Calculating the value of college involves what we spend, what we sacrifice, what we earn, and some other surprising considerations.…
What Super Bowl Ads Really Tell Us
For a smile, some economic history, and a look at how companies make some money, Super Bowl ads say a lot in just thirty seconds.…
The Vaccine Benefits That No One Talks About
With better school attendance and learning, and then higher work productivity, the positive externalities of childhood vaccination have an economic impact.…
Weekly Roundup: 6 Mysteries
Our everyday economic stories involve participation rates, human capital, signaling, ROI, money, price, austerity, personal income, monopoly and bubbles.…
Our Weekly Roundup: From Misery to Chocolate
This week’s everyday economics stories involved quantitative easing, monetary and fiscal policy, supply and demand, ROI, GDP, unemployment and inflation.…
The Reason Norway Said No to the Olympics
Because host countries for the Olympics and World Cup spend too much on new stadiums, their subsequent return on investment (ROI) is usually inadequate.…
Your "ROI" From Braces
Dear Alexa, At work, I have become ashamed of my less-than-perfect smile since I am surrounded by colleagues who had the luxury of wearing braces in their youth. Should I get braces to perfect my smi…
Emerging Markets: Cow Economics
Think of dung cakes and milk and calves as output. And feed and veterinary fees and milking time as input. The result is a new image of a cow. Compiling data from Northern Indian villages, researchers…
Is Law School A Good Investment?
Looking at a paper by law school professor Herwig Schlunk reminded me that attending law school is similar to inventing a new machine. Both require an initial investment, both take several years to co…