Kiasunomics©2: Economic Insights For Everyday Life

by Sumit Agarwal, Swee Hoon Ang, Tien Foo Sing

Have you ever wondered how one can save from taxi rides during surge pricing? Why you would shop more under sunny weather? What effects does a bankrupt neighbour have on residents living in the estate? How do people perceive risks during the coronavirus pandemic? Kiasunomics©2 explores these issues and more in a light-hearted and easy-to-understand manner, by showing the economic ramifications of individual choices through the lens of Teng, the protagonist of this book, and his family and friends. Based on research from the National University of Singapore, the book explains the influences and consequences of the decisions made by all of us, using simple economic logic. This sequel to Kiasunomics©, a finalist at the Singapore Book Awards 2018, fast forwards a couple of years and follows Teng in his mid-career as a taxi driver. Ferrying passengers for a living, Teng has to grapple with challenges arising from ride hailing services. As one of the breadwinners in a three-generation household, Teng's ability to make wise financial decisions in a fast-changing world becomes increasingly important in attaining his dream of moving his family up the socio-economic ladder. This book covers hot and timely topics, which falling prices of old Housing and Development Board flats, rising land prices, wealth disparity among households, the Central Provident Fund retirement policy, regulation of car population, ride hailing services, mobile payments, and the coronavirus pandemic. These are unravelled through the authors' application of research findings. The book brings to light the relevance of research, often seen as esoteric, on our daily life and decision making. It also bears on policy implications, particularly issues on transportation, health, housing, and retirement.

303 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2020

About the author

Sumit Agarwal, MD, MLA Group of Industries, Kanpur was born in 1975. After completing his five year integrated course in Chemistry and a minor in management from IIT Kanpur, MBA-Marketing from NM Institute, he is now managing a group of chemical manufacturing industries in Kanpur (www.mlagroup.com )

A strong nationalist at heart, he is running an NGO, PRERNA (www.prernaa.org ), which is dedicated to the development of a stronger India. PRERNA is currently partnering management of 6 adopted government primary schools with an objective to facilitate best quality education in Government schools. He has been awarded by the Governer of UP for his contribution to primary education. He is also the founder of Kasauti, a consortium of NGOs to aid clean and answerable politics.

Through his first book “The Four Patriots” he aims to introduce and popularize a new genre- patriotic fiction, to encourage and inspire people to actively participate in the country’s development. Apart from the fact that the book is being published by Rupa Publishers, the leading publishing house in the country, the story has already been adopted for a movie by a leading production house.

He is also a music composer, lyricist, singer and writer. Over the last two years, he has composed many soulful songs based on relationships, patriotism and human emotions. Two of his songs have been aired on MTV Indies this year. His music videos can be viewed on his Youtube Channel, Sumit Agarwal,or on his website www.sumitagarwal.net.

An adept multi-tasker, he is also a speaker on topics related to nation building, work life balance and multi-tasking.