Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/10/02/445371930/episode-655-pay-patients-save-money
Summary: The Planet Money team shines a light on a business that helps people save money on healthcare expenses in way similar to a travel agency that shows the prices of different flights and destinations.
Original Air Date: October 5, 2015
Length: 19 minutes 1 second
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/09/25/443519599/episode-653-the-anti-store
Summary: In this podcast the planet money team dissects the bulk grocery industry of places such as Price Club, Costco, and Jet to see how much the consumer is really saving and how the businesses make a profit from that.
Original Air date: September 23, 2015
Length: 15 minutes and 9 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/economy/special-shopping-day-overload
Summary: The number of shoppers on Black Friday was down this year (2014). Because of the ease in comparing prices online to find the best deal, Black Friday (and the whole weekend) has become a ritual team effort of mothers, daughters, and other relatives.
Original Air Date: December 1, 2014
Length: 1 minute 47 seconds
Discussion Question: Is the economy effecting how many people shop on the Black Friday weekend? Or is it something else that’s driving the number of shoppers down?
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/economy/americans-appear-ready-go-shopping-again
Summary: Consumer reports conclude Americans are ready to spend again. The market is on the rise, especially as the recession fades.
Original Air Date: September 25, 2014
Length: 1 minute 28 seconds
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