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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
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

The latest in Money

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
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
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
The present — and future — of the American leftMember 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
What if we celebrated divorces more like weddings?
The Highlight

Divorced people deserve gifts and parties too.

By Whizy Kim
Wait, why is Dr Pepper so popular now?Wait, why is Dr Pepper so popular now?
MoneyMember Exclusive

How the proudly weird beverage became the second-most popular soda in America.

By Whizy Kim
The massive dock workers’ strike, explainedThe massive dock workers’ strike, explained
Labor

The dock workers’ strike could mean big wage gains but could further disrupt the fragile supply chain.

By Ellen Ioanes
The profit-obsessed monster destroying American emergency rooms
Health Care

Private equity decimated emergency care in the United States — without you even noticing.

By Keren Landman, MD
Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina. Helene just drowned it.Your phones and computers rely on this remote mine in North Carolina. Helene just drowned it.
ClimateMember Exclusive

Hurricane Helene exposed the vulnerable underbelly of the global chip industry.

By Adam Clark Estes
Trump and Harris could raise taxes without asking Congress. Congress should stop them.Trump and Harris could raise taxes without asking Congress. Congress should stop them.
Policy

Why are tariffs the only tax that Congress doesn’t need to approve?

By Dylan Matthews
Should I sacrifice my emergency savings to pay off a loan?
Life

Using your savings to pay off a loan can be tempting. Is it worth it?

By Nicole Dieker Finley
The real impact of the Teamsters’ non-endorsementThe real impact of the Teamsters’ non-endorsement
Politics

The Teamsters aren’t endorsing a Trump or Harris. Does it matter?

By Ellen Ioanes
If interest rates go down, do home prices go down? Not quite.If interest rates go down, do home prices go down? Not quite.
Economy

The Fed has cut interest rates. That might not immediately help home buyers waiting on the sidelines.

By Nicole Narea
Do the benefits of the expanded child tax credit actually fade with time?Do the benefits of the expanded child tax credit actually fade with time?
Future Perfect

A new study argues the long-run benefits outweigh the costs nearly 10 to 1.

By Oshan Jarow
Crypto is betting it all on the 2024 electionsCrypto is betting it all on the 2024 elections
Money

The industry is spending huge sums of cash to convince everyone it’s not a flop.

By Whizy Kim
Why the SpaceX spacewalk is such a huge dealWhy the SpaceX spacewalk is such a huge deal
Science

The mission tested lots of new technology for future, longer missions.

By Ellen Ioanes