Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3
There are numerous ways to gauge how the economy is faring. Economists look at gross domestic product, unemployment figures, and the leading economic indicators. But can a quick peek in our underwear drawers tell us almost as much? Or more specifically, can underwear sales tell us about the strength of the economy? Some economists say, you betcha!

And question: How many flavors of Kits Kats is one too many? 10? 20? Try 200 in Japan. Also on the podcast: Mexican Coke, German taxes, and the tricky economic relationship between the U.S. and China.