In the world of personal finance, where consumers constantly are forced to make decisions about daily cash-flow and paying bills, the availability of up-to-date reliable financial information is critical.

When it comes to adjusting public spending, getting the balance right is important. Fiscal adjustment is taking place in economies around the world, but risks remain high.

As the economic crisis abates, there is an emerging consensus that a better safety net is needed to enable countries with good policies to insure against bad outcomes, especially when they are innocent bystanders.

What advanced countries need is clarity of intent, an appropriate calibration of fiscal targets, and adequate structural reforms. With a little help from monetary policy, and from their (emerging market) friends.