Aug 6, 2024

Why we freak out when the stock market freaks out

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Also, the not-so-bad reasons for the higher jobless rate, and "stealth shopping" is on the rise.

Segments From this episode

How do big swings in the stock market affect consumer behavior?

by Samantha Fields

Aug 6, 2024

The markets have been on a roller-coaster ride, and it seems we invest more emotion in the downs than the ups.

Humans tend to feel losses more acutely than gains, said Swarthmore's Syon Bhanot. That could be why stock market slumps freak consumers out more than gains provide them relief.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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The higher unemployment rate may not be a bad thing this time

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Aug 6, 2024

July's increase was not driven by layoffs. The data reflected the larger number of people who are actively seeking jobs.

More people have entered the job market recently, possibly drawn by a healthy environment for salaries.

ljubaphoto/Getty Images

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Mobile home parks shelter many who seek low costs, but they can't keep out risk

by Elizabeth Trovall

Aug 6, 2024

Housing costs have jumped in Boulder, Colorado. Can the state and city protect low-income residents?

Miriam De Santiago helps her Spanish-speaking neighbors learn about their rights as tenants.

Elizabeth Trovall/Marketplace

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My Economy

When the viral moment fades, will the sparkle stay?

by Sean McHenry

Aug 6, 2024

"Virality is fleeting," says Kelsey Campion. "We could go viral tomorrow. We could go viral in a year, we could never go viral again."

"Similar to going viral, this slowdown is also a moment in time that in two years, we’ll look back on and see things very differently,” says Kelsey Campion, owner of Fringe + Co in New Orleans.

Courtesy Kelsey Campion

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Google's big antitrust case has historic parallels in the 1911 Standard Oil decision

by Daniel Ackerman

Aug 6, 2024

The two companies' market dominance, and their anti-competitive playbooks, have similarities.

The Supreme Court's decision against Google is a parallel to monopoly-busting efforts generations ago.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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Stealth shopping — hiding purchases from spouses — is on the rise

by Kristin Schwab and Aleezeh Hasan

Aug 6, 2024

As online shopping has become the norm, some people's spending habits have become stealth missions to keep from their partners.

More people are shopping from home, but larger spending habits have become secrets to be kept from significant others.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

"Concussion" Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

"Uptown Cabaret" Oddissee

"A Little Piano" DJ Mitsu The Beats

"Look What I've Done" Maverick Sabre

"Hard to Say Goodbye" Washed Out

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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