Jan 17, 2024

In this economy, we’re focusing on the little things

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If you're saving to buy a house, might as well buy some fun candles or cosmetics in the meantime. Plus, the connection between a higher minimum wage and fast-food prices.

Segments From this episode

Retailers are stuck in a cycle of constant sales

by Kristin Schwab

Jan 17, 2024

Once consumers adjust to a 24/7 promotion environment, it hard for companies to stop.

Online shopping has given consumers the ability to compare prices in real time, giving retailers more incentive to offer deals.

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

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What financial advisers are saying about the new bitcoin ETFs

by Matt Levin

Jan 17, 2024

Exchange-traded funds are basically an easy way to invest in bitcoin from one's brokerage account. The SEC approved the bitcoin EFTs last week.

The new ETF will make investing in bitcoin easier. But financial advisers aren't sold on the risk factor.

Photo illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images

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How expensive fast food can explain rising economic equality

by Kai Ryssdal and Sarah Leeson

Jan 17, 2024

Fast food workers' wages are up as much as 30% since 2020. That has had real costs for businesses, but real benefits for society.

In the fast food sector, where many workers in the bottom 10% of the income distribution are employed, wages went up by 5.7% when adjusted for inflation between 2020 and 2022, says Eric Levitz of Vox.

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Furniture sellers hoped for a better 2023

by Elizabeth Trovall

Jan 17, 2024

The furniture and home furnishings sector saw a 5.4% sales decline last year.

Furniture sales dipped 4.7% for the year, according to the Commerce Department.

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Is there room in an aspirational budget to spend on fun and save for a house?

by Stephanie Hughes

Jan 17, 2024

Consumers' plans for spending on fun edge out everyday essentials and big-ticket items, according to a survey from the New York Fed.

Consumers are spending more on things like skin care, make-up and candles, says Natalie Kotlyar of BDO.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

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With commercial real estate set for another tough year, some small banks are worried

by Justin Ho

Jan 17, 2024

Amid high interest rates and vacancy rates, lenders and regulators are concerned about the fallout when borrowers renew their loans.

Plenty of companies are planning to downsize their office space, which worries lenders that have a lot of commercial real estate debt on their balance sheets.

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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

Sofia Terenzio Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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