World Economy and Finance The World Economy and Finance Research Programme came to an end on 31st January 2010. It began on 1st March 2004, and during its life 26 groups of researchers have investigated myriad inter-relationships between economic activity and finance. To mark the occasion, a conference, “Picking up the Pieces” was held at One Great George Street, Westminster, London, on the afternoon and early evening of Thursday 28th January 2010. Details, including slides from the presentations, can be found on our Events page. The Report “World Economy and Finance” offers a very brief sketch of the research carried out under the Programme. It contains contact details of leaders of the research groups who undertook the work and addresses of web sites to enable all those interested to obtain further details of any of the work done. The research of the World Economy and Finance Research Programme is of course more enduring; preserved in the many research reports, working papers, articles in scholarly journals, books, and conference presentations. It forms the basis for continuing research; and it contributes to debate on and formulation of public policy. Download: World Economy and FInance (PDF)

Prepared by John Driffill with contributions from Elvira Mambetisaeva, Luca Andriani, Federico di Pace, and Alexander Karalis-Isaac

Chatham House Report Edited by Paola Subacchi and John Driffill Beyond the Dollar: Rethinking the International Monetary System This report maps out proposals for a new international monetary order and looks at ways in which monetary authorities and political leaders can help prepare the ground for a new system and facilitate the transition. Key recommendations include: - A multicurrency reserve system for a multipolar world economy - Promote dialogue and policy coordination to provide stability, confidence and balanced adjustment - Strengthen the role and legitimacy of international institutions, including how the surveillance role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) can be reinforced to address more effectively the problem of exchange rates and payments disequilibrium. - Consideration of how the shape of the international monetary system in the 21st century will be significantly influenced by the interests and the requirements of the emerging powers, including how the dollar-based monetary system is no longer adequate for a larger and more integrated world economy. Download the paper here (PDF)

The issue with credit cards is that it's easy to mishandle them. That's what makes them a really common sinkhole. Numerous Americans proceed to utilize their cards without considering how they will pay their balances. The allure of momentary satisfaction, of getting things they need immediately and without having to pay at the time, can be an enticing situation for many customers and make credit card debt relief almost impossible to achieve.

It is a straightforward way to create this kind of obligation. Still, you cannot continuously place the blame on irresponsible customer spending. Sometimes, people don't have a choice. Just imagine a family incapable of paying for its necessary supplies in cash because dad misplaced his cash before going on the retreat.

Here are the warning signs to watch out for that may signal you're beginning to have a genuine issue with your credit card debts.

• You've maxed out the credit limit on most of your cards
• You can afford only the minimum payment required on your credit cards
• You continuously spend more than you earn each month
• You're not sure what could be on your credit reports or how much you really owe the bank
• You are constrained due to missed payments on a few of your bills in your efforts to arrange to pay others
• You're utilizing cash available on one credit card to make payments on the others
• You've been forced to use credit cards to make day-to-day purchases, such as movie tickets, necessary supplies or food
• Each member of your family only uses credit cards for purchases

In case you discover yourself laboring beneath a gigantic stack of credit card bills, don't lose hope. Some programs and companies might help you to recoup. You've got a plot of options to select from. Still, the foremost imperative thing is to get it your current situation. But you also have to know your options and what your next steps ought to be. 

Plus, you need to decide how you are going to handle your mounting credit card debt. First, don't just do nothing. That is the worst thing you could do. It's essential that you don’t ignore your credit card bills since if you do that, the interest will just keep compounding. 

If you are generally committed to the thought of getting rid of your credit card obligations, there are two strategies available. One is called snowballing your commitments, and the other is called obligation stacking.

Snowballing Strategy

The way it works is that you arrange your credit card obligations from the one with the lowest balance owed, to the one that is the highest. At that point, you focus all of your endeavors on paying off the card with the lowest balance, which can go reasonably fast.

Of course, you may need to continue making at least the minimum payments on the other cards. After you get that first card paid off, you'll then have additional cash available to start paying off the credit card with the second lowest balance and so on. 

Debt Stacking Strategy 

The debt stacking strategy for paying off your credit obligations is the inverse of the snowball strategy. It requires you to arrange your credit card obligations from the one with the most noteworthy interest rate down to the one with the most reduced.

At that point, you must do everything you can to pay off the card with the highest interest rate. The thought process behind the stacking strategy is that it'll save you the most money.

Never forget to inform debt counseling companies that your financial state is spiraling out of your control.  A professional view of your problems will allow you to get rid of your debts as soon as possible.

 

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