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?

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I've Always Wondered ...

How much money does “God” have?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 10, 2023

The Catholic Church has at least $73 billion based on media reports and financial statements, but it likely has billions more.

Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why does the U.S. still use calories on nutrition labels instead of kilojoules?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 3, 2023

The calorie, a ubiquitous measurement unit, dates back more than a century.

The U.S. has a long relationship with the calorie, dating back more than a century, which is why we aren't in a rush to change it anytime soon.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Is it actually illegal to sell an item labeled, “Not for retail sale”?

by Janet Nguyen

Jan 27, 2023

Aiming to keep consumers safe, the Food and Drug Administration has rules for the information placed on packaging.

If the wrapper your granola bar came in says you can't sell it, there are FDA rules behind that warning.

4kodiak/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why do we allow investors to deduct stock market losses from their taxes?

by Janet Nguyen

Jan 20, 2023

It’s based on the principle of fairness — within limits.

A trader at the New York Stock Exchange reacts to the closing bell on Dec. 30, the final day of trading in 2022. Investors racked up substantial losses during the year.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why do companies flush with cash still carry debt?

by Janet Nguyen

Jan 13, 2023

Google, for instance, has more than $116 billion in the bank, but isn’t rushing to pay off its borrowings.

Unlike many of us, Google isn't prioritizing paying off its debt — but there are some good reasons for that.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Who are "the markets"?

by Janet Nguyen

Jan 6, 2023

Financial experts love to toss-around this catch-all term. What does it actually mean?

Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

How did the pandemic affect the Corona Beer brand?

by Janet Nguyen

Dec 30, 2022

Sales of the beer brand went up during the pandemic, despite a small initial dip in favorability.

Corona sales didn't fizzle during the start of the pandemic, despite sharing its name with the coronavirus.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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I've Always Wondered ...

How much profit do fireworks stands make?

by Janet Nguyen

Dec 16, 2022

One fireworks business owner said a 20% profit margin is considered "great."

As the new year approaches, some fireworks businesses are starting to pitch their tents.

franckreporter/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

When did movie credits get so long?

by Janet Nguyen

Dec 9, 2022

Some early Hollywood films didn’t even list the actors.

A view of the credits for 2021's "Dune," which lasted nearly 8 minutes.

I've Always Wondered ...

Why are Flintstones vitamins and cereal still popular decades after the show ended?

by Janet Nguyen

Dec 2, 2022

It’s easy to grasp the visual iconography of “The Flintstones,” even if you’ve never seen the show, allowing the characters to live on in the public imagination.

Fun in a box: The Pebbles cereal line has endured for more than 50 years.

Courtesy Post Holdings Inc.

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