scripod.com

Everything’s more expensive!! Pet care!! Concert tickets!! (Two Indicators)

Shownote

People in the U.S. are feeling the financial squeeze, in part because of rising inflation, higher consumer prices and slowing job growth. The Indicator from Planet Money is tackling a special series on the rising cost of living. Today, two stories from tha...

Highlights

Americans are grappling with the realities of a rising cost of living, where everyday expenses—from entertainment to healthcare for pets—are stretching household budgets. This episode dives into two surprising corners of the economy where inflation hits particularly hard: concert tickets and veterinary bills.
09:01
Maine implements a 10% cap on ticket resale prices to prevent gouging
11:02
Most pet owners skip necessary vet care due to cost
13:45
Baumol's cost disease explains rising vet care prices due to labor intensity.

Chapters

Why are concert tickets so expensive—and who's really profiting?
00:00
Do resellers fix broken pricing or just make it worse?
05:58
Can state laws stop ticket bots—or do they just move elsewhere?
09:01
Why is taking your pet to the vet starting to feel like a luxury?
12:02
What’s really driving up pet care costs—and how can owners cope?
15:05

Transcript

Darian Woods: This is Planet Money from NPR. Wailin Wong: Molly Obomsawin is a composer, slash bassist, slash singer-songwriter. She plays different genres, from jazz to rock. She actually just performed two shows with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. And Molly says tha...