Ask the Economist

Economics is the science of decision-making.

Every decision is an economics decision.

In this column every week, readers ask their most private questions and get advice from an economics perspective.
Need Advice?  Write to Ask the Economist at estenardhudsonian@gmail.com  You might see your question answered in the Hudsonian!

Q. Dear Economist, Should I go Vegan? – Omri Omnivour

A. Dear Omri, Variety and healthy options are more plentiful and easier to access than ever before.  When available choose whole grains. Meat should be thought of as a condiment rather than the main course.  Vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and seasonal fruit are delicious and packed with protein and other nutrients.  Continue your research and don’t let conventional wisdom or misinformation cloud your decision. You might also save grocery money too – ground beef is $4 per pound but black beans are less than $1 per pound.

Q. Dear Economist, Should I quit my job?  My boss doesn’t like me.  Can I even get a job someplace else? – Penelope

A. Dear Penelope, The current labor market is very favorable for workers.  We are in a booming economy and the next recession may be overdue but nobody is acting like it yet.  Your prospects for landing a job elsewhere are better than ever.
The strength of any market depends on the transfer of goods and services to where they are valued the highest.  This means that workers should always be ready to leave if there are better wages and benefits somewhere else. You can get further with a kind word and an updated resume than just a kind word.  
Keep in mind that the culture at work and the meaningfulness of what you do are important benefits (or possibly costs!) of any job.  It sounds like you wouldn’t even be thinking about leaving if relationships at work were better. Don’t forget that perspective when you are the manager someday.