Dec 30, 2024

How fresh is that home listing?

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Active listings are up, but many are "stale inventory." Plus, adult literacy drops, and the lower Medicare cap on out-of-pocket drug costs.

Segments From this episode

Pending home sales increase as inventory loosens

by Elizabeth Trovall

Dec 30, 2024

Pending sales were up 2.2% in November.

There's been an uptick in sales and inventory — a sign 2025 may be a good time to buy.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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New limits on Medicare drug costs start at start of year

by Samantha Fields

Dec 30, 2024

The caps are mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act. No Medicare patient will pay more than $2,000 out of pocket for prescription drugs.

Before the Inflation Reduction Act, there was no cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for people with Medicare.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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The drop in adult literacy is an economic issue too

by Kimberly Adams , Sean McHenry and Nicholas Guiang

Dec 30, 2024

The decline can lead to poor health outcomes and a loss of GDP, says Daphne Greenberg of Georgia State University.

"About 28% of adults in the United States are reading at what's considered Level 1 and below, which is really elementary skills," says Daphne Greenberg, a professor at Georgia State University.

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

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"Cash stuffing" is the TikTok update to grandma’s budgeting

by Lillian Karabaic

Dec 30, 2024

The envelope budgeting method combines nostalgia with Instagram-worthy aesthetics, and a desire to get better at personal finance.

A screengrab from a Lily Budgets YouTube video. Lily Cohen says she finds the public accountability of her popular videos helpful, but the cash can be cumbersome.

Courtesy Lily Cohen

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High-rises built with wood are showing up as sustainable building options

by Kate Grumke

Dec 30, 2024

Cross laminated timber can be used in high-rise structures, as a replacement for materials with a high carbon footprint. And it also locks carbon into buildings for decades.

Apartments in the Ascent building in Milwaukee have exposed wood beams and ceilings, showing off the cross-laminated timber that both sequesters carbon and allows the structure to reach high-rise heights.

Courtesy Korb Architecture

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Music from the episode

"Told You So" Paramore

"Time Will Tell" Arms and Sleepers

"Little Push" Mocky, Liliana Andrade

"Dream Chorus" Tokimonsta

"Everything Now" Arcade Fire

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer

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