In the children's book series and TV show, a series of unfortunate events, the stories

heroes, the Baudelaire orphans, are confronted with a never-ending litany of dastardly deeds

perpetrated by the evil count Olaf.

In every chapter and every episode, the siblings face yet another attempt by the count to

have scorned with their inheritance.

The adults who are supposed to be protecting the orphans, particularly the hapless Mr.

Poe, are regularly fooled by Olaf, and when Olaf's plots are eventually foiled, mostly

by the children themselves, the adults figure that the problem is permanently solved, and

the children will live happily and safely ever after.

But of course, the scheming Olaf returns on some ridiculous new guys to taunt the children

once again.

In this episode of Traceology, we'll look at how certain expenses, events, and foods

are very much like count Olaf, surprising, seemingly rare, and cumulatively consequential,

and how we tend to miscategorize them at our peril.

I'm Dr. Katie Mildman, and this is Traceology, an original podcast from Charles Schwab.

It's a show about the psychology and economics behind our decisions.

We bring you true stories involving high stakes moments, and then we explore the latest research

and behavioral science to help you make better judgments and avoid costly mistakes.

They grew up in the Philly area, and there was a really great little Amish market in my

hometown in South Jersey that just had the best pretzels, and I think they're still available

for like 75 cents, which blows my mind.

This is Greg Golden.

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