Pete’s blog

Musings about the world and the kitchen

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Entries from April 2008

Buy now, pay more later

April 25th, 2008 · 2 Comments

Was all ready to write this email, when I thought I should have a quick look at the numbers. I’m glad I did because I was just about to perpetuate the popular view. A handy tip – always check the numbers and beware of ass-umptions. Just because everyone says one thing and […]

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Tags: Unweekly email

A Friend’s Lament

April 25th, 2008 · No Comments

They say knowledge is power
But why does knowing make you feel so powerless?
To know pain, to know distress
But not having the power to ease the anguish.
To understand the problem
But not the explanation.
To know the answer
That cannot be taught.
They say that time heals all wounds,
But waiting makes mine deeper.
I know the pain and distress, I know […]

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Tags: Arbitrary stuff

Sub-prime and the ratings agencies

April 22nd, 2008 · No Comments

An excellent article from The New York Times on the sub-prime crisis looking at the ratings agencies’ role.
Magazine Preview: Triple-A Failure

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Tags: Arbitrary stuff

Interest rate pain and suffering

April 17th, 2008 · 5 Comments

So just to recap last week’s email quickly. Increasing interest rates decreases money supply and decreases inflation. Also increasing interest rates decreases economic growth as people borrow less and spend less. Conversely decreasing interest rates increases money supply and increases inflation. Decreasing interest rates fuel economic growth as people can borrow […]

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Tags: Unweekly email

Bond Markets: The Key to Africa’s Financial Independence?

April 10th, 2008 · 8 Comments

Abstract
Africa is the poorest and most indebted continent in the world. Many explanations and solutions have been given for this persistent poverty, but one factor that has received very little attention is the nature and structure of Africa’s debt. The majority of Africa’s debt is in foreign currency and is not tradeable, and […]

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Tags: Arbitrary stuff

An idiot’s guide to interest rates and money supply

April 9th, 2008 · 22 Comments

I’m going to talk this week about money supply, how interest rates affect money supply and how this impacts the rest of the economy. Going to try and write it simply so that people who find economics tricky can understand it – like Mr. Greenspan. I have a lot to comment about both […]

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Tags: Unweekly email

Fire

April 7th, 2008 · No Comments

I am fire.
I yearn to grow, to burn.
Fire grows, fire burns.
Unrestrained it consumes, unrestrained it can destroy.
Controlled it warms, controlled it can create.
I only wish to provide warmth, not to burn.
I only wish to create, not to destroy.
Where is my blacksmith who will fuel my passion and use me to create?
Where is my lover who […]

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Tags: Arbitrary stuff