Segments From This Episode

• Meet Neil, 34, bartender

  by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

  

  The Bureau of Labor Statistics would categorize Neil’s job as a “service occupation,” along with a wide range of other workers. Two in 10 people work jobs in that category.

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• Meet Ashley, 34, hair stylist

  by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

  

  Ashley is part of the service industry and like 80% of the U.S. labor force, works full time.

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• Building a house, one log at a time

  by Maria Hollenhorst

  

  Brigitte Ruthman has always wanted to live in a log home. “It’s like living in artwork,” she said.

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• Health care costs are driving up inflation

  by Kimberly Adams

  

  The latest producer price index was up 0.5% in January, mostly because of higher service costs, not more expensive goods.

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• Housing starts down for the month, up for the year

  by Mitchell Hartman

  

  The Census Bureau reported housing starts fell 3.6% in January 2020 from the previous month, but rose 21.4% from January 2019.

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• Is the “must-have” toy a thing of the past?

  by Marielle Segarra

  

  According to the NPD Group, toy sales dropped by 4% last year.

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