Help power Marketplace this winter when you support the show today. Donate Now!

From This Collection

Game-show winner pulls back the curtain on prizes

Jan 20, 2015
"Wheel of Fortune" contestant reveals how shows come up with prizes – and why he gave a big one back.
"Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak interviews Josh Woo before the start of his game. 
Photo courtesy of Carol Kaelson/Sony Pictures Television

Why are there so few $2 bills?

Jan 9, 2015
The saga of America's most misunderstood currency note.
A sheet of $2 bills.
Wikimedia/Creative Commons

Why aren't more urinals installed in homes?

Dec 22, 2014
Absence of urinals in houses may be related to a simple fact: At home, it's not called the men's room.
A gallery-goer admires a fully functional urinal by artist Andrew Ohanesian titled "Urinal."
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

How do store brands stack up against name brands?

Dec 10, 2014
Store brands can be just as good as name brands. But there are some trade-offs.

Who gets the money made by dead celebrities?

Nov 24, 2014
Even celebrities in financial trouble can make tens of millions after death.

Why are sticks of butter long and skinny in the East, but short and fat in the West?

Oct 31, 2014
As we've learned, there is an expert out there for absolutely everything.

For public good, not for profit.

How do actors make money off residuals?

Oct 24, 2014
Lisa Kudrow still makes money off "Smelly Cat," and more about how actors get paid.

How do cemeteries make money?

Oct 13, 2014
The better question may be: What do they do when they run out of space?
Even the front lawn of Washington Cemetery is crammed full of plots. 
Tracey Samuelson/Marketplace

Why does popcorn at the movies cost so much?

Aug 4, 2014
Hint: Movie theaters don’t make much money from movies. Movie studios do.
Is that yellowish hue butter, or pure gold? 
Wikimedia Commons