Memorable goods drive household spending fluctuations, impacting welfare costs significantly.
The article introduces a new type of goods called memorable goods, which continue to provide satisfaction even after they are consumed. These goods are bought irregularly and in large amounts. The researchers found that memorable goods make up a small portion of spending but have a big impact on how people manage their money. By including memorable goods in their model, they discovered that fluctuations in spending caused by changes in income are not as costly as previously thought. In fact, considering memorable goods reduces the negative effects of income shocks on household finances.