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Scroogenomics
Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the HolidaysBy Joel WaldfogelNarrated by Lloyd JamesLength3h 52m
About this audiobook
This audiobook narrated by Lloyd James reveals how consumer spending during the holidays generates enormous amounts of economic waste
Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and . . . gift giving. Lots and lots—and lots—of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive—the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock? Lively and informed,
Scroogenomics illuminates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste—to the shocking tune of eighty-five billion dollars each winter. Economist Joel Waldfogel provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays.
When we buy for ourselves, every dollar we spend produces at least a dollar in satisfaction, because we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied, creating what Waldfogel calls "deadweight loss." Waldfogel discusses how this waste isn't confined to Americans—most major economies share in this orgy of wealth destruction. While recognizing the difficulties of altering current trends, Waldfogel offers viable gift-giving alternatives.
Audiobook details
GenreBusiness and Economics, Spirituality and Religion
Length3 hrs 52 mins
Narrated byLloyd James
FormatAudiobook
Publish dateOct 5, 2009
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Preface
9Chapter 8: Have Yourself a Borrowed Little Christmas
2Chapter 1: Introduction
10Chapter 9: Is Christmas Like Spam, Underwear, or Caviar?
3Chapter 2: Spending & Satisfaction
11Chapter 10: Christmas and Commercialism
4Chapter 3: U.S. Holiday Spending
12Chapter 11: Stop Carping; It's All for the Best
5Chapter 4: How Much Waste Occurs at Christmas?
13Chapter 12: Making Giving More Efficient with Cash & Gift Cards
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6Chapter 5: Why We Do It
14Chapter 13: Giving and Redistribution
7Chapter 6: Giving and Waste Around The World
15Chapter 14: Solutions-Making Gift Giving a Force for Good
8Chapter 7: A Century of American Yuletide Spending