NPR's Planet Money
@planetmoney.bsky.social
Don't just understand the economy – understand the world.
A few years ago, the Jamaican government made an unusual bet.
It went to investors around the world asking if they'd like to wager on the chances a major hurricane would hit the island in the next couple of years.
Would that bet pay off? And for whom?
It went to investors around the world asking if they'd like to wager on the chances a major hurricane would hit the island in the next couple of years.
Would that bet pay off? And for whom?
How hurricanes became a hot investment : Planet Money
A few years ago, the Jamaican government started making an unusual financial bet. It went to investors around the world asking if they'd like to wager on the chances a major hurricane would hit the…
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A few years ago, the Jamaican government made an unusual bet.
It went to investors around the world asking if they'd like to wager on the chances a major hurricane would hit the island in the next couple of years.
Would that bet pay off? And for whom?
It went to investors around the world asking if they'd like to wager on the chances a major hurricane would hit the island in the next couple of years.
Would that bet pay off? And for whom?
Listeners, we’re asking you to vote for us.
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Vote for Planet Money or The Indicator here:
NPR is determining which podcast is definitively, objectively, and by-all-conceivable measures ... best. And we need you to tell them the truth: It’s us.
Vote for Planet Money or The Indicator here:
Cast your vote for NPR's Pod Club Awards!
'Tis the season to celebrate your favorite podcast.
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Listeners, we’re asking you to vote for us.
NPR is determining which podcast is definitively, objectively, and by-all-conceivable measures ... best. And we need you to tell them the truth: It’s us.
Vote for Planet Money or The Indicator here:
NPR is determining which podcast is definitively, objectively, and by-all-conceivable measures ... best. And we need you to tell them the truth: It’s us.
Vote for Planet Money or The Indicator here:
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
After USAID got cut, I asked GiveWell if @planetmoney.bsky.social could ride along as they tried to figure out if and how to jump into the void. They said yes. They recorded weeks and weeks of deliberations. Here is the episode about it: www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
www.npr.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:38 AM
After USAID got cut, I asked GiveWell if @planetmoney.bsky.social could ride along as they tried to figure out if and how to jump into the void. They said yes. They recorded weeks and weeks of deliberations. Here is the episode about it: www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
In the wake of USAID cuts, global aid programs had to drastically reduce their work. Private philanthropic groups tried to jump in. On today’s show, we get to listen in on one group’s decision-making: Givewell figures out if it can fund a program in Cameroon.
Saving lives with fewer dollars : Planet Money
Givewell is a nonprofit organization that gives money to “save or improve the most lives per dollar.” Part of their whole thing is a rigorous research process with copious and specific datapoints.…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
In the wake of USAID cuts, global aid programs had to drastically reduce their work. Private philanthropic groups tried to jump in. On today’s show, we get to listen in on one group’s decision-making: Givewell figures out if it can fund a program in Cameroon.
Today, a consumer spending mystery. Consumer sentiment about the economy is down, interest rates are still high, inflation is growing, tariffs have made the prices of goods go up. And yet, overall consumer spending looks good. But is the economy actually healthy?
buff.ly/NsfkHU7
buff.ly/NsfkHU7
November 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Today, a consumer spending mystery. Consumer sentiment about the economy is down, interest rates are still high, inflation is growing, tariffs have made the prices of goods go up. And yet, overall consumer spending looks good. But is the economy actually healthy?
buff.ly/NsfkHU7
buff.ly/NsfkHU7
So … are we feeling the tariffs yet? Like, are tariffs hiking prices at grocery stores and coffee shops?
On today’s episode, we get to the bottom of those questions, bust a collectible aardvark doll out of tariff jail and soft launch a soap opera.
buff.ly/y7H6WW6
On today’s episode, we get to the bottom of those questions, bust a collectible aardvark doll out of tariff jail and soft launch a soap opera.
buff.ly/y7H6WW6
npr.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
So … are we feeling the tariffs yet? Like, are tariffs hiking prices at grocery stores and coffee shops?
On today’s episode, we get to the bottom of those questions, bust a collectible aardvark doll out of tariff jail and soft launch a soap opera.
buff.ly/y7H6WW6
On today’s episode, we get to the bottom of those questions, bust a collectible aardvark doll out of tariff jail and soft launch a soap opera.
buff.ly/y7H6WW6
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
My latest from Planet Money is about the plumbing behind Scott Bessent’s offer to (functionally) loan Argentina $20 billion.
The US has offered $20 billion to Argentina. Congress didn’t authorize it–the money comes from an obscure Treasury slush fund called the Exchange Stabilization Fund. Where did this fund come from? And how likely is this bet on Argentina to pay off?
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
November 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
My latest from Planet Money is about the plumbing behind Scott Bessent’s offer to (functionally) loan Argentina $20 billion.
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
we had our dear @matt-levine.bsky.social on @planetmoney.bsky.social PLUS (our subscription platform) to talk about why Margin Call is the greatest finance movie ever made: www.npr.org/2025/11/18/n...
Is this the greatest finance movie ever? (Planet Money+) : Planet Money
Set early on in the 2008 financial crisis, the film “Margin Call” zeros in on one investment firm and the actions of a handful of key players -- from its CEO to an entry-level risk analyst -- over a t...
www.npr.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM
we had our dear @matt-levine.bsky.social on @planetmoney.bsky.social PLUS (our subscription platform) to talk about why Margin Call is the greatest finance movie ever made: www.npr.org/2025/11/18/n...
The US has offered $20 billion to Argentina. Congress didn’t authorize it–the money comes from an obscure Treasury slush fund called the Exchange Stabilization Fund. Where did this fund come from? And how likely is this bet on Argentina to pay off?
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
November 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The US has offered $20 billion to Argentina. Congress didn’t authorize it–the money comes from an obscure Treasury slush fund called the Exchange Stabilization Fund. Where did this fund come from? And how likely is this bet on Argentina to pay off?
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
buff.ly/kcsPx8e
How do Buy Now, Pay Later companies make money from our online shopping? Think Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm.
One way is by getting you to spend more money than you normally would.
We ask, are these services ever a good deal? And for whom?
buff.ly/6qS1jMH
One way is by getting you to spend more money than you normally would.
We ask, are these services ever a good deal? And for whom?
buff.ly/6qS1jMH
npr.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
How do Buy Now, Pay Later companies make money from our online shopping? Think Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm.
One way is by getting you to spend more money than you normally would.
We ask, are these services ever a good deal? And for whom?
buff.ly/6qS1jMH
One way is by getting you to spend more money than you normally would.
We ask, are these services ever a good deal? And for whom?
buff.ly/6qS1jMH
The typical prison job, like being a cook, pays maybe $0.63 cents per hour. In seven states, people in prison don’t have to be paid at all. But now, some prisoners are earning fair market wages while they’re incarcerated. And the pay… can be six figures.
buff.ly/QuPkrOv
buff.ly/QuPkrOv
November 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The typical prison job, like being a cook, pays maybe $0.63 cents per hour. In seven states, people in prison don’t have to be paid at all. But now, some prisoners are earning fair market wages while they’re incarcerated. And the pay… can be six figures.
buff.ly/QuPkrOv
buff.ly/QuPkrOv
We're going live now on Zoom to talk about updates on our board game project. Come join Kenny, Erika, and Exploding Kittens. Bring questions. npr.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Planet Money Board Game Live Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Kenny, Erika and Elan will talk about the new game design and take your questions and feedback.
npr.zoom.us
November 1, 2025 at 6:58 PM
We're going live now on Zoom to talk about updates on our board game project. Come join Kenny, Erika, and Exploding Kittens. Bring questions. npr.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reminder: We go live at 3pm ET TODAY to share updates on our Board Game project and take questions. Sign up here:
buff.ly/LASbINs
buff.ly/LASbINs
November 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reminder: We go live at 3pm ET TODAY to share updates on our Board Game project and take questions. Sign up here:
buff.ly/LASbINs
buff.ly/LASbINs
The government shutdown has put millions at risk of losing their SNAP benefits. But, even after the shutdown ends, SNAP will still be in danger in a more permanent way.
buff.ly/gJHASpB
buff.ly/gJHASpB
npr.org
November 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The government shutdown has put millions at risk of losing their SNAP benefits. But, even after the shutdown ends, SNAP will still be in danger in a more permanent way.
buff.ly/gJHASpB
buff.ly/gJHASpB
24 hours until we go live to talk about the Planet Money board game project. Register here:
buff.ly/LASbINs
buff.ly/LASbINs
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Planet Money Board Game Live Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Kenny, Erika and Elan will talk about the new game design and take your questions and feedback.
npr.zoom.us
October 31, 2025 at 7:22 PM
24 hours until we go live to talk about the Planet Money board game project. Register here:
buff.ly/LASbINs
buff.ly/LASbINs
The U.S. has long been the biggest source of remittances worldwide. But with immigration plummeting and the current ICE crackdowns, we try to figure out why remittances are surging in some countries. And why that surge in money sent home inspires joy – but also fear.
The remittance mystery : Planet Money
For decades, the U.S. has been the single biggest source of remittances worldwide. A remittance is a transfer of money, typically from an immigrant to their family in their country of origin. But we…
buff.ly
October 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The U.S. has long been the biggest source of remittances worldwide. But with immigration plummeting and the current ICE crackdowns, we try to figure out why remittances are surging in some countries. And why that surge in money sent home inspires joy – but also fear.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, western countries sanctioned Russian oil. But Russian oil exporters quickly sailed around them, building a shadow fleet of rickety oil tankers to move that sanctioned oil around the world.
www.npr.org
October 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
When Russia invaded Ukraine, western countries sanctioned Russian oil. But Russian oil exporters quickly sailed around them, building a shadow fleet of rickety oil tankers to move that sanctioned oil around the world.
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
I talked with @wailinwong.bsky.social of NPR @planetmoney.bsky.social about the US Administration’s unprecedented policy to slash immigration by high-skill STEM workers
Americans can expect diminished innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity across all sectors
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
Americans can expect diminished innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity across all sectors
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
We're about to lose a lot of foreign STEM workers : The Indicator from Planet Money
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitioners. Today on the show, we talk to an economist about how much H-1B visa holders have contributed to US gro...
www.npr.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I talked with @wailinwong.bsky.social of NPR @planetmoney.bsky.social about the US Administration’s unprecedented policy to slash immigration by high-skill STEM workers
Americans can expect diminished innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity across all sectors
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
Americans can expect diminished innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity across all sectors
www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
@planetmoney.bsky.social made a board game! First episode about it is out now. A version of it was tested at my board game day.
I love hearing about the industry wide aspiration to create a Monopoly killer. Monopoly is not a great game.🤘
www.npr.org/series/g-s1-...
I love hearing about the industry wide aspiration to create a Monopoly killer. Monopoly is not a great game.🤘
www.npr.org/series/g-s1-...
Planet Money Makes A Boardgame
Planet Money is making a board game!We're partnering with Exploding Kittens to create a board game, which will be available for purchase in fall 2026.We'll periodically publish episodes between now an...
www.npr.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
@planetmoney.bsky.social made a board game! First episode about it is out now. A version of it was tested at my board game day.
I love hearing about the industry wide aspiration to create a Monopoly killer. Monopoly is not a great game.🤘
www.npr.org/series/g-s1-...
I love hearing about the industry wide aspiration to create a Monopoly killer. Monopoly is not a great game.🤘
www.npr.org/series/g-s1-...
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
Episode 2 with @planetmoney.bsky.social is out! Listen to us bring this game to life. You can also download the print-at-home prototype of the game and tell us what you think at planetmoneygame.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Episode 2 with @planetmoney.bsky.social is out! Listen to us bring this game to life. You can also download the print-at-home prototype of the game and tell us what you think at planetmoneygame.com
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
Did you know you can download a prototype of the @planetmoney.bsky.social game? A friend of a friend printed this one. This is the most amazing home print job I’ve seen. He even made a box! Download your copy today at planetmoneygame.com and send us feedback if you’d like! Thanks for sharing Henry
October 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Did you know you can download a prototype of the @planetmoney.bsky.social game? A friend of a friend printed this one. This is the most amazing home print job I’ve seen. He even made a box! Download your copy today at planetmoneygame.com and send us feedback if you’d like! Thanks for sharing Henry
Reposted by NPR's Planet Money
The Treasury basis trade, OR: how the US government got hedge funded, on today's @planetmoney.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/10/10/n...
How the government got hedge funded : Planet Money
The U.S. government spends a ton of money, on everything from Medicare to roads to defense. In fact, it spends way more than it takes in. So…it borrows money, in the bond market. By selling U.S. Treas...
www.npr.org
October 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The Treasury basis trade, OR: how the US government got hedge funded, on today's @planetmoney.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/10/10/n...
Go to planetmoneybook.com to preorder our new book! It's filled with brand-new stories about all the economic forces that affect our lives — it’s everything you love about Planet Money, but in book-form. Preordering gets you one free month of Planet Money+ AND a Limited Edition poster!
Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life - The Planet Money Book
For their first-ever book, longtime contributor Alex Mayyasi and the hosts of NPR's Planet Money present brand new stories with insights gathered from more than a decade of reporting that reveal ways ...
planetmoneybook.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Go to planetmoneybook.com to preorder our new book! It's filled with brand-new stories about all the economic forces that affect our lives — it’s everything you love about Planet Money, but in book-form. Preordering gets you one free month of Planet Money+ AND a Limited Edition poster!
The U.S. government spends way more money than it brings in. So, it borrows money – in the form of U.S. treasuries, which it sells on the international bond market in exchange for interest payments.
October 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The U.S. government spends way more money than it brings in. So, it borrows money – in the form of U.S. treasuries, which it sells on the international bond market in exchange for interest payments.
In 1975, New York City ran out of money. Teachers went on strike. Garbage piled up in the streets. For months, the city teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. On today’s show, the story of how NYC was saved. And how it changed the way the city was run, forever.
The year NYC went broke : Planet Money
In 1975, New York City ran out of money. For a decade it had managed to pay for its hundreds of thousands of city employees and robust social services by taking on billions of dollars in debt. But…
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
In 1975, New York City ran out of money. Teachers went on strike. Garbage piled up in the streets. For months, the city teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. On today’s show, the story of how NYC was saved. And how it changed the way the city was run, forever.