We answer the question: are AI data centers making power bills go up for the rest of us. Yes. But of course it’s more complicated than that. Listen:

We have updates! Why it’s still hard for you to unsubscribe from services; where is our diamond now; the Planet Money game has a new version; is there new money in Gaza yet? and more ... buff.ly/EmRxYhi

Has your power bill gone up a lot recently? If so, the reason might be AI data centers and the infrastructure needed to bring them power. On our latest episode, we go to Ohio to figure out which part of the electricity system is most to blame for high prices. buff.ly/2TjkZAa

Made a show about Chicago's infamous parking deal.

Chicago parkers hate this ONE WEIRD BUDGET TRICK!!! Today’s show, a parking privatization parable about that one time Chicago sold its 36,000 parking meters for 75 years. buff.ly/8FufijI

The story of the Army surplus economics, how military designs went from soldiers on the front lines to hippies on the war protest line to yuppies in line at Banana Republic. And why your favorite outdoor brands may be moonlighting as military suppliers. buff.ly/sTp2wXk

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?

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:

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.

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

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

My latest from Planet Money is about the plumbing behind Scott Bessent’s offer to (functionally) loan Argentina $20 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

24 hours until we go live to talk about the Planet Money board game project. Register here: 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.

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.

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...

@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-...

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

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

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!

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.

We want to hear from people whose jobs are affected by the shutdown. If the government hadn’t shut down, what would you be doing today? What is NOT getting done? How is this affecting you? Share your shutdown story with us: [email protected]. (We might use your note in a show!)

We want to make a board game. It has to be fun and teach economics. That’s our goal when we make podcasts. But for a game? We need your help! Give a listen to the latest episode and then tell us what games you love that we should take inspiration from. buff.ly/9SqX3m6

The modern economy relies on the cold chain, an unbroken series of links that keeps food chilled all the way from the farm to your plate. Here’s the story of the birth of that chain, beginning with a thrifty butcher and a train-hopping chemist. buff.ly/ACmIF5P

A few years ago, the Wall Street firm, Jane Street, discovered a sort of goldmine in one of the biggest economies in the world. They became the envy of Wall Street. But when they tried to keep that goldmine a secret, things spiraled out of their control.

on this episode of @planetmoney.bsky.social, Sarah Gonzalez looks at the state of money in Gaza right now. how to get money into Gaza, how to get money out of a bank in Gaza, how cash works, and what there is to buy: www.npr.org/2025/09/20/n...

Money in Gaza is falling apart. Israel has been blocking the flow of physical cash into Gaza for almost two years. Now, two best friends – one in Gaza and one in Belgium – are finding ways to get money in – in order to get people food, milk, tents.

Do you know the exact year that CEO pay took off? And why then? It wasn’t exactly on purpose, and on our latest ep, an update on a 2016 episode, we find the cause (Hint: Two words - stock compensation).

So the United States now owns a major stake in the microchip company Intel. Why is that such a big deal? And what does it say about Trump’s unconventional approach to managing the economy?

Parents & Teachers! Want to read us your school supply list this year and tell us if it cost more than last? Send us a note at [email protected].

There’s one question we seem to be hearing everywhere lately: “Is my job safe from AI?” If only there were a list that could tell you how likely you are to lose your job to AI. We go looking, and come away knowing more about our future robot overlords…and ourselves. buff.ly/aYM3siI

Internet addresses can be worth big bucks. Take milk.com. Experts told us could go for millions. But right now, milk.com is just some guy's website with cat photos and coding projects. Huh? On our latest show: We go inside the strange market for domain names. buff.ly/k34BCgi

Today's @planetmoney.bsky.social is on the unprecedented interference at the Fed. So....what actually is the Fed board, why does it matter, and what we might be in for? www.npr.org/2025/08/29/n...

On Monday, President Trump attempted to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. Cook has countered with a lawsuit against Trump. On our latest episode, we look inside the Federal Reserve Board, and what it might mean for the economy if Trump gets more control.

Drugs like Ozempic have exploded in popularity, ever since people realized they can help them lose weight. But, what happens when a drug takes off like this? Basically goes viral? How does the pharmaceutical industry keep up with demand? And what happens when it can’t? buff.ly/belvXeo

We'd like to hear from moms who've left the workforce for an upcoming Indicator episode. Reach out to [email protected], and we may get in touch.

Food prices are almost 30% higher than 5 years ago. We’re reminded of that on every trip to the grocery store.

On this @planetmoney.bsky.social, we visit two countries that have some experience with data manipulation -- Argentina and Greece. To see what happens when governments get tempted to cook the books, and how hard it is to UN-cook them. www.npr.org/2025/08/08/1...

Great to join NPR Planet Money's latest episode. I talked about Argentina's manipulation of inflation data in 2007, and George Papaconstantinou shared Greece's story --showing that when people lose trust in public data, it is very hard to win it back. www.npr.org/transcripts/...

Health care is different from other goods. If people can’t pay for health care, they don’t suddenly stop needing it. So, where do people get their health care if they don’t have health insurance? Our latest newsletter on why poor health makes us all poorer: www.npr.org/sections/pla...