Jun 22, 2023

Decision time

Ricky Barosa and Larry Groves are starting to give themselves days off after a year in business at Growing Groves Plant Shop. Ashley Villanueva/Lusting for Light Photography

Today we've got two stories about big decisions, one involving a local mom-and-pop, the other, massive central banks.

Segments From this episode

Why central banks operate with a pack mentality

by Kristin Schwab

Jun 22, 2023

Traditionally, central banks have more or less unofficially moved in concert with each other when it comes to tackling monetary policy.

Above, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Group mentality is part of central banking culture, says Peter Conti-Brown of the Wharton School.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Even with inflation, pricing can be a puzzle for small businesses

by Justin Ho

Jun 22, 2023

Big businesses can rely on reams of data to figure out how much to raise prices. Small business owners don't have that luxury.

Small businesses, including bike shops, often don't have the large-scale data that bigger businesses do.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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Be prepared to navigate a maze to cancel that subscription

by Matt Levin

Jun 22, 2023

Behavioral economics helps explain why it's hard to unsubscribe.

The FTC alleges that Amazon intentionally complicated the cancellation process for Prime subscription service.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Why are HBCUs underfunded?

by Richard Cunningham

Jun 22, 2023

While HBCUs provide bright futures for Black students, they aren’t as well funded as other prestige universities.

HBCUs are vital for educating Black professionals, but they remain underfunded.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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When moving means a higher mortgage rate, why sell?

by Stephanie Hughes

Jun 22, 2023

Last month, 20% fewer existing homes were sold than in May 2022. People are staying put — and staying together — to avoid higher costs.

Lots of people are choosing to stay put in their homes even if they’d like to sell.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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My Economy

In the face of high inflation, this couple's plant keeps growing

by Livi Burdette

Jun 22, 2023

The owners of Growing Groves Plant Shop in Davis, California, are sleeping better after a year in business.

Ricky Barosa and Larry Groves are starting to give themselves days off after a year in business at Growing Groves Plant Shop.

Ashley Villanueva/Lusting for Light Photography

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Music from the episode

Shoop Salt-N-Pepa

Ain't Nothing Changed Loyle Carner

Still In Love It's Butter

Cataracts Freddie Gibbs

Drew Barrymore SZA

That's Love Oddisee

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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