Comments on: The Economics of Seinfeld

By: Brigitte

Brigitte — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:51:33 +0000

“Kramer and Newman hatch a scheme to arbitrage bottles from NY, where the deposit is 5 cents, to Michigan, where the deposit is 10 cents.”

Unfortunately this would never work as it is illegal to return bottles/cans purchased outside of Michigan. It is posted on our bottle return machines and there are high finds when caught doing this.

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By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:16:39 +0000

LOVE IT! Seinfeld is so awesome. Curb Your Enthusiasm is possibly better, however.

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By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:53:06 +0000

Love it, too bad they can’t show the clips though.

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By: Mike- Saving Money Today

Mike- Saving Money Today — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:54:59 +0000

Good find! I love Seinfeld…looking at the lessons they have listed, I realize I don’t need to look them up. I already know them all!

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By: Mark Gavagan

Mark Gavagan — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:16:40 +0000

What a great way to convey personal finance concepts! Very creative, and fun to be reminded of all those terrific episodes.

http://seinfeldthemovie.com/

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By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:43:16 +0000

I am going to head over there now…but they better have a lesson on the muffin tops!

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By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:03:32 +0000

Ah, the economic wisdom of Seinfeld! Thanks for pointing this website out. I think this is a clever idea from these professors. A creative way to look at the subject differently. I am a little biased as I’ve always been a Seinfeld fan!

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By: Paul Brookshire

Paul Brookshire — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:49:07 +0000

Wouldn’t the mail truck scheme in this case be an example of an externality? A business using a public good (US Mail truck) at no cost to them to lower operating costs, and thereby increasing profits.

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By: rail

rail — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:24:36 +0000

If I remember the back story on Kramer correctly, he had inherited quite a bit of money back in the 80′s. Cant remember the episode but Jerry did say one time that Kramer “Always falling ass backward into a pile of money” or something to that effect.

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By: eileen

eileen — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:48:03 +0000

Goldmine: There’s the raincoat episode where Kramer and Morty try to profit on The Executive, Elaine and her sponges, and the death-in-the-family fare, just off the top of my head. Combine this with Seinfeld and Philosophy (Open Court, 1999) and you could have a whole Seinfeld-themed curriculum.

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By: Kay Lynn

Kay Lynn — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:40:19 +0000

We loved Seinfeld and there are a lot of personal finance lessons in those episodes between Kramer and George alone!

George’s cheapness always cost him more in the end. Kramer’s get something for nothing schemes never worked out either!

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By: First Gen American

First Gen American — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:53:14 +0000

This is funny. I just did a pf post this week that referenced the “opposite” seinfeld episode. I love seinfeld too.

I didn’t even realize this site existed. Thanks for leading me to discover it.

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By: karla

karla — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 07:00:10 +0000

After a quick look through the site why would you register? (forums, I guess. But they never come right out and tell you that’s what you get behind the user name)

And, what if you don’t already own the complete series on DVD? (sadly, I am among the 10 people in the world who didn’t find the show all that funny) And what if they do add all these other shows as well? Do you have to run out and buy those DVD’s as well?

I really like the concept of connecting TV to the real world, though. I think this could flesh out to something really useful.

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By: retirebyforty

retirebyforty — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:40:48 +0000

Pretty good, I love Seinfeld also. The economic caption is kind of neat, but definitely no where close to funny.

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By: Chris at yardsalequeen.com

Chris at yardsalequeen.com — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:05:54 +0000

and to quote Cosmo Kramer “Retail is for suckers”

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By: Valerie

Valerie — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:21:06 +0000

It’s not nearly as amusing as Seinfeld, but Planet Money over at NPR is a pretty great “economics for adults” podcast/radio show that is along the lines of a science show for kids. I’ve learned a lot, and been highly entertained in the process!

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By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:15:13 +0000

Real Kramer was a millionaire. He invented something in the 70s or 80s and lived off of the residuals.

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By: Cea Wall

Cea Wall — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:51:25 +0000

there is/was a Canadian show targeted squarely at teens called “Street Cents” between 1989 and 2006. Helped launch the careers of a few child/teen actors as well.

Good personal finance tips in every show.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Cents

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By: Justin King

Justin King — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:54:00 +0000

Not a bad idea at all, though it’s a shame they can’t use actual clips from the episodes.

Makes you think though, if we can have shows for kids about science surely we could have one about economics and personal finance.

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By: LifeAndMyFinances

LifeAndMyFinances — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:06:13 +0000

I love this!

I have always loved Seinfeld, and since I used to live in Michigan, where the deposit is 10 cents per can, I remember that episode all too well.

I think it’s a great idea to use television to teach economics. The kids will love it and they’ll learn at the same time.

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By: Andy Hough

Andy Hough — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:39:33 +0000

I always wondered how Kramer had money although he rarely worked. Maybe this site can explain that.

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