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Stacey Vanek Smith

Reporter, Marketplace

SHORT BIO

Stacey Vanek Smith is a former senior reporter for Marketplace.

Latest Stories (1,133)

Who’s afraid of our $34 trillion national debt?

Jan 30, 2024
Our U.S. debt is bigger than our economic output. Consequences include ballooning interest payments and potential trust issues.
The U.S. national debt is about 120% of what the economy generates in a year. But is this cause for concern?
Win McNamee/Getty Images

If inflation slowed down in 2023, why is my grocery bill so high?

Jan 10, 2024
2023 was officially a very good year for the US economy: unemployment stayed near record lows, the markets were strong, and inflation came under control. So with all this good news, why does looking at the grocery bill still feel a little like getting poked with a cattle prod? 
Ranchers watch as cow prices are bid up at a cattle auction in Caldwell, Idaho.
Stacey Vanek Smith

Is it RIP for the NFT?

Dec 22, 2023
After the meteoric rise of NFTs, the fall has hammered the market. Can we call curtains for the digital art market?
A Times Square billboard reads "I hate NFTs!" during the fourth annual NFT.NYC conference in June 2022. Nearly all NFTs are currently worthless.
Noam Galai/Getty Images

Criticism, crashes, and crises: Revisiting three ghosts of debt ceiling battles past

Dec 5, 2023
There have been about 80 debt ceiling battles since 1960. But those decades of drama have never led to an actual default.
The National Debt Clock shows the increasing U.S. debt, near an IRS office in New York City. When this photo was taken, on July 26, 2011, Congress was one week away from a debt ceiling deadline.
Stan Honda/AFP via Getty Images

Machiavelli’s lessons for women in the workforce

Sep 7, 2021
An excerpt from “Machiavelli for Women,” a new book by NPR’s Stacey Vanek Smith.
Italian statesman, writer and political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, circa 1510. In a new book, NPR’s Stacey Vanek Smith applies the lessons of Machiavelli’s “The Prince” to women in 21st century workplaces.
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Is Snapchat really worth $10 billion?

Aug 27, 2014
We look at what makes Snapchat worth what people think it's worth today?
Snapchat has been allocated an impressive $10 billion valuation following an investment made by venture-capitalist firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

And the Emmy goes to... Monday!

Aug 22, 2014
NBC has moved the Emmys from Sunday to Monday... and the reason is all economics.
The Emmys will take place on Monday this year to avoid competition with Sunday Night Football.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Why Europe loves Yellen's moves

Aug 22, 2014
The Fed is likely to stay the course, and other central banks are fine with that.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen during the International Monetary and Financial Committee family photo at the IMF/World Bank Spring meetings.
(Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

How the Fed became a Central Superbank

Aug 20, 2014
Is it a bird? Its it a plane? No! It's the Federal Reserve!
Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen, look on as the group of 20 nations, finance ministers and central bankers prepare for the International Monetary and Financial Committee family photo at the IMF/World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, DC.
Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Who will win the dollar store bidding war?

Aug 18, 2014
If you thought all dollar stores are the same, think again.
Dollar stores continue the bidding war over the purchase of Family Dollar stores.
Brian Killian/Getty Images for Procter & Gamble