Why?

Why aren’t there more women in science and engineering?When it comes to the huge and persistent gender gap in science and technology jobs, the finger of blame has pointed in many directions: sexist companies, boy-friendly science and math classes, differences in aptitude.Women make up almost half of today's workforce, yet hold just a fraction of the jobs in certain high-earning, high-qualification fields. They constitute 20 percent of the nation's...

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Musings

How many times has this happened to you? You leave work, decide that you need to get groceries on the way home, take a cellphone call and forget all about your plan. Next thing you know, you've driven home.What gives? Why are we as a species so often so desperately poor at achieving our goals? The problem is that evolution failed to realize that remembering goals is not like recognizing objects. When your brain sees a lion, the thing to do is to...

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Finance and Investments

Investors be worried...The next 12 months will provide you with the best returns you are likely to get for some years.A study of the last eight US recessions shows the US sharemarket (Which is still closely correlated with other world markets) hit their lowest points 3 – 6 months before the economy dips to its lowest ebb.One commentator suggested the markets should start to recover around June – markets tend to recover before recessions end and,...

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Womenomics

Once upon a time our DIY activities were restricted to cooking and sewing – but not anymore. In the great Kiwi tradition of self sufficiency, manual competence and can doism, we are now joining the hammer brigade. Smart marketers in home improvement companies have latched onto this and are offering courses in home maintenance.In the States there has been an explosion of women targeted self help books, videos and radio shows – including one called...

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Everyday Money

Well I love market research especially that which tell me what I am doing with my every day money – and in comparison with Australian women. You’ll be surprised to know that we spend more than the Aussies, proportionate to our income. But at least we get it right – we spend more on premium products and indulgences such as shoes, designer clothing, haircuts and pamper sessions. What do you spend your money ...

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Who's Counting?

The government is counting. It appears that we have embraced KiwiSaver in numbers which have far exceeded Cullen’s expectations. Initial projections were for 270,000 people to sign up in the first year but to date over 600,000 people have joined.It’s not surprising because we can count – we count $1000 kick-start from the Government, up to $20 a week, and $40 a year towards fees. What’s not to like? And the funding is coming from the taxes we p...

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