The Economics of Everyday Things

We’re not sure what that creature cavorting on the sidelines is — but it doesn’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett gets the ballpark figures on everyone’s favorite ballpark figures. This episode was originally published on June 11th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? Zachary Crockett discovers what happens when we love ’em and leave ’em. This episode was originally published on February 12th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out . This episode was originally published on February 2nd, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett digs in. This episode was originally published on January 29th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Economics of Everyday Things is going on an indefinite hiatus.   SOURCES: Zachary Crockett , host of The Economic of Everyday Things .   RESOURCES: Zachary Crockett on Substack .   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Would you pay a professional $2,500 or more to put up your holiday lights? Zachary Crockett is walking in a winter wonderland.   SOURCES: Chuck Smith , creator of Planet Christmas. Dean Lyons , founder and CEO of Bright Nights.   RESOURCES: " The Suburban Maximalists Making Viral Christmas Displays ," by Graham Hacia (WIRED, 2017). " Incandescent vs. LED Christmas Lights: How Much Does it Impact Y...

Trees are more than decoration — they’re living economic assets, with measurable costs and benefits for cities and neighborhoods. Zachary Crockett takes a walk on the shady side of the street.   SOURCES: Geoffrey Donovan , owner of Ash & Elm Consulting. Jana Dilley , urban forester for the city of Seattle. Kathleen Wolf , social scientist, former researcher at the University of Washington.   RESOU...

Grab a simple bouquet from your local grocery store and you're activating a global network of farms, shipping companies, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Zachary Crockett stops to smell the roses.   SOURCES: Bob Mellano , vice president of wholesale operations for Mellano & Company. Jasmine Gomez-Gonzalez , chief operations officer at OC Wholesale Flowers.   RESOURCES: " From Colombia wit...

Shoe repair shops are a dying breed — but for those that remain, demand is higher than ever. Zachary Crockett goes in for a shine.   SOURCES: Jim McFarland , owner of McFarland’s Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida.   RESOURCES: " Shoe cobbler becomes unlikely TikTok star ," (NBC News, 2024). " Cobblers face extinction - and are busier than ever ," by Diana Nelson James (AP, 2019). Shoe Service Insti...

The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn.   SOURCES: Ed Currie , founder and president of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. Stephanie Walker , associate professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist at New Mexico State University   RESOURCES: " Pepper X Dethrones Carolina Reaper as World’s Hottest Chili Pepper ," by Sanj Atwal ( Guinness World Records,...

How much does it cost to design and build a mini-golf course? And what’s it like to run one? Zachary Crockett putts things in perspective.   SOURCES: Katie Conaboy , CEO and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf. Sal Conaboy , president and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf. Mike Matsinger , owner of Surf's Up Mini Golf.   RESOURCES: " The Evolution of Miniature Golf ," (National Golf Foundation, 2022...

How do flavorists capture the essence of a fruit and put it in a can of sparkling water, or a tub of yogurt? Zachary Crockett takes a bite.   SOURCES: Terry Miesle , master flavorist at Sensient Technologies Corporation.   RESOURCES: " Flavor and Well‐Being: A Comprehensive Review of Food Choices, Nutrition, and Health Interactions ," by Sakhawot Hossain, Abdul Wazed, Sharmin Asha, Alomgir Hossen,...

A day on the job includes hundreds of quarters, giant balls of lint, and fishing weird stuff out of machines. Zachary Crockett throws in a load.   SOURCES: Jordan Berry , owner of Laundromat Resource.   RESOURCES: " Appliances in U.S. homes, by housing unit type, 2020 ," (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023). " How the Washing Machine Liberated The Masses ," by Allen Therisa (Culturescape...

Running a campground isn’t all eating s'mores around the campfire. Zachary Crockett fans the flames.   SOURCES: Mark Lemoine , owner, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground; sr. vice president, franchise operations at Kampgrounds of America.   RESOURCES: " The Economic Impact of Parks ," (National Recreation and Park Association, 2023). " Campground Industry Analysis ," (CHM Government Service,...

When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from? Zachary Crockett pulls up to the pump.   SOURCES: Garrett Golding , assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Jeetander P. Sethi , founding member of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association. Kai Trimble-Lea , owner of a B.P. gas station in Milwaukee, Wisc...

Every year, thousands of products are recalled from store shelves. How does the process work — and who foots the bill? Zachary Crockett gets a refund on his frozen shrimp.   SOURCES: Chris Harvey , senior vice president at Sedgwick.   RESOURCES: " FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm ," (FDA, 2025). " U.S. product recalls reach second...

In a sport that generates more than $3.5 billion a year, teams compete in cars that cost $70 million to develop and build — and a split-second to crash. Zachary Crockett assesses the damage.   SOURCES: Steve Cripps , chief financial officer at Williams Racing.   RESOURCES: " Everything you need to know about F1 – Drivers, teams, cars, circuits and more ," (Formula 1, 2025). " How Williams, F1’s ul...

The world’s oldest advertising medium has reconfigured itself for the digital age. Zachary Crockett looks up.   SOURCES: Anna Bager , president and C.E.O. of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America. Dan Levi , chief marketing officer at Clear Channel Outdoor.   RESOURCES: " Advertising Proves Resilient Amidst Economic Uncertainty, " ( Magna Global , 2025). " Clear Channel Outdoor Holdin...

Some singles choose to skip the apps and get fixed up the old-fashioned way — but it doesn't come cheap. Zachary Crockett puts himself out there.   SOURCES: Maria Avgitidis , C.E.O. of Agape Match and author of Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love.   RESOURCES: " Dating Apps Have Hit a Wall. Can They Turn Things Around? " by J. Edward Moreno (New York Times, 2024)...

They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate.   SOURCES: Julie Roys , founder of the Roys Report. Scott Thumma , professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.   RESOURCES: " The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across t...

Pure maple syrup can be five times as expensive as “pancake syrup,” but maple farmers — and breakfast connoisseurs — say it’s worth it. Zachary Crockett pours it on thick.   SOURCES: Emma Marvin , co-C.E.O. of Butternut Mountain Farm. David Marvin , founder of Butternut Mountain Farm.   RESOURCES: " Crop Production ," by National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, 2025). " Why Americans Overwh...

Why did it take so long to invent a longer-lasting bulb? Zachary Crockett finds the answer illuminating.   SOURCES: Heather Dillon , mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Tacoma. Jane Brox , author of the 2010 book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light. Markus Krajewski , philosopher and historian of technology at the University of Basel in Switzerland.   RESOU...

How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer.   SOURCES: Eric Goldman , professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law.   RESOURCES: " Canadian Court Rules 👍 Emoji Counts as a Contract Agreement ," by Michael Levenson (New York Times, 2023). " Former Bed Bath...

How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain.   SOURCES: Meredith Baer , founder of Meridith Baer Home. Cindy Lin , founder and lead instructor at Staged4more School of Home Staging. Karen Prince , author and home staging consultant.   RESOURCES: " How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Real Estate Game ," by Kate Dubinski ( C.B.C. News, 20...

They expose fraud, catch cheating spouses, and track down missing assets — but they don’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett takes the case.   SOURCES: Ashley Wardlow , chief operating officer at Nathans Investigations.   RESOURCES: " Eugène-François Vidocq and the Birth of the Detective ," by Daisy Sainsbury (The Public Domain Review, 2024). " The Pinkerton Story - Chapter 1 ," (The Pinkerton Foundatio...