ECONOMY

The economic arguments for and against Biden's student debt relief plans

4:39pm August 25, 2022

by Scott Horsley

President Biden's plan to erase up to $20,000 in college debt for tens of millions of borrowers is drawing praise and criticism. Some welcome relief, but others say he should address tuition costs.

Queue Listen Now

Macy's, the nation's largest department store chain, has scaled back its sales forecast for the year.

What our shopping choices say about the U.S. economy

2:50pm August 25, 2022

by Alina Selyukh

Here's what we learned from a hectic spate of financial report cards shared by top U.S. retailers.

Economy

Encore: Drivers question whether it's worth it as Uber and Lyft cut incentives

5:07am August 25, 2022

by Raquel Maria Dillon

With inflation running high, more people are driving for Uber and Lyft. Most of them say the cost of living is why they signed up. (Story first aired on All Things Considered on Aug. 8, 2022.)

Economy

People are gathering for the Fed's annual meeting in Jackson Hole

5:07am August 25, 2022

The markets are watching as the Federal Reserve holds its annual meeting in Wyoming. NPR's A Martinez talks to David Wessel of the Brookings Institution for a preview.

My 1999 Toyota Tacoma was stolen, crashed, and stripped for parts.

Someone stole my truck. I got a crash course on the wild black market for stolen cars

7:04pm August 23, 2022

by Greg Rosalsky

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, automakers began adopting an anti-theft technology that dramatically reduced car thefts. But why did it take so long?

Student loan payments are about to restart. Can American families afford them?

4:41pm August 23, 2022

After being on pause throughout the pandemic, student loan payments are expected to restart on Aug. 31, devastating household budgets across the country.

Country stores — a hallmark of rural life — deal with the challenge of inflation

4:26pm August 22, 2022

by Stephan Bisaha

Country stores are a hallmark of rural life. Many have survived for more than 100 years by learning to adapt. Today, they face a new challenge: inflation.

Some Uber and Lyft drivers question whether its worth it as companies cut incentives

4:14pm August 22, 2022

by Raquel Maria Dillon

With inflation running high, more people are driving for Uber and Lyft. Uber's CEO said that lots of new drivers signing on, but over 70% of them say that cost of living is the main reason.

Back-to-school stress is amplified by inflation affecting the cost of supplies

8:15am August 21, 2022

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Tomicia Gray, a single mother in Charlotte, N.C., about the onerous cost of school supplies.

The SolDias ice cream stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area noticed some customers were downsizing their orders this summer. The chain is exploring ways to cut costs to keep prices in reach.

Economy

These are some of the ways inflation is changing Americans' spending habits

5:01am August 21, 2022

by Scott Horsley

From Walmart to the neighborhood supermarket, retailers across the country are having to adjust as Americans watch their pennies in the face of high inflation.

Queue Listen Now