Joel Waldfogel

Economist Joel Waldfogel illustrates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste--to the shocking tune of $85 billion each winter. He provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays. Gift giving is different than shopping for our own needs: we make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients...