The Economics of Gratitude

How you can get your own Decode Econ mug

Nov 27, 2025

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite moments of the year because it forces us to pause and reflect on the people who have made our lives better, even in small, quiet ways. It also brings me back to the one rule I live by:

If someone does something that matters to you, tell them. Never hold back your appreciation.

Anyone who works with me knows this rule well. If you take a moment to help a colleague, move a project forward, or make life easier for someone else, you’re going to hear me say:

“I appreciate you.”

I say it often, so often that one of my coworkers jokes about it. But their teasing says more about our cultural discomfort with receiving gratitude than the frequency with which I give it. Most people aren’t used to hearing appreciation spoken aloud. They’re certainly not used to hearing it consistently.

But withholding gratitude has never made sense to me. In leadership and in life, generosity of acknowledgment is one of the most powerful tools we have. It strengthens teams. It creates trust. It changes relationships. And, as I’ve been reminded this year, it might even change something deeper.

At the end of this post, I’ll share how you can get your own official Decode Econ Mug — my small way of saying thank you for being part of this community.

Decode Econ contributor Brandon Sheridan reads our columns while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Economics

I’ve always believed that gratitude has economic value; it falls under what economists call social capital. It builds networks, strengthens cooperation, and improves decision-making. While you spend time with your friends and family, recognize that you are engaging in an economic activity. You’re trading your time, attention, and emotional energy for memories, support, and bonds that compound over the years. It’s one of the highest-return investments we ever make, and we often don’t recognize it as such.

ICYMI- Gratitude to the left- How to leverage gratitude in the classroom by Dr. Jeni Al Bahrani

The Bottom Line

And because I live by my own rule, let me say this clearly:

I appreciate you.

I appreciate your time and attention — two of the scarcest resources in today’s world.
I appreciate the questions you ask and the conversations we build together.
I appreciate the trust you place in Decode Econ to help make the economy feel more understandable, not more overwhelming.

Decode Econ is a community driven by curiosity, generosity, and shared learning. And that only happens because of you.

A Thanksgiving Invitation

If you enjoy Decode Econ, there’s no better moment to share it than when you’re around the people you’re grateful for.

So while you’re sitting at Thanksgiving dinner, between the turkey debates, discussions of what affordability means, and the pie rankings, consider telling your family and friends about Decode Econ. It can get you your own Decode Econ mug. Get your own referral link here: https://www.decodeecon.com/leaderboard

As a small thank-you, I’ve added a new referral reward:

Refer 25 friends — get the official Decode Econ Mug.

You’ll find the details in your referral dashboard. It’s a simple way to expand this community and bring others into the conversation.

Get My Referral Link