Planet Money The economy, explained, with stories and surprises. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy." Now imagine that's actually a fun evening. That's what we're going for at Planet Money. People seem to like it.

Planet Money

The Economy Explained

Government

Worried About The Deficit? Blame Health Care

by Jacob Goldstein

June 30, 2010 • Unless something changes, rising federal deficits will be driven largely by government spending on health care.

Finance

Former AIG Exec Blames Losses On Bailout

by Jacob Goldstein

June 30, 2010 • Taxpayers have sunk more than $100 billion into AIG so far. A key executive suggests the company might have been OK on its own.

Developing Economies

China Beats India. Again.

by Ashley Lau

June 30, 2010 • Both countries need fossil fuels to sustain economic growth. And they're competing for oil contracts in developing countries around the world.

Planet Money

Dad Won't Pay For College, So Daughter Sues

by Jacob Goldstein

June 30, 2010 • She won. The father had to pay $47,000. He had agreed to pay for the education of his three children following a 2004 divorce.

The Tuesday Podcast: The Billionaire And The Tire Repairman

Michael Lee-Chin came by helicopter for his Planet Money interview. Alex Blumberg hide caption

toggle caption

Alex Blumberg

Planet Money

The Tuesday Podcast: The Billionaire And The Tire Repairman

June 29, 2010 • And why, in the developing world, it's so tough for the tire repairman to get a loan.

The Tuesday Podcast: The Billionaire And The Tire Repairman

Listen · 15:09 15:09

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128195395/128200280" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Planet Money

The Latest From The Treadmill Video Guys

by Jacob Goldstein

June 29, 2010 • The music-business economics that allow us to embed a band's video.

Government

A $19 Billion Bank Tax May Get Axed

by Jacob Goldstein

June 29, 2010 • Democrats are re-opening negotiations today on the finance-reform bill.

House Prices Rose In April. That May Not Continue.

The Case-Shiller index of home prices rose in April. Alyson Hurt/NPR hide caption

toggle caption

Alyson Hurt/NPR

Housing

House Prices Rose In April. That May Not Continue.

by Jacob Goldstein

June 29, 2010 • The Case-Shiller index posted its first monthly rise for the year. But it may have been a blip, and more declines could be coming.

Housing

Behind On Your Mortgage? Here's A Free Cell Phone!

by Jacob Goldstein

June 29, 2010 • Delinquent borrowers can be tough to track down. Banks are getting creative.

'These Are The Guys Who Are Kicking Our Ass?'

Tom O'Brien

Developing Economies

'These Are The Guys Who Are Kicking Our Ass?'

by Jacob Goldstein

June 28, 2010 • Internet commerce via the East India company.

Finance

Looking For A Job? Try Wall Street

by Ashley Lau

June 28, 2010 • The finance industry added thousands of jobs in New York City this spring.

Planet Money

What's The Most Expensive Part Of The iPhone 4?

by Jacob Goldstein

June 28, 2010 • Hint: In Applespeak, it's known as a "retina display." The company's economic model was made famous by razor manufacturers.

Government

World Leaders: We'll Cut Deficits (Or We Won't)

by Jacob Goldstein

June 28, 2010 • There's no enforcement mechanism for counries that fail to meet deficit targets. Also: No rush on new rules for global banks.

The Problem With Giving Free Food To Hungry People

Aid workers distribute rice in Haiti. The earthquake has done long-term damange to the nation's rice economy. Travis Fox/Frontline hide caption

toggle caption

Travis Fox/Frontline

Developing Economies

The Problem With Giving Free Food To Hungry People

June 27, 2010 • The unintended consequences of giving out free rice in Haiti: Long-term damage to the local economy.

"The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," by Damien Hirst. Regina Kuehne/Keystone/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Regina Kuehne/Keystone/AP

Trade

Why A Dead Shark Costs $12 Million

by Jacob Goldstein

June 25, 2010 • And why a photo of steel wool that looks like a tornado costs $1,265.We wade into the economics of the art world.

Why A Dead Shark Costs $12 Million

Listen · 21:02 21:02

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/128109067/128115618" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">