The Economics of Why Textbooks Cost So Much
Captive markets, divorced decision-makers, and destroyed resale create the perfect conditions for extraction
The Economics of Why Weddings Cost So Much
Why saying 'wedding' adds hundreds to your bill—and what economics reveals about one-time purchases
The Economics of Why Farmers Markets Cost More
Why the price gap between farmers markets and supermarkets reflects economics, not exploitation
Why Rental Cars Cost More on Weekends
Business travelers and vacationers want cars at different times—and pay very different prices for the privilege
The Hidden Economics of Outlet Malls
Why outlet "discounts" are designed from scratch, not marked down from anywhere
The Hidden Economics of Gift Cards
How plastic rectangles create interest-free loans, capture forgotten money, and nudge you to spend far more than intended.
Why Subscription Services Want Your Credit Card
Discover how automatic renewals, cancellation hurdles, and predictable revenue streams turn your inertia into their most reliable business asset.
The Real Reason Black Friday Exists
How retailers engineered a shopping frenzy that serves their inventory problems while hijacking your decision-making instincts
The Economics of Food Delivery Apps
Discover how delivery platforms profit from restaurants, drivers, and your hunger—all while making the true cost invisible.
Why Airline Tickets Change Price While You're Browsing
Discover how airlines read your search behavior to calculate exactly what you'll pay for that exact seat
Why Generic Drugs Cost 90% Less Than Brand Names
How a single patent expiration transforms pharmaceutical pricing overnight, and what it reveals about competition in any market.
Why Your Favorite Restaurant Suddenly Got Expensive
Small cost increases cascade through supply chains, fixed expenses, and competition to reshape your menu
Why Your Phone Plan Includes 'Unlimited' Everything
Discover why carriers switched from counting minutes to selling peace of mind, and what that reveals about how we really make buying decisions.
The Economics of Why Gym Memberships Are So Cheap
How fitness facilities profit from selling hope instead of health, turning New Year's resolutions into reliable revenue streams
Why Concert Tickets Cost More on Friday Nights
Discover how timing affects pricing and learn when flexibility can save you 30-50% on identical products and services
The Real Cost of Free Shipping
Discover how 'free' shipping secretly costs you more money and changes what you buy online
The Hidden Logic Behind Buy-One-Get-One Deals
Discover why stores profit more by giving products away than by simply cutting prices in half
The Real Reason Gas Stations Sell Candy
Discover why gas stations barely profit from fuel but thrive on overpriced snacks through clever economic positioning
Why Uber Costs More When It's Raining
Discover how surge pricing elegantly solves the economic puzzle of too many riders and too few drivers in real-time
Why Your Coffee Shop Charges Extra for Oat Milk
Discover how a simple milk choice reveals sophisticated pricing strategies that sort customers by their willingness to pay
The Hidden Economics of Free Samples at Costco
Discover why those tiny paper cups at Costco are actually sophisticated economic tools designed to reshape your shopping behavior
The Economics of Why Netflix Killed Video Stores
Understanding how subscription models exploit psychological biases and economic principles to dominate traditional pay-per-use businesses across every industry