What an Economist Says About a 59 Million Dollar Wedding

Knowing that prices convey information, we can assume that a $59 million wedding is an example of Thorstein Veblen’s conspicuous consumption.

What a License Plate Can Say

Much more than a rectangular piece of metal, a Delaware low digit license plate can be a signal of wealth and status.

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 a Sports Team Will Cost You

While we can cite a long list of reasons that sports team prices are in the stratosphere, just one stands out.

Where Inconspicuous Consumption Is Rather Obvious

Although the number of gigayachts is multiplying, they represent the inconspicuous consumption that makes more wealth less obvious.

What Lawn History Says About Status

Throughout history, in the United States and around the world, lawn history shows us why we want greener grass.

Six Facts: The Economic Side of the French Bulldog

Six facts about the economics of French bulldogs can explain why they are popular, expensive, and appeal to dognappers.

The $1.9 Million Pigeon

When two Chinese businessmen both want the same birds, racing pigeon prices can go sky high into the stratosphere.

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.

Why Some Wine Drinkers Are Drinking Less (And Others Are Not)

While wine consumption is down among some of us, we can look at conspicuous consumption for the reason why expensive wine is more popular.