Any thoughts on Forbes Magazine?

[Pendrench]

Hello -

In a semi-recent post I asked for suggestions concerning books and/or magazines that might help increase my understanding of economic issues (thanks again to everyone who responded!).

Anyway, just yesterday I received an offer in the mail - 12 issues of Forbes Magazine for $9.00.

Granted, it's not a lot of money, but (other than skimming through a copy every now and again) I'm not that familiar with the magazine's content.

So I wanted to hear what others thought....is it worth the $9.00?

Thanks!

Tim

[exboyfil]

1. Best magazine for understanding

economic issues is The Economist in my humble opinion. I read Forbes for a while, but I think the focus is more on microeconomics and how macroeconomics impacts your portfolio. If you are looking at economics as more of a policy concern (along with understanding what is going on in other countries) The Economist is a better choice.

It all depends on what you are trying to do. It also depends on how much prior instruction you have had in economics (you can pick it up as you go along but reading a good Economics book is always helpful). I would recommend getting two different perspectives (such as Sowell and Krugman). Maybe not popular to hear both sides on this board, but I have always found it useful.

[Pendrench]

5. Thanks for your reply.

Hi exboyfil -

It's funny that you mention The Economist...I just recently subscribed (received my first copy this past weekend), so I'm wondering if that's what triggered the Forbes solicitation (?)

My goal is to improve my general understanding of the economy (and economic terminology) so I'm better informed about world, national, and local issues...I took some ECON courses way back in college (1980's) so it's been awhile since I had any formal instruction.

Thanks again for your reply.

Tim

[Warpy]

7. The Economist is right of center but mostly meat

Forbes is farther right and the only articles I've found interesting are the fluff articles. I find their economic perspective to be unhelpful, at best. It's like watching CNBC for stock tips.

As for a better overview of economics, I've found the "for dummies" series to be really helpful in a survey course sort of way. Here's "Economics for Dummies:" http://www.amazon.com/Economics-Dummies-Sean-Masaki-Flynn/dp/0764557262

[Pendrench]

8. Thanks for the reply!

Hi Warpy -

That was the impression I had about Forbes, too (the few times I skimmed through the odd issue every now and again)...I also appreciate the suggestion about the "For Dummies" series.

Tim

[Warpy]

15. I've made extensive use of that series

when I've needed a crash course in something I know nothing about. Most of the books are informative and very well written.

[customerserviceguy]

2. You have to figure that any 'popular' business magazine

is going to be right-wing, but that said, if you can keep that in mind, they're all pretty much the same. Except "Money" magazine, I had a year's subscription, and it's nearly worthless.

Why pay? You can go to www.magsformiles.com and get 26 issues of Forbes for 1,200 Delta miles, for instance. There are a lot of ways to get airline miles without flying, my favorite website for that is www.freefrequentflyermiles.com - the guy who runs that site always features promotions that give you miles for simply signing up for things that cost no money. Since I don't fly Delta, I find that they're a great source of free magazines.

[Pendrench]

9. Hi customerservice guy - thanks for replying.

That was my concern....everytime I've been tempted to subscribe to a financial magazine I would notice that the editorials (and even the articles) would tend to have a "right-wing" spin to them.

I appreciate your suggestion about magsformiles.com....unfortunately, I've only flown twice in my life - once to Barbados on my honeymoon, and then the second time was the flight back home...it's not (so much) that I'm afraid of flying, per se....I am....but I think it has more to do with being extremely claustrophobic.

Thanks again!

Tim

[customerserviceguy]

17. Like I said

You don't have to get into that tin can in order to earn miles, just go to Gary's site and rack up what you can for free while keeping both feet on the ground!

[Pendrench]

18. Hi customerserviceguy...I must have missed that point when I first read your post..sorry about that.

I'll be sure to check out Gary's site as you suggested.

Thanks again -

Tim

[Po_d Mainiac]

3. Forbes? Good for shaving a dozen-or-so IQ points off the top. n/t

[Pendrench]

10. Hi Po_d Mainiac -

That seems to be the consensus...I'm glad I asked and saved the $9

Thanks for replying!

Tim

[snot]

4. Try reading the daily Stock Market Watch threads on DU

E.g., http://www.democraticunderground.com/111612504 .

Forbes will tell you what the 1% wants you to think, so that'll tell you where the sheep are going – which can be useful, too.

[Pendrench]

11. Hi snot -that's a very good suggestion.

I'm unfamiliar with some of the terminology used in the discussions, but (of course) that's one of the reasons that I'm trying/hoping to improve my understanding of economics - so it will make more sense to me.

Thanks!

Tim

[woofless]

6. Too slippery.

Charmin is cheaper.

[Pendrench]

12. Hi woofless - that's the impression that I'm getting.

It's a shame that there doesn't seem to be a progressive financial magazine out there...at least I haven't found one, yet.

Thanks!

Tim

[eridani]

14. Try Dollars and Sense

http://www.dollarsandsense.org/

Online and also a print magazine.

[Pendrench]

19. Hi eridani - thank you very much...I was able to check out the site earlier this evening...

and I think I might get the subscription...thanks to the suggestion!

Tim

[AnneD]

13. And you can never get those...

color ink stains to wash out of your under ware.

I never wasted my money on those magazines or newspapers. They will never get my hard earned money. Go to the library.

Remember, they are trying to sell you something or brain wash you. Between reading DU's SMW and WEE threads and the odd book or two about economics and personal finance-I have what I think is a better than average grasp of economics. Beware, if they are dazzling you with bull shit, watch your pocketbook.

[Pendrench]

20. Hi AnneD...that's great advice, we have a couple of libraries near our house, so I plan on visiting

both of them this weekend.

I appreciate your response - thanks!

Tim

[hay rick]

16. Online resource: Khan Academy.

link: http://www.khanacademy.org/

Go to the site and check it out. They have video courses on several broad economic subjects and a few narrower economic topics of current interest. The subjects are broken down into a series of short videos. Each video runs about 10 minutes and they are geared to the lay person.

Some of the subject areas:

Banking and money (25 videos)
Credit crisis (13 videos)
Finance (almost 200 videos)
Microeconomics (71 videos)
Paulson bailout (14 videos)
more...

[Pendrench]

21. Hi hay rick - thank you very much for responding to my OP.

I will be sure to check out those videos.

Thanks again!

Tim