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An analytical approach to buffer-stock saving

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  • Yi Wen

Abstract

The profession has been longing for closed-form solutions to consumption functions under uncertainty and borrowing constraints. This paper proposes an analytical approach to solving buffer-stock saving models with both idiosyncratic and aggregate uncertainties. It is shown analytically that an individual?s optimal consumption plan under uncertainty follows the rule of thumb: Consumption is proportional to a target wealth with the marginal propensity to consume depending on the state of the macroeconomy. The method is applied to addressing two long- standing puzzles: the \"excess smoothness\" and \"excess sensitivity\" of consumption with respect to income changes. Some of my findings sharply contradict the conventional wisdom.

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  • Yi Wen, 2009. "An analytical approach to buffer-stock saving," Working Papers 2009-026, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedlwp:2009-026
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    Cited by:

    1. Chien, YiLi & Wen, Yi, 2021. "Time-inconsistent optimal quantity of debt," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Chen, Yunmin & Chien, YiLi & Wen, Yi & Yang, C.C., 2021. "Are unconditional lump-sum transfers a good idea?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

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    Keywords

    Saving and investment; Income;

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