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Business Columnist

Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor is the author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates: Invest Before Paying Off Debt and Other Tips Your Professor Didn’t Teach You. Through his “Smart Money” column, and blog www.bankers-anonymous.com, he pursues the mission of making complex financial topics simple.

Stories By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Lottery tickets, rat holes part of angel investors’ game

Michael Taylor critiques this book on angel investing with a skeptical eye. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Understanding the high cost of nonbank business loans

Michael Taylor reviews a few “convenient” small business loans that are extraordinarily expensive. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Today’s economic reality is a glass four-fifths full

Michael Taylor says let’s lift our heads from the daily headlines of woe to see how we’re really doing in early 2023. His opinion? It’s not so bad. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Math beats insurance disguised as investor products

A website deploys math and rationality to combat marketing hype around expensive products such as universal life insurance. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Union, management vie for the soul of Starbucks

Michael Taylor examines the soulful struggle between Howard Schultz’s view of the world and … Howard Schultz’s view of the world. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: More shame for TX members of Congress trading stocks

Several Texas representatives in Congress continue to trade individual stocks. So Michael Taylor will continue to name and shame. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Why we should not fret over fake debt ceiling crisis

Michael Taylor explains why he’s not worried about approaching the debt ceiling, even as many groups have incentives to maximize fear about a so-called crisis. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Starbucks’ tactics may outlast proponents of union

Even amid victories for Workers United, Starbucks may be winning by losing very slowly. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Starbucks unionization a story to watch in 2023

Last year’s most interesting story in national labor relations is likely to continue captivating in the year ahead. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Having fun seeing what AI thinks about San Antonio

While declaring it “frighteningly excellent,” The Smart Money S.A. declares his tests show ChatGPT is not infallible. But it’s sure a lot of fun. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Fusion breakthrough spurs visions of energy future

In light of the recent energy breakthrough, what would a future of energy abundance look like? By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Why you need to ignore financial predictions for ’23

Michael Taylor reminds readers that market predictions are worthless. Always picture a wizard cap and crystal ball that should accompany such forecasts. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Checking in on the new NIL market

A newly legal sports industry will create fortunes for marketers — and a few fortunate athletes as well. But it doesn’t come without new challenges. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: We can learn from the great crypto meltdown of 2022

Michael Taylor shares insights on the evolution — and implosion — of cryptocurrency as a financial experiment, as well as a little glee over its recent troubles. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Pros and cons of the new tax on share buybacks

Michael Taylor concludes that the new excise tax on share repurchases, which takes effect in 2023, offers more positives than negatives. Michael Taylor

Taylor: pros and cons of the new tax on share buybacks

Michael Taylor concludes that the new excise tax on share repurchases, which takes effect in 2023, offers more positives than negatives. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: A fall update on billionaire philosopher kings

Elon Musk and Sam Bankman-Fried in particular have had a terrible November. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Why members of Congress should stop trading stocks

The correct amount of individual stock trading by members of Congress is zero. Until that happens, Michael Taylor names and shames. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: Plan to move Missions is Weston’s field of dreams

The next step is to ask for a publicly funded stadium. My plea is that officials resist the urge to provide public housing for a private for-profit business. By Michael Taylor

Taylor: The case for non-maximalism in energy-climate debate

Can we live with being a bit more messily compromised for a while? Consider the recent attacks on art and new dystopian literature. By Michael Taylor