spreadsheets. They understand that the information in the financial section is the strength of the business. They will judge whether the business is qualified for investment or not by looking at the financial information. There are three financial statements to provide an accurate picture of a company’s profitability. They are a cash flow statement, an income statement, and a balance sheet.
Cash-flow statement is the critical information for business. It shows how much cash you will need to meet obligation. Meanwhile, income statement is a simple report that shows the general ability of the business. It shows the picture of previous financial models such as revenue, expenses, capital, and cost of goods. The last part that should be in the financial section is balance sheet. It is an annual basis of a business plan that provides financial information including assets, liabilities, and equity. When you have got the three financial components, means that you are ready to start your business.
Are Eco-Friendly Funerals More Cost-Effective?
Posted on March 31st, 2010
The only two sure things in life are death and taxes. We all know that April 15th is looming, so I thought I’d look at the other side of my opening truism. We’re all going to die, sure, but how can we encourage our survivors to make our own post-life existence as eco-friendly and “green” as possible? Will greener choices save money? And, let’s be real: what is the “ick” factor?
The only thing I knew about green funerals was what I saw on the last-season episode of “Six Feet Under.” One of the men who ran a family funeral home died, and his brother pushed the family to follow a greener, more eco-conscious funeral plan. The scene was awk
Post Office banking for the vulnerable
Posted on March 28th, 2010
The Post Office is set to launch a new range of banking services aimed at people on low incomes.
The plans the revamp the institution, backed by £180 million government funding, will help to ensure the future of the group’s 11,500 branches.
New accounts will include a “weekly budgeting account”, designed to help people on low incomes save money by paying their bills using direct debit.
Paying bills by direct debit can result in discounts of up to £100 per year.
Also to be launched is a children’s savings account, and a Post Office mortgage targeted at first time buyers.
Pat McFadden, business minister, said: “The Post Office can provide a range of good value, simple financial products for everyone.
“These are the clear messages that people have given us and we are acting on them – a major step towards making the Post Office a sustainable neighbourhood banking service.”
MyFinancialAdvice.com Helps the Average Person Find a Financial Advisor
Posted on March 28th, 2010
Many companies send me press releases and e-mail trying to get my attention. Some of these companies suck. Others are fine, but I don’t have the time to look at them. Every once in a while, though, I find what seems like a true gem, something I think would be of real use for Get Rich Slowly readers.
Last week, I spent an hour chatting with the folks from MyFinancialAdvice.com. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I think this is one of those true gems, a service that many of you may want to consider.