Social Media under the Microscope

Unless you have had your head in the sand, every other headline this week was about FACEBOOK.  Here are a sampling of articles that cover all of the angles.

• You can start here with an explanation of the Google and Facebook privacy issue.
• Then learn what data Facebook (and others) collects on users. (EVERYTHING!!!)
• Are you now curious to see exactly what Facebook has on you?  This tells you how to get that info for yourself.
• If that was scary - maybe you don’t want to see what Google has on you!
• Here is what FB is offering to help you with your privacy settings hoping to keep you from dropping your account altogether.  Is it sufficient?
• Will Facebook and its stock price recover from this scandal?

The Economy

• The stock market took a dive on Monday as new tariffs were announced. It then rose later in the week when news of "behind the scenes" conversations between trading partners broke, then it fell again, then it rose. This is what investor fear of trade wars looks like. This article explains trade wars including an interactive game. (interactive game)
• Passage of the Omnibus Spending Bill last week, on top of the Tax Reform Act, have increased concerns about the growing level of National Debt.  
• A citizenship question is to be added to the next Census. Why does it matter if a census is accurate? It is more than just a head count.

Investing

• Ron Lieber wants you to better understand the details of your 403b.
• How is this for a risky proposal (talk about the epitome of leveraged investing). Students using student loan money to invest in cryptocurrency. 

This Week in Tech

• Apple announced its plans to compete with Chromebook and Google Classroom this week.  
• “Xerox” and “Google” are now verbs.  Next up? To be “Amazoned?” Here is an excellent retrospective on the Amazon phenomenon.
• Have you heard of computer vision syndrome? Or Smartphone blindness?  This will make you put down that phone.

Life

• What happens when millennials can't afford their rent.
• With no more healthcare mandate, some have decided to go without health insurance.
• How well are you dealing with clutter? I must admit, I didn’t get past my clothing.

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Infographic of the Week: Compound Interest by Visual Capitalist (part our Wealth 101 Project with them)

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