Nov 27 The economics of Thanksgiving from 1621 to 2014 By Simone Pathe Paul Solman stepped back to 1621 to explore the economics of the very first Thanksgiving, where, he learned, profit wasn't everything. Neither is profit everything in 2014 on a family turkey farm that sells most of its free-range turkeys during… Continue reading
Nov 26 Watch When business is for the birds, small farms strive to survive despite industry pecking order By PBS News Hour How do small farms, competing against factory farms, gobble up their share of business? The family-run Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Connecticut relies on Thanksgiving sales for nearly half of their yearly income, selling high-quality birds raised in a free-range… Continue watching
Nov 26 Business leaders disappointed over items left out of immigration action By Erica Werner, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration left out some of the business community's top priorities, disappointing business leaders who might have stepped up to defend his policies in the face of Republican attacks. Continue reading
Nov 26 If I'm turning 65 and still working, do I have to file for Medicare? By Philip Moeller People who have group health policies through their employers generally do not have to sign up for Medicare when they turn 65. But there are exceptions. Making Sen$e Medicare Maven Phil Moeller fills you in on the rules and takes… Continue reading
Nov 24 Retiring? Here's how to get an extra month of Social Security benefits for free By Laurence Kotlikoff If you are going to file for your Social Security retirement benefit early, and you play your cards right, Larry Kotlikoff has a new trick for you to maximize your benefits. Continue reading
Nov 24 So you thought quantitative easing was over? Think again By Terry Burnham The Federal Reserve ended its bond buying program, known as quantitative easing, at its latest policy meeting in October. But economist Terry Burnham isn't buying that. He sees a form of "stealth QE" continuing where the Fed buys even more… Continue reading
Nov 22 Watch Retailers take stand against early Black Friday By PBS News Hour In the past few years, Black Friday shopping sales have crept into Thanksgiving Day as stores try to gain an advantage over their competitors at the start of the holiday shopping season. Hari Sreenivasan speaks with Stephen Greenhouse of the… Continue watching
Nov 21 Uber's boys club is what's wrong with Silicon Valley By Vivek Wadhwa Uber is one of the most hated companies in the technology industry, writes Vivek Wadhwa. But its disrepute is largely because of its arrogance and frat-boy behavior—not only its business practices. And this behavior is only slowing the company down. Continue reading
Nov 21 Jonathan Gruber: Success of insurance marketplaces hinges on competition By Simone Pathe The second year of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is now underway. This year, more insurers are participating in health insurance marketplaces, and if evidence from last year is any indication, increased competition should result in lower premiums. Continue reading
Nov 20 Watch Is Uber's aggressive attitude bad for business? By PBS News Hour Uber, the popular ride-sharing mobile phone app, has developed a reputation for ruthlessness. The company's latest woes were generated by an executive who talked about hiring operatives to dig up dirt on reporters who criticize the company. Economics correspondent Paul… Continue watching