Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Housing is at the heart of America's economic problems

141. Housing is at the heart of America's economic problems

An argument that housing issues significantly impact economic inequality and generational wealth transfer, affecting young people's ability to achieve homeownership and economic stability.

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

142. 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

143. 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

144. 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.

145. 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

146. 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

147. 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

148. 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

149. 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”

150. 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

151. 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

152. 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

153. 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?”

154. “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

155. 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

156. 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

157. 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

158. 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?

159. 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

160. 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.