Euler-equation methods for solving nonlinear dynamic models involve parameterizing some policy functions. We argue that in the typical macroeconomic model with valuable leisure, labor function is particularly convenient for parameterizing. This is because under the labor-function...

Parametrized Expectation Algorithm (PEA) is a powerful tool for solving nonlinear stochastic dynamic models. However, it has an important shortcoming: it is not a contraction mapping technique and thus, does not guarantee finding the solution. We suggest a simple modification that enhances the...

Does a heterogeneous agents version of a neoclassical model with labor-leisure choice replicatethe distributions of consumption and working hours observed in the cross-sectional data? Doesincorporating heterogeneity enhance the aggregate performance of the representative agentmodel? We address...

This paper modifies the standard one-sector growth model with uninsurable idiosyncratic risk and liquidity constraints to include multiple types of quasi-geometric consumers. For a calibrated version of the model, we show that a modest difference between the quasi-geometric discounting...

This paper studies the effect of sovereign risk on capital flows from rich to poor nations in the context of a two-country model, where Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) creates positive externalities in domestic production. We show that if externalities are large, a developing country never...

First, we propose a more efficient implementation of the Smolyak method for interpolation, namely, we show how to avoid costly evaluations of repeated basis functions in the conventional Smolyak formula. Second, we extend the Smolyak method to include anisotropic constructions; this allows us to...

We introduce an envelope condition method (ECM) for solving dynamic programming problems. The ECM method is simple to implement, dominates conventional value function iteration and is comparable in accuracy and cost to Carroll’s (2005) endogenous grid method. Codes are available.

We show how to enhance the performance of a Smolyak method for solving dynamic economic models. First, we propose a more efficient implementation of the Smolyak method for interpolation, namely, we show how to avoid costly evaluations of repeated basis functions in the conventional Smolyak...