We evaluate data on choices made from convex time budgets (CTB) in Andreoni and Sprenger (Am Econ Rev 102(7):3333–3356, 2012a) and Augenblick et al. (Q J Econ 130(3):1067–1115, 2015), two influential studies that proposed and applied this experimental technique. We use the weak axiom of revealed preference (WARP) to test for external consistency relative to pairwise choice, and demand, wealth and impatience monotonicity to test for internal consistency. We find that choices made by subjects in the original Andreoni and Sprenger (Am Econ Rev 102(7):3333–3356, 2012a) paper violate WARP frequently; violations of all three internal measures of monotonicity are concentrated in subjects who take advantage of the novel feature of CTB by making interior choices. Wealth monotonicity violations are more prevalent and pronounced than either demand or impatience monotonicity violations. We substantiate the importance of our desiderata of choice consistency in examining effort allocation choices made in Augenblick et al. (Q J Econ 130(3):1067–1115, 2015), where we find considerably more demand monotonicity violations, as well as many classical monotonicity violations which are associated with time inconsistent behavior. We believe that the frequency and magnitude of WARP and monotonicity violations found in the two studies pose important confounds for interpreting and structurally estimating choice patterns elicited through CTB. We encourage researchers employing CTB in present and future experiments to include consistency tests in their design and pre-estimation analysis.

This paper studies the interaction of labor, goods, and asset markets in experimental macroeconomies populated by household investors. We analyze the aggregate effects of two different policies intended to stabilize asset prices: leverage constraints and a 'leaning against the wind' monetary policy that raises interest rates in response to asset price inflation. We find that introducing a leverage constraint significantly reduces asset prices when the constraint actually binds. Households often circumvent these constraints by excessively supplying labor and generating increased wealth which can be used for speculation. As a result, asset price deviations are significantly higher under a policy regime of leverage constraints. Raising interest rates according to a 'leaning against the wind' policy effectively contracts asset prices with minimal impact on production. Our experimental findings suggest that asset inflation targeting is more effective than leverage constraints at stabilizing asset prices.

This paper studies the interaction of labor, goods, and asset markets in experimental macroeconomies populated by household investors. We analyze the aggregate effects of two different policies intended to stabilize asset prices: leverage constraints and a 'leaning against the wind' monetary policy that raises interest rates in response to asset price inflation. We find that introducing a leverage constraint significantly reduces asset prices when the constraint actually binds. Households often circumvent these constraints by excessively supplying labor and generating increased wealth which can be used for speculation. As a result, asset price deviations are significantly higher under a policy regime of leverage constraints. Raising interest rates according to a 'leaning against the wind' policy effectively contracts asset prices with minimal impact on production. Our experimental findings suggest that asset inflation targeting is more effective than leverage constraints at stabilizing asset prices.

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