Sep 28, 2023

$2 trillion in savings, spent

Getty Images

Americans have been spending up a storm and may have burned through their pandemic savings. Plus, why economists measure and remeasure the GDP.

Segments From this episode

In Louisiana, Maryland and North Dakota, unemployment is at record lows

by Elizabeth Trovall

Sep 28, 2023

The U.S. job market as a whole continues to hum along.

An economist in North Dakota said many restaurants in Fargo stay closed on Sundays and Mondays due to inadequate staffing.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The monumental task of measuring the GDP over and over again

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Sep 28, 2023

The keepers of GDP continually update their calculations as more information becomes available.

Measuring the economy requires continually revising data as more data becomes available.

Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images

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All those pandemic savings? They might already be gone

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Sep 28, 2023

People in the U.S. saved an estimated $2.1 trillion at one point in the pandemic. By some estimates, that money's pretty much gone.

Howard Huang/Getty Images

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Apparel sales might catch a chill as winter nears

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Sep 28, 2023

Nike reported disappointing earnings, weakening the outlook for clothing sales — which have a lot to do with the year-end shopping season.

Since clothing isn't as essential for most households as food and gasoline, sales may soften.

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

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National Debt

Federal government shutdowns cause economic distress for tribes

by Savannah Maher

Sep 28, 2023

The U.S. government is obligated by treaty to provide certain services to tribal nations. Shutdowns force tribes to take on those costs.

The headquarters of the Yurok Tribe in Northern California in 2021. During the government shutdown in 2013, the tribe had to furlough about 70 employees.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Most millennials are homeowners now

by Kai Ryssdal and Sofia Terenzio

Sep 28, 2023

Millennials have faced challenges to homeownership for years. Now, a slim majority of millennials own a home.

As of 2022, the majority of millennials now own homes.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Deep East 17, Ian Curnow / Phil Harding

Benzoin Gum MF DOOM

A Little Piano DJ Mitsu The Beats

Eple Röyksopp

Diving Woman Japanese Breakfast

Redbone Childish Gambino

I'm a Rock Jitwam

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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