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Updated 2024-05-19 05:16
Why your bad boss will probably lose the remote-work wars
Since 2020, office workers have waged an epic battle to work remotely. They're mostly winning.
The economics behind 'quiet quitting' — and what we should call it instead
Is "quiet quitting" about being lazy or setting healthy boundaries? Is it even real? We dig into the data and ask workers themselves about what it means to them.
An economist studied popular finance tips. Some might be leading you astray
A Yale professor of finance read through 50 popular finance books to see how they square with traditional economic theory.
Inside the rise of 'stealerships' and the shady economics of car buying
Car dealerships deploy tricks and traps to make as much money as they can from you. Here's what I learned when trying to buy a new car.
Someone stole my truck. I got a crash course on the wild black market for stolen cars
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, automakers began adopting an anti-theft technology that dramatically reduced car thefts. But why did it take so long?
What People Really Make (and Spend) Behind Bars
The Marshall Project asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.
Hot econ summer: The soundtrack to Planet Money Summer School
It's a summer of macro at Planet Money. Celebrate hot econ summer with our playlist.
Why the American Dream is more attainable in some cities than others
A blockbuster new study reveals a key factor explaining rates of upward mobility.
Want to lay off workers more smoothly? There's a startup for that
The tech industry is in turmoil. But there's at least one startup that is thriving these days, and it's one that's helping other startups lay off workers.
Meet the new GDP prototype that tracks inequality
A team of economists offers America a new way to look at economic growth. It's a sort of GDP prototype that tracks the well-being of different income groups.
Lean Out: Employees Are Accepting Lower Pay In Order To Work Remotely
A new study finds American companies are using remote work as a way to avoid giving workers raises; so much so that it's helping to moderate inflation.
The fight to fund abortions in post-Roe America
In post-Roe America, money is even more determinative of who can get an abortion and who can't. Abortion funds are trying to close the gap, but they are now forced to navigate a murky legal landscape.
Be Our (Remote) Intern
It's gonna be different, that's for sure. But we promise it will be fun and educational.
The strange underground economy of tree poaching
A new book dives deep into the fascinating criminal world of tree theft and efforts to combat it.
The tale of a distressed American town on the doorstep of a natural paradise
The town of Orick sits just steps away from Redwood National Park. It has prime real estate for recreation and tourism, so why are its motels and restaurants shuttered and its residents impoverished?
Why The Racial Wealth Gap Is So Hard To Close
A new study shows the simple math of why — absent radical measures — America's racial wealth gap won't be closing anytime soon.
Fear The Vibe Shift: Are We Entering A Recession?
Despite low unemployment, solid spending, and continued job growth, signs are flashing that the U.S. economy is headed for another downturn.
Micro-Face Auction: The Most Collectible Comic Book Of All Time?
Will our Micro-Face comic book become the most collectible item ever created? Find the full Planet Money Superhero series here.
Ben Bernanke's Lessons From 'The Great Inflation'
In a new book, Ben Bernanke explains how and why the U.S. Federal Reserve has evolved to play such an important role in the economy.
The case for revolutionizing child care in America
A new book argues that greater public support for parents is critical for the brain development of America's kids.
The Work-From-Home climate challenge
Companies might have thought a silver lining from the pandemic was that remote work was slashing emissions. They're thinking again.
How palm oil prices are affecting the global economy
The prices of cooking oil are rising. Why that could put global security at risk.
Who is the real Elvira Nabiullina?
Russian central bank chief Elvira Nabiullina has cultivated the image of a nerdy, opera-loving technocrat, trapped in place by Putin's decision to go to war in Ukraine. It's not that simple.
Will Elon Musk turn activist at Twitter?
Musk is now Twitter's largest shareholder. That gives him a legal right to coerce and cajole and persuade and shout about what the company does.
How Russia rescued the ruble
The Russian ruble lost nearly half its value when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, it has been the top-performing currency in the world.
How Putin Conquered Russia's Oligarchy
In 2000, Vladimir Putin began targeting oligarchs who did not bend to his authority. The loyalists who remained — and new ones who subsequently got rich — became like ATM machines for the president.
How 'shock therapy' created Russian oligarchs and paved the path for Putin
In the 1990s, reformers adopted a radical economic program in Russia. It devastated ordinary Russians and created a new class of oligarchs. And it explains the rise of Putin and the leader he is today
The Strange Billionaire Who Revolutionized The Bond Market
A new book looks at the rise and fall of "The Bond King." It's a wild ride.
How sanctions are pinning down the Russian economy
The Russian economy is cratering under the weight of Western sanctions. Russian policymakers are struggling with how to respond — and what to wear.
How a wrinkle in the oil futures market has clogged America's oil pump
The U.S. is still the largest producer of oil, but we're a long way from pumping what we were before the pandemic. Blame backwardation.
Why America Has Been So Stingy In Fighting Child Poverty
The U.S. has a long tradition of favoring old people over kids. A new paper investigates why.
China promised Trump a better deal for America; it didn't actually deliver
In 2020, President Trump signed a deal with the Chinese government to improve trade relations. China, for the most part, has not followed through.
Price Controls, Black Markets, And Skimpflation: The WWII Battle Against Inflation
To control inflation during WWII, the U.S. government resorted to wide-ranging price controls. Their unintended consequences might explain why today's policymakers are reluctant to try it again.
How to roll out big ideas and avoid the Museum of Failure
A new book develops a science of scaling.
The Great Resignation? More like The Great Renegotiation
"The Great Resignation" looks mostly like workers negotiating for a better deal.
The Movement To Stick Inflation Blame On Biden
It's a bad time to be a world leader. COVID did that.
As carbon removal gains traction, economists imagine a new market to save the planet
Carbon removal went mainstream in 2021. But the technology is still light years away from making a real difference combating climate change. A group of economists wants to help change that.
How subsidies helped Montreal become "the Hollywood of video games"
For decades, Montreal has used generous tax subsidies to boost its video game industry. The policy has succeeded, but the city may need to keep the subsidies in place to keep companies from leaving.
The best and worst places to live if you only care about money
A new study looks at the finances of 3 million households over the course of a year. It finds significant differences in the standard of living across America.
Why is the Biden administration increasing the cost of building houses?
The Biden administration has doubled duties on lumber imported from Canada. Critics argue it hurts the goal of affordable housing.
The Conglomerate Paradox: As GE splinters, Facebook becomes Meta
GE announced it's breaking into three. Meanwhile, tech companies continue to take over a wider swath of industries.
How American leaders failed to help workers survive the 'China Shock'
Trade with China devastated American communities. A research project offers lessons on how to avoid repeating the same tragedy.
Meet skimpflation: A reason inflation is worse than the government says it is
The economy is malfunctioning. We're spending more and getting less. The problem is bigger than just standard inflation.
Why are so many Americans quitting their jobs?
Americans are exiting their employers' doors and Zoom meetings in droves. In fact, 2.9% of the entire workforce quit their jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A Nobel Prize for a revolution in economics
David Card, Joshua Angrist, and Guido Imbens win a Nobel Prize for revolutionizing how economics is done.
'The Greatest Heist In History': How Haiti Was Forced To Pay Reparations For Freedom
Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world, and rich countries have their fingerprints all over the nation's stunted development.
5 Lessons Evergrande Taught Us About The Chinese Economy
Here's what a troubled property developer tells us about the Chinese economy.
Why The City Will Survive The Age Of Pandemics And Remote Work
A new book explains why "the age of urban miracles" is far from over.
How A Blistering Housing Market Could Be Making Wildfires Even More Dangerous
California homes are burning. Why are they still increasing in value in regions prone to fire?
A Startup Is Turning Houses Into Corporations, And The Neighbors Are Fighting Back
The real estate startup Pacaso has rocketed to a billion-dollar valuation — but its recent fights with communities could foreshadow business troubles ahead.
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