Six Surprising Facts About Our Prescription Drug Spending

Called a prescription escalator, our prescription drug spending is more about efficacy and age than the rising prices that we say we see.

Why a Safety Net Should Catch Kids

Assume your government has $1 to spend on a social safety net. You need to decide who gets what. One way is ROI–the Return On your Investment. Of course we can ask about return through non-dollar criteria. But what if…

What Chuck E. Cheese Teaches Us About Money

When Chuck E. Cheese changed the kinds of payment cards that kids and their parents used for games and food, they created new spending incentives.

Disrupting the Movie Industry

With many of us rarely going to a theater, we can see why movie attendance is down and the chance for industry disruption is up.

The Economics of the Pumpkin Slingshot

For the next bite of a doughnut or the next try at a pumpkin slingshot, economist Alfred Marshall’s marginal analysis helps you decide whether to say yes.

How Much Healthcare?

When the Netherlands pays for a mother’s first week at home after child birth, we get a message about their healthcare coverage.

Weekly Roundup: From the Diner’s Dilemma to Lost Labor

This week’s economic news summary includes the diner’s dilemma and marginal analysis, property rights in outer space, the Phillip’s Curve and unemployment.

The Diner’s Dilemma: Should You Divide the Check Equally With Friends?

Like the tragedy of the commons, splitting a bill among friends at a restaurant involves an individual’s marginal benefit and the group’s marginal cost.

Weekly Roundup: From Lost Jobs to Fewer Tips

Posts Roundup Sunday 10.11.15 Why we stick with a brand…more Monday 10.12.15 The many meanings of the minimum wage…more Tuesday 10.13.15 How a drone port solves road problems…more Wednesday 10.14.15 Development surprises from a new Nobel winner…more Thursday 10.15.15 Finding disappearing jobs…more…

Tipping Decisions

Phasing in a no-tipping policy, Danny Meyer will eliminate tipping decisions, raise prices, change server pay and increase what the kitchen staff earns.