Planet Money

Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world. Wanna go deeper? Subscribe to Planet Money+ and get sponsor-free episodes of Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. Plus access to bonus content. It's a new way to support the show you love. Learn more at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Episodes

My Favorite Tax Loophole

December 2, 2022 • 26 min

There's a big difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. But sometimes even avoiding taxes (legally) can feel like you're getting away with something. Today, we share some of our — and your! — favorite loopholes in the U.S. tax code.

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Messi economics

November 30, 2022 • 27 min

Soccer star Lionel Messi is currently hoping to lead Argentina to victory in the World Cup. His path to global fame was shaped by a crisis in Argentina's economy.

This episode was made in collaboration with NPR and Futuro Studios's The Last Cup podcast.

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One economist's take on popular advice for saving, borrowing, and spending

November 23, 2022 • 32 min

This episode was first released as a bonus episode for Planet Money+ listeners last month. We're sharing it today for all listeners. To hear more episodes like this one and support NPR in the process, sign up for Planet Money+ at plus.npr.org.

Planet Money+ supporters: we'll have a fresh bonus episode for you next week!

"Save aggressively for retirement when you're young." "The stock market is a ...

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How the cookie became a monster

November 18, 2022 • 26 min

30 years ago, Lou Montulli set out to solve a fundamental problem with the internet, and accidentally created an entirely different one. On today's show, how the cookie went from an obscure piece of code designed to protect anonymity, to an online advertiser's dream, to a privacy advocate's nightmare.

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Sam Bankman-Fried and the fall of a crypto empire

November 16, 2022 • 24 min

Sam Bankman-Fried built a reputation as the one reliable crypto bro. But within the span of days, his empire came crashing down. What the rise and fall of crypto's 30-year-old elder statesman says about the story of crypto so far.

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The E-Book Wars

November 11, 2022 • 25 min

In 2019, a group of librarians (quietly) stormed the offices of a major publisher, Macmillan, to protest a controversial policy on e-books. On this show, how a tiny change - a book on a screen - threw an industry into war with itself.

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Peak Sand (classic)

November 9, 2022 • 17 min

Sand. It's in buildings, windows, your cell phone. But there isn't enough in the world for everyone. And that's created a dangerous black market.

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Planet Money tries election polling

November 4, 2022 • 28 min

Polling is facing an existential crisis. Few people are answering the phone, and fewer people want to answer surveys. On today's show, we pick up the phones ourselves to find out how polling got to this place, and what the future of the poll looks like.

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Two Indicators shaking China's economy

November 2, 2022 • 19 min

Xi Jinping recently secured his third term as China's president – so we're looking at two shocks to the world's second-largest economy. First: How China's housing boom turned into a real estate crisis. Second: How the recent U.S. ban on selling advanced semiconductor chips to China could affect China's technology industry.

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Planet Money Records Vol. 2: The Negotiation

October 28, 2022 • 26 min

We got our hands on the long-lost "Inflation" song, and now it's time to put it out into the world. So, we started a record label, and we're diving into the music business to try and make a hit.

(This episode is part two of a series. Listen to part one here.)

Listen to "Inflation" on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music & Pandora.

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Planet Money Records Vol. 1: Earnest Jackson

October 26, 2022 • 25 min

We try to start a real record label. Just to put one song out there. It's a song about inflation, recorded in 1975... and never released. Until now.

(This episode is part one of a series)

Listen to "Inflation" on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music & Pandora.

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The high cost of a strong dollar

October 21, 2022 • 27 min

When it comes to international trade and finance, everyone pretty much speaks one language: the U.S. dollar. So when the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates and the dollar suddenly gets strong, it can cause huge headaches all over the world.

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The money fixers (classic)

October 19, 2022 • 17 min

How do you mend a broken bill? On this classic episode, we visit the Mutilated Currency Division.

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You asked for coupons, Delaware, and the truth about goldfish

October 14, 2022 • 23 min

On today's show, we're answering listener questions from the Planet Money inbox. Like, who really benefits from retail coupons? And why are goldfish so cheap?

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Two Indicators: back to school

October 12, 2022 • 17 min

It's fall, so on this episode, we're taking you back to school. First, what sorority rush can teach us about a particular kind of market. Then, how two economists fixed the way macroeconomics was taught in high schools. It's econ, inside and outside the classroom.

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Forging Taiwan's Silicon Shield

October 7, 2022 • 30 min

Taiwan is at the center of a global feud. Its main defense may be what some call its "Silicon Shield" — its powerful semiconductor industry. On today's show, the story of how one economic hero helped to transform Taiwan's economy and create the "Taiwan Miracle."

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Economic anarchy in the UK

October 5, 2022 • 21 min

Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister of the UK, was determined to change the British economy. Instead, her government's mini-budget helped kick off a mini-financial crisis.

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Would you like a side of offshoring with that?

September 30, 2022 • 22 min

A lot of restaurants took a hit during the pandemic. And when they struggled to find workers, some found surprising solutions. On today's show, what happens when you offshore cashiers.

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The miracle apple (Classic)

September 28, 2022 • 14 min

Today on the show, how we got from mealy, nasty apples to apples that taste delicious. The story starts with a breeder who discovered a miracle apple. But discovering that apple wasn't enough.

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Econ's Brush with the Law

September 23, 2022 • 22 min

What happens when you take some of the most powerful people in America — federal judges — and teach them economics? We look at the swanky econ retreats that may have changed American law forever.

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Planet Money

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}My Favorite Tax Loophole

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Messi economics

One economist's take on popular advice for saving, borrowing, and spending

How the cookie became a monster

Sam Bankman-Fried and the fall of a crypto empire

The E-Book Wars

Peak Sand (classic)

Planet Money tries election polling

Two Indicators shaking China's economy

Planet Money Records Vol. 2: The Negotiation

Planet Money Records Vol. 1: Earnest Jackson

The high cost of a strong dollar

The money fixers (classic)

You asked for coupons, Delaware, and the truth about goldfish

Two Indicators: back to school

Forging Taiwan's Silicon Shield

Economic anarchy in the UK

Would you like a side of offshoring with that?

The miracle apple (Classic)

Econ's Brush with the Law

Popular Podcasts

For You.css-1r2bfgw{margin:0 0 -2px 5px;}

My Favorite Tax Loophole

Messi economics

For You