Why You Buy Meatballs and Chairs at the Same Store

When we look at IKEA’s selling strategies, we can see meatballs and chairs or the principles of demand in action.

How Hospital Price Transparency Became Foggy

Although the hospital prices transparency rule kicked in last January, it still is somewhat impossible to decipher a hospital’s price list.

The Tax That Made Us Healthier

By increasing cigarette taxes, states provided an example that extends beyond smoking of how a higher cost leads to healthier habits.

Why Buying Plum Jam Is Like Retaking the SAT

When shopping in a supermarket or deciding whether to retake a test, we should be aware of our left-digit bias.

The Oyster, the Martini, and Happy Hour Economics

More than oysters and martinis, a Happy Hour at your favorite restaurant is really all about how supply and demand create more revenue.

Why We Should Worry About Our (Top) Banana

With the arrival of a banana fungus in the Americas, we should start to worry about the survival of one of our most popular fruits.

The Lid on the Pot Industry

While states find it’s tough to predict marijuana tax revenue, they can assume that higher rates will nudge consumers toward black markets.

The Problem With Healthcare Price Shopping

While healthcare price transparency sounds like a logical way to constrain soaring healthcare costs, the results were not quite what we expected.

Will We Really Pay More to be Green?

Although many of us express a willingness to pay more for green products, a close look reveals that price can still have a big impact on our decision.

Why It’s Tough to Plan Congestion Pricing

While it sounds simple to charge vehicles for driving in a certain area, New York’s actual congestion pricing plan is much more complex.