Tuesday's Assorted Links

Vegetable Shortages, Netflix Prices, Southern Credit Scores, TikTok, and Physical Fitness

A striking look at average credit scores across the United States. Learn more with today’s assorted links.

Hi y’all! Here are five stories from this week that contained some neat applications of economic principles or are related to teaching:

1. Cold weather in Southern Europe and empty Dutch greenhouses due to high energy bills have resulted in empty vegetable shelves in the Netherlands [NL Times]

2. Netflix has reduced the price of its service in more than three dozen countries as it tries to appeal to customers who have an ever-growing list of streaming options [The Wall Street Journal]

3. A look at why the South has such low credit scores [The Washington Post]

4. Gen Z turns to TikTok for news more than any other social media [Morning Consult]

5. Americans are more active despite declining interest in team sports [Sportico]

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Gift cards are popular gifts because they are convenient, easy to purchase, and allow the recipient to select their own gift. They also are likely to be left unredeemed as people lose them or forget about them. A new report estimates that the combined value of unspent gift cards comes to about $21 billion! It’s one small part of why many economists consider gift-giving to be inefficient, but it’s also one of the reasons retailers love selling gift cards.

Catch up on Monday’s post:

Society's $21 Billion Problem

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I am VERY behind on my own personal reading goals this year, but I’m hoping Spring Break will help kick me back into my typical reading habits. I have found myself making the same excuses many others make about being too busy or not finding anything that interests me, but I know they’re just excuses.

How to read a lot of books

One of the things I wanted to do this year was read less because I’ve spent the past 2 years reading about 90 books each year. It’s one of the few times you may hear someone say they plan to watch more tv instead of reading! I have a few books lined up and waiting for my attention, but I’d love to hear your recommendations. I still want to hit 52 books this year, and you can help me by leaving a comment and sharing what book you’re reading now: