Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Is a 50-year mortgage really that much crazier than a 30-year one?

1941. Is a 50-year mortgage really that much crazier than a 30-year one?

Greg Rosalsky discusses the implications and viability of a 50-year mortgage compared to a traditional 30-year mortgage.

Theater owners watch closely as a Warner Bros. Discovery sale looms

1942. Theater owners watch closely as a Warner Bros. Discovery sale looms

Mandalit del Barco discusses the concerns of theater owners regarding the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery and its implications for the film industry.

Grampa Simpson on Whining Whiners about House Affordability

1943. Grampa Simpson on Whining Whiners about House Affordability

An argument that housing affordability concerns stem from generational expectations rather than actual economic conditions, highlighting historical data on home prices and mortgage rates.

1944. Dishwashers and the 24/7 Time Constraint

Timothy Taylor discusses the impact of dishwashers on household labor and gender roles, highlighting technological advancements that save time and change dynamics in family responsibilities.

John Cochrane understands the elasticity of supply

1945. John Cochrane understands the elasticity of supply

Tyler Cowen discusses John Cochrane's insights on housing supply, emphasizing inefficiencies and regulatory barriers affecting mobility and availability in the market.

CPB agrees to revive a $36 million deal with NPR killed after Trump's pressure

1946. CPB agrees to revive a $36 million deal with NPR killed after Trump's pressure

David Folkenflik discusses the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's decision to revive a contract with NPR that was previously canceled due to pressure from the Trump administration.

Illegal Immigrants Didn’t Break the Housing Market; Bad Policy Did

1947. Illegal Immigrants Didn’t Break the Housing Market; Bad Policy Did

An argument that illegal immigrants are scapegoated for housing market issues, which stem from poor policies rather than their presence, emphasizing the need for better solutions.

How .99 Pricing Survives the Penny Shortage

1948. How .99 Pricing Survives the Penny Shortage

The post discusses the penny shortage in the U.S., the rounding of cash transactions, and the complexities of pricing due to varying tax rates across different regions.

The Plutocrats Who Cried “Commie”

1949. The Plutocrats Who Cried “Commie”

An argument that wealthy individuals often exaggerate threats to their interests, revealing their dependence on urban centers despite their claims of fleeing due to political changes.

Construction Spending Increased 0.2% in August

1950. Construction Spending Increased 0.2% in August

Construction spending rose slightly in August, with private spending increasing while public spending remained stable, though year-over-year comparisons show declines in private construction.

Housing November 17th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 0.3% Week-over-week

1951. Housing November 17th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 0.3% Week-over-week

Bill McBride discusses the weekly decline in active single-family housing inventory and its seasonal patterns compared to previous years.

Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on

1952. Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on

Rising disaster and insurance costs are burdening middle-class families, leading to concerns about potential foreclosures in southwest Florida.

“May I meet you?”

1953. “May I meet you?”

The post discusses a dating strategy suggested by a billionaire, emphasizing the importance of effort and opening lines in meeting potential partners.

More women are renting dresses, coats and ugly sweaters as clothing prices tick up

1954. More women are renting dresses, coats and ugly sweaters as clothing prices tick up

Kristian Monroe discusses the rising trend of women renting clothing due to increasing prices driven by inflation and tariffs.

How women over 30 are rewriting the single mom narrative in America

1955. How women over 30 are rewriting the single mom narrative in America

An argument that women over 30 are reshaping societal perceptions of single motherhood in America, highlighting changing demographics and cultural narratives.

Americans could see a big sticker shock for Thanksgiving turkeys this year

1956. Americans could see a big sticker shock for Thanksgiving turkeys this year

Lydia Calitri discusses rising turkey prices and offers tips for managing Thanksgiving expenses amid inflation.

Affordability, Illustrated

1957. Affordability, Illustrated

Menzie Chinn analyzes the differences between the AIER's Everyday Price Index and the Consumer Price Index, highlighting their implications for affordability.

Why are US Clinical Trials so Expensive?

1958. Why are US Clinical Trials so Expensive?

An argument that high costs of US clinical trials stem from expensive healthcare, regulatory challenges, and the need for high-quality care, impacting patient recruitment and overall expenses.

Vibecessions, Part I

1959. Vibecessions, Part I

An argument that despite decent economic indicators, public sentiment remains negative, highlighting a disconnect between perceptions and reality in recent economic history.

Your artificial Christmas tree will cost more this year, thanks in part to tariffs

1960. Your artificial Christmas tree will cost more this year, thanks in part to tariffs

Rising costs for artificial Christmas trees are influenced by tariffs and supply chain issues, prompting consumers to consider purchasing earlier this year.