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Money

How we make and spend money, and how economics influences the world around us.

Artificial intelligence isn’t a good argument for basic income
Future Perfect

A major study backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman shows unconditional cash has benefits that have nothing to do with AI.

By Oshan Jarow
Artificial intelligence isn’t a good argument for basic income
Future Perfect

A major study backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman shows unconditional cash has benefits that have nothing to do with AI.

By Oshan Jarow
The tax penalty on married women hiding in plain sightThe tax penalty on married women hiding in plain sight
Policy

Millions would be better off if the US changed its joint filing system.

By Rachel Cohen
Why do people think Republicans are better for the economy?Why do people think Republicans are better for the economy?
Explain It to MeMember Exclusive

Since World War II, the economy has, on average, fared better when Democrats are in the White House.

By Abdallah Fayyad
Crumbl’s massive empire was never about the cookiesCrumbl’s massive empire was never about the cookies
MoneyMember Exclusive

How the dessert company taps into the never-ending cycle of hyper-consumption.

By Whizy Kim

The latest in Money

Why bitcoin is boomingWhy bitcoin is booming
Bitcoin

The crypto industry is excited about a second Trump presidency.

By Ellen Ioanes and Nicole Narea
Is AI progress slowing down?Is AI progress slowing down?
Future Perfect

Maybe — but it matters much less than you think.

By Kelsey Piper
France’s government just collapsed. What does that actually mean?France’s government just collapsed. What does that actually mean?
World Politics

The political crisis is months in the making

By Ellen Ioanes
Black Friday is a trapBlack Friday is a trap
Money

What you should buy — and absolutely not buy — during this annual consumer ritual.

By Lavanya Ramanathan and Izzie Ramirez
Trump’s tariff plan is an inflation planTrump’s tariff plan is an inflation plan
Trump 2.0, explainedMember Exclusive

New tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China could make life more expensive.

By Ellen Ioanes
Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?Could tweaks to the tax code lead to more marriages — and more kids?
Policy

Some pronatalists say we should end financial penalties for couples who tie the knot.

By Rachel Cohen
The perils of using payment apps as your bank accountThe perils of using payment apps as your bank account
Technology

Yes, you can use an app as your checking account — but there are risks.

By Adam Clark Estes
Should I pay someone to invest for me?
Even Better

Managing your portfolio with an adviser can be helpful.

By Nicole Dieker Finley
Elon Musk and the age of shameless oligarchyElon Musk and the age of shameless oligarchy
Money

We’ve never seen a political donor this loud, proud, and culturally influential.

By Whizy Kim
Biden wants to free you from all those subscriptions you meant to cancel but didn’tBiden wants to free you from all those subscriptions you meant to cancel but didn’t
Policy

It’s the latest way Biden is trying to combat pesky “junk fees” driving up prices.

By Nicole Narea
Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?Americans are eating less meat. And more meat. How?
Future Perfect

The growing chasm in American meat consumption, explained.

By Kenny Torrella
There’s never been a better time to buy a used phoneThere’s never been a better time to buy a used phone
Technology

Buying refurbished devices saves you money — and helps the planet.

By Adam Clark Estes
Trump loves tariffs. Will the rest of America?Trump loves tariffs. Will the rest of America?
Trump 2.0, explained

If enacted, his plan could remake world trade — and squeeze US consumers.

By Haleema Shah and Noel King
Holiday travel can break the bank. Here’s how to manage expectations.
How to get through the holidays without going broke

You don’t have to go into debt out of a sense of obligation.

By Allie Volpe
Why do hotel lobbies smell like that?Why do hotel lobbies smell like that?
Explain It to Me

Scent is a way to draw you in and, hopefully, get you to open your wallet.

By Whizy Kim
The surprisingly selfish reason people give terrible gifts
How to get through the holidays without going broke

And what to do with presents you just don’t want.

By Whizy Kim
Why so many families are “drowning in toys”
How to get through the holidays without going broke

America is in toy overload, and it might just be ruining fun.

By Anna North
Are you a bad gift-giver? Here’s how to tell, according to a pro.
How to get through the holidays without going broke

What normies can learn from a concierge gifting service for celebrities.

By Alex Abad-Santos
How to get through the holidays without going brokeHow to get through the holidays without going broke
Even Better

The Even Better guide to an Even Better holiday season.

By Vox Staff
Why we obsess over giving “the perfect gift” — and how to stop
How to get through the holidays without going broke

5 rules for recovering gift perfectionists.

By Melinda Fakuade
How to host holiday gatherings without losing your mind
How to get through the holidays without going broke

Experts share tips on entertaining on a small budget — and an even smaller space.

By Rebecca Jennings
What to buy before Trump makes everything more expensiveWhat to buy before Trump makes everything more expensive
Trump 2.0, explainedMember Exclusive

Tariffs and rebate cuts are coming for your favorite gadgets and appliances.

By Adam Clark Estes
How Big Toilet Paper dupes us allHow Big Toilet Paper dupes us all
MoneyMember Exclusive

The wild, nonsensical world of toilet paper math, explained.

By Whizy Kim
Trump’s tariffs could tank the economy. Will the Supreme Court stop them?Trump’s tariffs could tank the economy. Will the Supreme Court stop them?
Trump 2.0, explained

President-elect Trump is his own worst enemy, unless his fellow Republicans on the Supreme Court intervene.

By Ian Millhiser
Germany’s political upheaval, explainedGermany’s political upheaval, explained
World Politics

There are economic reasons behind the ruling coalition’s collapse on Wednesday.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why Democrats couldn’t sell a strong economy, in 3 chartsWhy Democrats couldn’t sell a strong economy, in 3 charts
2024 Elections

Top-line indicators pointed to cooling inflation and a strong economy. What did Democrats miss?

By Nicole Narea
How news organizations call the election — and why you should trust themHow news organizations call the election — and why you should trust them
2024 Elections

The science of election calls, explained.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why the Pentagon just can’t quit Elon MuskWhy the Pentagon just can’t quit Elon Musk
Defense & SecurityMember Exclusive

How Musk’s SpaceX became too big to fail for US national security.

By Joshua Keating
Why Trump and Republicans think they have a chance in NevadaWhy Trump and Republicans think they have a chance in Nevada
Audio
Today, Explained podcast

Nevada has voted blue since 2008. Will that change this year?

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Inside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit companyInside OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar gambit to become a for-profit company
Future Perfect

OpenAI’s transition isn’t what you think. The stakes are tens of billions of dollars — and the future of AI.

By Kelsey Piper
The $1.3 trillion question we may never answerThe $1.3 trillion question we may never answer
Money

A new HBO documentary claims to have found the inventor of bitcoin.

By Whizy Kim
How the wealthy are redrawing the world mapHow the wealthy are redrawing the world map
Future Perfect

A new book explores the world of tax havens and techno-utopias, and asks if they can be used for good.

By Joshua Keating
Investing can be intimidating. Where do I even start?
Even Better

How to assess your finances before you invest in the stock market.

By Nicole Dieker Finley
The Democrats’ pro-union strategy has been a bustThe Democrats’ pro-union strategy has been a bust
America’s faultlinesMember Exclusive

Despite Joe Biden’s historically pro-union policies, the Democrats’ share of the union vote is falling.

By Eric Levitz
Why some economists are skeptical of this year’s NobelistsWhy some economists are skeptical of this year’s Nobelists
Future Perfect

Did they actually figure out why nations fail?

By Dylan Matthews
Is every car dealer trying to rip me off?Is every car dealer trying to rip me off?
Explain It to Me

Why buying a car is the worst kind of shopping.

By Whizy Kim
How to prepare for growing older if you don’t have kidsHow to prepare for growing older if you don’t have kids
Even BetterMember Exclusive

It’s normal to worry about who will care for you, but with a little advance planning, child-free seniors can thrive.

By Seraphina Seow
I’m Gen Z. ​​How can I save for retirement and still enjoy my life?I’m Gen Z. ​​How can I save for retirement and still enjoy my life?
Explain It to Me

A financial expert explains why you can invest wisely and still take that trip.

By Jonquilyn Hill
What if you can’t afford to flee a hurricane?What if you can’t afford to flee a hurricane?
Climate

Evacuating during a climate disaster is necessary. It’s also incredibly expensive.

By Whizy Kim
What you really need to know about divorce and money
The Highlight

How to take charge of your finances, according to two divorce professionals.

By Nicole Dieker Finley