These days, the majority of questions I'm asked have less to do strictly with law, and more to do with wise economic decisions. Should I sue over this $200 dispute? Is it a good idea to hire an attorney to review that contract? Is it better to rent or buy?
The answers to these questions require less legal analysis and more information on the viability of the alternatives. Is the $200 dispute worth the price of the filing fees and the trouble going to court (in some instances, the answer is "yes")? Is the price of the lawyer worth the types of things that you'll find out about the contract before you sign it? When looking at the price of the rental and the costs of the purchase, versus the possible change in value of the purchased property and the costs of eventually seeing any realized profit from that value, does the overall potential profit or loss justify the purchase or the rental... and then add in the emotional attachment to the purchase or the feeling of security of owning a property rather than using property someone else owns... it's a complicated formula, but as a lawyer, I can help someone think through the parts of the formula, I can't make the final decision for them.
I've even been talking to friends (and the kids) about the economic viability of issues that have nothing to do with the law. Is it cheaper to eat cheap fast food or to buy groceries and cook at home? Is it healthier? What kinds of things should I think about in terms of saving time, money, calories and health benefits?
I suspect it might be a good thing to start blogging about those issues, so I will start an "economics in the real world" blog, and see what happens.
Go take a look at it and let me know if you think it's a worthwhile effort? And if you have some good ideas to contribute, please... join in!
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