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 ...

Why do we no longer use $1,000 bills?

I've Always Wondered ...

What do CEOs do all day long to deserve their pay?

I've Always Wondered ...

How much money is there in the world?

From This Collection

I've Always Wondered ...

Why does oat milk cost more than dairy milk?

by Janet Nguyen

Nov 17, 2023

Some brands of non-dairy milk are half the price of regular milk.

Is it a simple case of "the yuppie premium," or something more complex?

Scott Olson/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

What happens to Social Security benefits in a debt default or a government shutdown?

by Janet Nguyen

Nov 10, 2023

A shutdown is looming, though beneficiaries don’t have to worry. But they would if default was on the table.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Can human market investors beat the algorithms?

by Janet Nguyen

Nov 3, 2023

Algorithms are good at disguising their behavior.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Who pays to maintain old graves at a cemetery?

by Janet Nguyen

Oct 27, 2023

If you want to learn the history of your community, cemeteries are a good place to start.

Green-Wood Cemetery in New York, which was founded in 1838, is a National Historic Landmark.

Maike Schulz

I've Always Wondered ...

If money doesn't grow on trees, then why do banks have "branches”?

by Janet Nguyen

Oct 20, 2023

The concept actually has a long and contentious history.

ATMs at a Bank of America branch in San Francisco. There weren't always large networks of convenient locations.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why are we hearing so much about AI all of a sudden?

by Janet Nguyen

Oct 13, 2023

Experts say that big companies often observe or invest in innovations years before they become widely known.

Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

What are the origins of rebates?

by Janet Nguyen

Oct 6, 2023

The term goes back centuries, and became a major source of controversy in the late 19th century.

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I've Always Wondered ...

Should the U.S. be worried about deflation?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 29, 2023

As price gains cool down, we consider the risk that the trend will go too far. Plus, is consumer sentiment a trustworthy indicator of economic activity?

Price gains have been on the decline after a bout of decades-high inflation that started during the pandemic. It's a welcome change for consumers, but deflation is another threat to the economy.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

If the Great Salt Lake dries up, what would that mean for the U.S. economy?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 22, 2023

The demise of the landmark site would affect a range of industries as well as Utah residents’ health. It would strike an emotional blow as well.

A view of the Great Salt Lake in 2021. If water levels continue to decline at the current rate, the lake could be dry in five years, researchers found.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

How do multinational companies figure out how to report their earnings?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 15, 2023

There are different currencies and reporting standards to take into consideration.

For companies that do business around the world, converting currencies is part of the job.

iStock/Getty Images

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