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I've Always Wondered ...

If you’re like us, you’ve got a lot of questions about the small, simple, ubiquitous things in the world of business. Let's find the answers.
What have you always wondered about the economy?

Green peppers are cheaper than their more colorful comrades. Here's why.
I've Always Wondered ...
Green peppers are cheaper than their more colorful comrades. Here's why.
Why do we no longer use $1,000 bills?
I've Always Wondered ...
Why do we no longer use $1,000 bills?
What do CEOs do all day long to deserve their pay?
I've Always Wondered ...
What do CEOs do all day long to deserve their pay?
How much money is there in the world?
I've Always Wondered ...
How much money is there in the world?

From This Collection

I've Always Wondered ...

Why the interest on your savings isn’t growing along with Fed rate hikes

by Janet Nguyen
May 20, 2022
The average savings rate is still just 0.07%. Part of the reason: Banks have too much money. Let us explain.
The bank is an “appropriate place” to keep your money for short-term goals, one expert tells us. But other investment strategies might be better suited for long-term goals.
John Moore/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How do grocery stores make money when their profit margins are so low?

by Janet Nguyen
May 13, 2022
Margins can be as little as 1%. But there are three ways to look at rate of return, and other factors to consider.
People shop for groceries at a supermarket in Glendale, California. While grocery stores generally have thin profit margins, they tend to make up for it in volume.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do companies have to make more money each year? 

by Janet Nguyen
May 6, 2022
Most of them face the pressure of investors.
Skyscrapers loom over downtown Manhattan on March 31, 2022 in New York City. For publicly traded companies, stable profits may not be good enough.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why does the Federal Reserve raise rates in quarter percentages?

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 29, 2022
The Fed recently hiked rates by 25 basis points, and plans to raise rates several more times this year alone.
A view of the Federal Reserve Board building in Washington, D.C.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do oil companies call themselves “energy” companies? 

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 22, 2022
Over the past several decades, several corporations have tried to distance themselves from being known as oil and gas companies.
A view of a Chevron gas sign in Houston, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

What’s the difference between 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans? 

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 15, 2022
Workers in the public education and nonprofit sectors are familiar with 403(b)s, which lack the regulation that comes with 401(k)s.
Workplace retirement plans are meant to help you afford to have some fun after you're done earning a paycheck. More than half of working adults participate.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do we report the Dow first? 

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 8, 2022
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is the country’s second-oldest market index.
A view of the Dow's closing numbers back in March 2020, when fears over the spread of COVID-19 intensified.
BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How did Top 40 radio become a hit?

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 1, 2022
The label refers to both a broadcast format and a category of music.
LFO62/Getty Images Plus
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why aren’t gas prices dropping if oil is getting cheaper?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 18, 2022
Crude oil prices factor heavily into gas prices.
Gas prices reached record highs around the country as the Russian invasion of Ukraine causes global oil markets to surge.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why is the Federal Reserve raising interest rates if supply chain issues are fueling inflation?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 16, 2022
Consumer prices climbed 7.9% year over year in February, the highest rate in four decades.
Supply chain bottlenecks, including problems in shipping and trucking, have spurred prices higher.
George Frey/Getty Images
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