Book excerpt: Can economics help you lose weight? How does an emissions trading scheme work? Why are bananas so expensive? What really goes on inside the federal budget lock up? How can you spot a zombie bank? Does Australia take too many refugees? Why do boy bands make so much money? From asylum seekers to bananas, Jessica Irvine's weekly Irvine Index in The Sydney Morning Herald uses fun facts to get to the heart of our biggest political and economic debates. Part economics lesson, part quirky observation on modern life, this collection of easily digestible, bite-sized nuggets of factual goodness will help transform even the most economically illiterate person into an insightful commentator at their next work drinks or weekend barbeque. 'Jessica has a rare ability to communicate complex economic theories in a simple and entertaining way. But I still don't understand her obsession with zombies.' - Ross Gittins, Economics Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald