When To Give a Gift

During the winter holidays, considering all of our gift giving decisions, we could listen to some economic advice.

The First Foodie

Displaying the role of presidential food, Thomas Jefferson signaled American sophistication and science from his menu.

Why Your Name Matters

At home, at work, and politically, our baby names send a message that can nudge our behavior in a certain direction.

The Many Sides of the Ford Pickup Truck

Ranging from changes in society to the owner’s messaging, the history of the Ford pickup truck is about more than transportation.

What Your Name Could Say About Your Politics

In a list of the many ways that we communicate our political preferences, baby names could be near the top.

Why Your Name Matters

With baby names, parents could have based a decision on popularity, politics, or the profession they hope their little one will aspire to.

The Pricey Purse That Created a Problem

When Hermes combined very high prices with limited availability for its Birkin bags, it not only generated conspicuous consumption but also a problem.

An Economist’s Gift Giving Dilemma

After an economist long ago told us that gift giving adds less to economic activity than the price of the present, a pro-gift giving group disagreed.

The One Investment That Is (Probably) a Sure Thing

Calculating the value of college involves what we spend, what we sacrifice, what we earn, and some other surprising considerations.

The Inconspicuous Consumption That Shouts Your Wealth

The average American has access to the types of consumer goods that only the wealthy used to buy. We can purchase a pricey iPhone or watch Netflix on a massive home TV screen. We eat steak, enjoy ahi tuna, and…