Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays - Hardcover

Waldfogel, Joel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691142645 ISBN 13: 9780691142647

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2009

Synopsis

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 illustrates 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 indicates that 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.

By reprioritizing our gift-giving habits, Scroogenomics proves that we can still maintain the economy without gouging our wallets, and reclaim the true spirit of the holiday season.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"Joel Waldfogel is one of the smartest and funniest economists on the planet. I think of him every time I start to unwrap a present. Buy Scroogenomics for your friends and family. It makes the perfect Christmas gift."--Ian Ayres, author of Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-by-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart

"Scroogenomics is a very well-written and entertaining read."--Diane Coyle, author of The Soulful Science: What Economists Really Do and Why It Matters

About the Author

Joel Waldfogel is the Ehrenkranz Professor and Chair of Business and Public Policy at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of The Tyranny of the Market and has been a columnist for Slate.

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0691142645
• ISBN 13: 9780691142647
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192