J. Michael CollinsFetzer Family Chair in Consumer and Personal Finance | Professor of Consumer Science

I study consumer decision-making in the financial marketplace, including the role of public policy in influencing credit, savings, and investment choices. I am involved in studies of household finance and well-being supported by leading foundations and federal agencies. I bring nearly a decade of applied experience to his research.

Selected Publications

Bryan, B., & Collins, J. M. (2024). Locked out of banking: The limits of financial inclusion for formerly incarcerated individuals. Social Science Research, 122(August 2024), 103050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103050

Hembre, E., Collins, J. M., & Wylde, S. (2024). A rising tide lifts all homes? Housing quality improvements for low-income households since the 1980s. Journal of Public Economics, 233(May 2024), 105102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105102

Moulton, S., Berger, L. M., Brown, M., Dwyer, R., Collins, J. M., Houle, J., & Rhodes, A. (2024). Inequality in high-cost borrowing and unemployment insurance generosity in U.S. states during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(9), 1676-1688. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01922-8

Collins, J. M., Halpern-Meekin, S., Harvey, M., & Hoiting, J. (2023). “If I don’t have credit, I don’t have anything”: Perspectives on the credit scoring system among mothers with low incomes. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 57(4), 1605-1622. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12561

Collins, J. M., & Kulka, A. (2023). Saving by buying ahead: Stockpiling in response to lump-sum payments. Fiscal Studies, 44(4), 451-484. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-5890.12349

Featured Media

• PBS Wisconsin, Economic indicators, vibes and the 2024 vote in Wisconsin
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Main Street Agenda town hall meeting on inflation

See Also

• Op-eds
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Can you afford an emergency? UW survey shows many don’t have $400 to spare. Blame inflation.