• Personal Finance

    Prince, Star Trek’s Pavel Chekov, and the Importance of Getting a Will

    Recent troubles following the untimely deaths of entertainers such as singer-songwriter Prince and actor Anton Yelchin (most recognizable for his portrayal of Star Trek character Pavel Chekov in modern reboots of the beloved science-fiction franchise, including the 2016 film “Star Trek Beyond”) have highlighted the value of having a will. On American Public Media’s Marketplace Morning Report® for Thursday, August 4, 2016, host David Brancaccio talked with Chris Farrell, senior economics contributor for Marketplace, about the importance of getting a will. Farrell noted that despite the benefits, “more than half of Americans don’t have a will.” During the broadcast, Brancaccio…

  • Economics

    What Are the Odds of Winning the Lottery?

    Maybe it's the thrill, or maybe it's the dream of striking it rich or even just the possibility of securing a better future. In any case, every year, Americans spend over $68 billion on lottery tickets or about an average of $200 per person, but what are the odds of winning the lottery?