You had lots of travel related money questions! So, Bridget and Ryan are on a money mission. While racing through the airport, they get to the bottom of why stuff costs more at airports than at regular stores, how currency exchange works and where our money actually comes from. How does it travel from the U.S. Mint to our wallets? Cue the spy music!
After you listen to the episode, here are some questions and conversation starters you can use with your kid listener to see how much they learned:
Have you ever been somewhere and noticed that regular things like food are more expensive than you expected? How did your family respond?
Pick a country and look up its currency. How much would you get for $1? What about $20? Then see what you could buy there with that.
Do you think the whole world should use just one type of money? Why or why not? We’d love to hear what you think. Send us your answers using this online form.
*Bonus* Not-So-Random Question: How would you describe money to someone who’s never heard of it?
For listeners who want to keep learning, we’ve got some ideas:
Listen to this “Million Bazillion” episode to learn why countries have different currencies.
Learn how money is made in more detail with our episode all about the U.S mint.
For more on how currency exchange works, check out this fun video.
Loved all the questions and zippy answers in today’s episode? Then you’ll definitely want to hear our listener call-in episode.
Learn more about U.S. currency with these helpful resources at the online Currency Academy.
Thanks for listening to this episode! We’re working on future seasons and would love to hear your kid’s money questions!
Record your Million Bazillionaire and send the audio using this online form and we just might include your kid in an upcoming episode!
This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.
Note: Marketplace podcasts are meant to be heard, with emphasis, tone and audio elements a transcript can’t capture. Scripts may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting it.
Cold Open:
[SFX ROLLING SUITCASES]
[SFX AIRPORT HUBBUB]
[SFX AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT CHIME]
AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT: Welcome to Los Angeles International Airport. Good luck with your trip today. At this airport, you’re gonna need it.
BRIDGET: See? Exactly five hours before the flight. Perfect timing.
RYAN: [Yawn] It’s so early … the coffee cart isn’t even open yet … why do we need to be here 5 hours early?
BRIDGET: Ryan! We don’t want to miss our flight to the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con … the year’s biggest financial literacy conference! Early bird to the conference gets a swag bag … maybe we’ll get one of those tiny golden mic pins
RYAN: [YAWN] I should’ve brought a pillow and a sleeping bag ..
BRIDGET: And the best part is we’re answering money questions along the way … C’mon … let’s make sure we got everything before we go through security. Did you get that checklist I sent ya?
RYAN: Yeah
BRIDGET: Okay …first things first. Let’s make sure you packed the essentials?
RYAN: Define “essentials”
BRIDGET: Microphone?
RYAN: Check.
BRIDGET: Audio recorder?
RYAN: Check.
BRIDGET: Headphones?
RYAN. Borrowing yours.
BRIDGET: RYAN!
RYAN: Kidding. There in here somewhere … (under his breath) probably …
BRIDGET: Now let’s zip through security and grab breakfast before our gate even opens. C’mon T-S-A pre-check is this way
RYAN: Wait. You paid money to stand in a shorter security line?
BRIDGET: Of course. It’s short and efficient. Like me.
SFX - CONVEYOR BELT/XRAY SCANNER, METAL DETECTOR
RYAN: You want to come with me through the regular line? C’mon … it’ll be an adventure
BRIDGET: Not even a little bit
RYAN: Alright, race you to the gate … after I survive repacking my electronics and toiletries
BRIDGET: [FROM AFAR] Text me if you run into any trouble … I’ll see you on the other side okay, byeeee
-Theme Music -
BRIDGET: Hey everyone, Welcome to Million Bazillion. I’m Bridget.
RYAN: [OUT OF BREATH] And I’m Ryan and we help dollars make more sense. This is our travel episode and we’re recording today’s show on our way to San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con answering some of your travel related money questions. I just raced Bridget through airport security … and lost my belt in the scanner tray but who cares, I made it through
BRIDGET: We now have 4 and a half hours left before our flight. I already checked gate changes twice and we’re good!
RYAN: Nice. After the ordeal through security … I need water. And possibly a giant breakfast burrito …
BRIDGET: Before any of that … we must see that our gate actually exists …
RYAN: You see, kids … There are two types of travelers … those who can comfortably relax at a food court two terminals away and the kind who physically need to see the gate with their eyes to believe it’s real
BRIDGET: I am very proudly the second type. Look there it is Gate 44! Yesss.
RYAN: Why do we need to be at the gate so early? It’s not like the airline’s gonna choose a random plane to suddenly take off super early for no reason. Anyway, let’s take a listener question:
LUNA: Hello, my name is Luna. I’m 7 years old and I live in Brooklyn. My question is. Why do things at airports cost more than things that are not at airports. Thank you, goodbye!
BRIDGET: That is such a good question. I mean, seems like they can basically charge more because we’re trapped here, right?
[SILENCE]
BRIDGET: RYAN? RYAN? Now where did he go?
[SFX CASH REGISTER BEEPS]
CASHIER: That’ll be $8.16
RYAN: For a regular bottle of water? It’s not even VOSS or San Pellegrino or a Gwyneth Paltrow Goop Water!
CASHIER: Uh, yeah. I don’t control that.
BRIDGET: There you are!
RYAN: Bridget, this is outrageous. A bottle of water would normally cost $2 at Mickey’s Bodega.
CASHIER: Will it be cash or card?
RYAN: Let’s put it on the Million Bazillion’s credit card ….
[SFX CASH REGISTER CLOSING]
BRIDGET: Like I was saying before you dashed off … Luna is right … Buying stuff at the airport is pricey. The cost of stuff here can be anywhere from 10 to 15% more than stuff sold outside the airport
RYAN: But why? (GULP GULP) It doesn’t taste any different. Maybe this Judson News and Gifts is just overpriced. Let’s go to that other Judson News and Gifts shop right over there and see what it costs.
BRIDGET: [skeptical] It’s worth a shot, i guess
RYAN: Let’s do it … right after this:
-ARK-
KIMBERLY: And now … it’s time for Asking Random Kids Not-So-Random Questions … Today’s question is: How would you describe money to someone who’s never heard of it?
–
It’s green and you can buy stuff with it. You can put it in bank. You can save it, spend it.
It's a president and has, like, designs on it and a number.
Credit cards are like rectangular discs that you put in slots.
Something that you use to buy things.
Something you trade for goods.
Capitalism.
Coins are like these metal circles.
It's gold and silver.
Something that can get you stuff, but can also cause a lot of problems.
–
KIMBERLY: That was …
Sage in New Hampshire
Ruby in Vermont
Arjun in Ohio.
Ashwin in Washington DC
Ada in Georgia
Lily in Florida
Benjamin in Texas
Elena in Illinois
This has been Asking Random Kids Not-So-Random Questions.
RYAN: And we’re back! Bridget and I are at the airport trying to find the answer to Luna’s question about why stuff here costs so much more than stuff you’d buy outside the airport.
BRIDGET: Seems pretty straightforward … look around …you have lots of travelers just sitting there, waiting for their flights … in business terms this is called a captive audience …
RYAN: What?! You mean people are being held against their will?
BRIDGET: No, not captive like tied up and held in a dungeon…this isn’t Newark Liberty International airport after all … These travelers are waiting for their flights … they’re not gonna leave unless they’re sitting on the plane they have a ticket for. So they are kinda trapped here. It’s like being at an amusement park
[CARROUSEL Music]
BRIDGET CONT: Think about it. You’re at Disneyland … when all of the sudden … hunger strikes! You’re craving pizza. The thing is … you don’t have lots of options. All the food stands pretty much charge the same for a slice of pizza … because the park knows you’re probably not going to leave in the middle of the day to find pizza elsewhere … you paid the fast pass and can’t miss your 2-hour window to get on your favorite ride – Rise of the Resistance – But you’re on the verge of getting hangry … so you kinda have no choice. You gotta pay to play!
[CARROUSEL Music]
RYAN: That’s exactly my experience… except my favorite ride is the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
BRIDGET: Bold choice!
RYAN: So let me get this straight … because stores and restaurants know you don’t have many options, they can charge more money?
BRIDGET: yeah and people will still buy stuff because they need food or water or forgot something important.
RYAN: But surely ALL the businesses at the airport don’t charge an arm and a leg! What about competition?! Let's see if this place has a better price for water.
STORE ATTENDANT: Good morning. Let me know if you need help finding anything
RYAN: Actually I’m looking for the cheapest bottle of water in this airport …
STORE ATTENDANT: With taxes … that’ll be $8.16
RYAN: whaaaa?! That’s the same price at the other store!
BRIDGET: See, I knew it. That’s kind of a lot, right??
STORE ATTENDANT: If I had a dollar for every time someone complained about prices at the airport I’d be a millionaire by now …
BRIDGET: People are stuck here with nowhere else to go so stores just jack up the prices
STORE ATTENDANT: Well hold on now. That’s part of it … sure. But there’s more to it. In fact, I’m going to let you in on a secret
RYAN: A secret? Hold on. I don’t know if I can keep a secret
BRIDGET: Ryan.
RYAN: What? I’m just being honest.
STORE ATTENDANT: Part of why prices are sky-high at the airport is because the cost to run a shop at the airport is sky-high! It’s not just paying rent and workers you know. Airport businesses have a bunch of extra costs that regular stores don’t deal with
BRIDGET: OH, yeah. What are some of those extra costs?
STORE ATTENDANT: See this special badge?
BRIDGET: Yeah
RYAN: Yeah
STORE ATTENDANT: This allows me to go through security quickly. I had to be fingerprinted and everything. The whole process costs between $40 to $90, depending on the airport. And then there’s a yearly renewal fee. My boss has to pay for it!
BRIDGET: Okay, so one badge per worker … I can see that may start to add up.
STORE ATTENDANT: Oh, and here … this is my special employee parking pass. Wanna guess how much it costs?
RYAN: Well if it's anything close to what we paid for parking … we should all just start walking everywhere
STORE ATTENDANT: It’s 50 dollars a month! And my employer, the company who runs this store, picks up the bill. Okay, now look around this store. Every single item in here goes through security screening, just like you did. Even the snacks!
BRIDGET: Think of the line! Hope they’ve got TSA pre check!
STORE ATTENDANT: And you know, there’s like barely any storage space …so we gotta get fresh shipments all the time, So now we’ve got delivery trucks showing up, everything getting screened, staff dealing with logistics – it all costs money and the store has to get that money back somehow so it charges a little extra
RYAN : Sure, but that’s a big price difference! Are you sure the airport stores don’t just know people expect to pay more, so they just CHARGE more? What’s there to stop ‘em?
STORE ATTENDANT: [SHRUGS - AMUSED] Most U.S. airports have rules called “street pricing plus”. They’re supposed to keep prices close to what you’d pay at a regular store plus 10 to 15% on top of that to cover the extra costs of doing business here. But between you and me not everyone plays by the rules … if you know what i mean
BRIDGET: Any advice for travelers who want to save a little money when they go to the airport?
STORE ATTENDANT: I see you’re carrying a reusable water bottle. Smart move! Most airports have refill stations because you can’t bring more than three ounces of a liquid through security. Some people even pack a few extra granola bars, trail mix, and snacks in their bags in case they get hungry.
RYAN: What is this, flying or camping?
STORE ATTENDANT: Okay, so are you ready for me to ring you up?
RYAN/BRIDGET: Yeah, No. We’re not really looking to buy anything. Just doing some research for our podcast …
STORE ATTENDANT: [FROM A DISTANCE AS B+R ARE WALKING AWAY] Have a good flight!
RYAN: [WALKING AWAY] I think we still have time to squeeze in another question before we board
BRIDGET: Ummm … feels like we’re cutting it close. We only have 2 hours till boarding and I don’t want to miss when they call our group.
RYAN: (BEAT) I’m pretty sure we got time.
BRIDGET: Fine! But just one… then we need to line up to board our flight. Don’t want to miss when they call Group Q.
RYAN: Group Q? How far back on the plane are we?
BRIDGET: Our tickets were cheap, ok!? Let’s listen to that question.
QUINN: Hi. My name is Quinn from Washington DC. My question is: what is an exchange rate and how does it work? Thanks, bye
BRIDGET: This is such a great question while we’re here, in the airport! Before I answer, did we all know different countries have their own money?
RYAN: If they listened to season four, episode 3 they do!
BRIDGET: And you usually can’t spend the money from one country in another country, you have to trade your money for that country’s currency. The currency exchange rate is going to tell you what that trade is gonna look like, like how much are your starting dollars worth compared to the dollars you want to end up with. And actually, people do this at airports all the time. Look, there’s a currency exchange stand right over there!
RYAN: Oooh it’s not terribly fancy. That must be the teller? And there’s a digital board with mini flags representing each country’s currency, or money… there’s a customer in line.
BRIDGET: See how each country has a number next to it? That's the currency exchange rate. That basically tells you how much of a country’s money you can buy using one US dollar. Ooh, there’s a customer in line. If they’re about to exchange their money, they probably know how this works!
RYAN: Excuse me, you there standing next in line at the currency exchange booth! Can we ask you a few questions for our podcast about money?
CUSTOMER: Uh, sure. I have a few minutes before my flight boards.
RYAN: Can you explain how this currency exchange thing works?
SFX: ADD PLANE TAKING OFF IN THE DISTANCE
CUSTOMER: Oh it’s not too hard once you understand it all. It’s like this
[SFX ARCADE]
CUSTOMER: You know how at an arcade, If you want to play one of the games, you can’t use regular money like dollars or coins? If you try to use a quarter, it’ll like jam the machine or something?
RYAN: Yes, it’s one of my top 3 complaints about arcades.
CUSTOMER: Well currency exchange is using your dollars and coins to buy tokens. Those are basically the arcade’s currency. And if you try to pay for things with arcade tokens at a regular store, they won't take them. Even the coinstar machine will spit them out.
RYAN: Yes, it’s one of my top 3 complaints about arcade tokens.
CUSTOMER: Each arcade or country has their own exchange rate – how many coins you get for the dollars you start with.Once you have your coins, they might last a while or maybe not, it depends on the arcade. One game at an arcade might take 4 tokens, another arcade might charge 2 tokens a game.
TELLER: [OFF MIC] Next in line, may I help you?
CUSTOMER: Hi! I’m going to Japan and would like to exchange American dollars for Japanese Yen
TELLER: Based on today’s currency exchange rate 10 US dollars would get you about 1,481 Yen
RYAN: [OFF MIC] Whoa! Fourteen hundred Yen for just $10! You’re going to be rich in Japan!
CUSTOMER: I wish! But a can of soda pop costs 120 yen! So you go through it fast.
TELLER: Here’s your Yen!
[SFX CASHIER CLOSES]
[SFX RECEIPT]
CUSTOMER: Thank you!
TELLER: Safe travels to Japan! Try the sushi while you’re there!
CUSTOMER: Never heard of it! Thanks for the tip!
RYAN: Wait, what just happened there? Why didn’t ten US dollars get you ten Japanese Yen?
CUSTOMER: Instead you go to a machine and trade your money for arcade tokens. Let’s say each dollar gets you 4 arcade tokens. So if you give the machine $5, you get 20 tokens. Now at a different arcade … $1 might only get you 2 tokens because their games cost more. Or in another arcade maybe $1 gets you 10 tokens if they’re running a special deal. Currency exchange works kind of the same way.
[END ARCADE SFX]
BRIDGET: And each arcade will have its own set of tokens. And you usually can’t use one arcade’s tokens at another … just like you can’t use the same money in different countries because each country has its own kind
RYAN: Wait a second … some of these exchange rates on this board are changing before my very eyes … is this thing broken?
CUSTOMER : Oh it’s not broken. Exchange rates can change or fluctuate … on a day to day … or even second by second basis
RYAN: Wait … What?! Why?
CUSTOMER :Basically supply and demand, like how much people want that particular currency. If lots of people around the world want to use a country's money … its value goes up and it can become more expensive to get. If fewer people want it … the value goes down. If a country’s economy is strong … people trust its money more and that it’ll still have value in the future … On the flip side, if a country has problems like war or natural disasters its money might lose value
RYAN: Does it cost money to exchange money?
TELLER: Ahem, since I work this currency exchange booth, I can say, yes, sometimes there are fees and extra costs depending on the amount you’re exchanging!
[SFX AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT CHIME]
AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENT: Attention, passengers. We decided it would be funny to bump up our takeoff time super early on a random flight for no reason. This is the final boarding call for Flight 4055 to San Francisco. Please proceed to Gate 44B. Immediately! If you’re not already sitting here at the gate looking at it, you’re probably not gonna make it.
BRIDGET: Oh my gosh, Ryan. That’s us! This is my worst nightmare!
RYAN: Wow, you were right! We should’ve been waiting right by the gate the whole time!
BRIDGET: If we don’t hurry we’re going to miss our flight!
RYAN/BRIDGET: Thanks for all the info … ciao … gotta go … byeeeee
[SFX ROLLING SUITCASES]
[SFX RUNNING THROUGH AIRPORT]
—MIDROLL—
[MB HORN STING]
[SFX BEEP TICKET SCANNER]
[SFX PASSENGERS FILING INTO SEATS]
[SFX AIRPLANE CHIME]
[SFX AIRPLANE HUM]
FLIGHT ATTENDANT [ANNOUCEMENT]: Good morning. Welcome aboard to MILLION AIRWAYS FLIGHT 4055 SERVICE TO SAN FRANCISCO’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
BRIDGET: Phew, we barely made it … (FLOPPING DOWN ON SEAT)
[SFX SEATBELTS CLICKING]
RYAN: Are you kidding me? We had a whole 42 seconds left to chill …
BRIDGET: Chill? I thought we were going to miss boarding
RYAN: Relax … everything is gonna be fine … who cares if we were the last ones to board at least we didn’t have to sit in a cramped seat for 30 plus minutes while everyone else boards
BRIDGET: But Ryan now all the overhead bin space is gone … they made us check our bags at the gate and who knows if our bags will make it to SFO
RYAN: You just need to take a deep breath. Try box breathing. Do it with me … inhale for four seconds.
BRIDGET: (INHALES)
RYAN: Hold for four seconds. Then exhale for four seconds.
BRIDGET: (EXHALES)
RYAN. (TOO FAST) Then wait four seconds and, then inhale for four-
BRIDGET: I already know how to box breathe! You’re doing it too fast! It’s not working! … Ooh, let me grab my fidget spinner and calming oils … maybe that’ll help
NICK STERLING: You two were cutting it close. I was starting to think I’d have the whole row to myself
BRIDGET: oh hi … no this was all his fault … I'm actually very good at time management … thank you very much … i would show you my itinerary for the day but it’s on my i-pad and it needs to be off since we’re taking off soon
FLIGHT ATTENDANT [ANNOUCEMENT]: Ladies and gentlemen please ensure your seat belt is fastened securely at this time … [FADE UNDER NICK STERLING] for your safety please remain seated with your seat belt fastened during take off and whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated. Thank you!
NICK STERLING: The name’s Sterling.
(MUSIC: JAZZY STING)
NICK STERLING: Nick Sterling. And you are?
RYAN: I’m Ryan
BRIDGET: Bridget … nice to meet you …
RYAN: We’re hosts of the Webby Award Winning Podcast .. you might’ve heard about it …it’s kinda a big deal … Million …
NICK STERLING: Million Bazillion. …Well this is interesting. The Bridget and Ryan sitting next to me on a plane. You know there’s a rumor … you’re the podcasters who robbed Fort Knox aren’t you?
RYAN: No, common mistake. We actually prevented it from getting robbed.
BRIDGET: Yeah, there were these two thieves impersonating us … it was a whole thing. How’d you hear about that by the way?
NICK STERLING: I work at the U.S. Mint. Gossip at Treasury travels fast
BRIDGET: Wait, you work at the US Mint? Like the real mint?
NICK STERLING: Yes ma’am. Heading up to San Francisco for …
BRIDGET/NICK STERLING: for San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con!! The biggest financial literacy conference of the year (chuckles)
NICK STERLING: I’ve got my whole schedule printed … laminated … color-coded by session type.
BRIDGET: Woah, you don’t mess around
NICK STERLING: Wanna see the schedule. Green means panels on the basics of personal finance … yellow investing strategies … blue for financial literacy in the classroom … and red is crypto and the future of money. Oh! And a yellow tab is for a walking tour of the San Francisco Fed. I even packed an extra lanyard … just in case
BRIDGET: You’re like an itinerary-making machine!
RYAN: Sorry to interrupt you nerding out about itineraries … Bridget we should really get back to answering listener questions don’t you think?
BRIDGET: Umm, okay.
RYAN: Here’s the question:
Hi Million Bazilion, My name is Kit. I’m 8 years old from Durham NC. I know that money is made in the US Mint and that it goes around in a cycle. But how does it go from the US mint into the cycle?
BRIDGET: Ooh, so Kit basically wants to know how money travels through the economy and gets from the Mint, where it’s made, to peoples wallets …
RYAN: Doesn’t it just show up in ATMs? Like magic?
NICK STERLING: As someone who works at the Mint … trust me no magic is involved. It’s a mission. A top-secret operation, actually.
RYAN: This better involve spy music
NICK STERLING: It does …
[SPY MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC WOOSH]
NICK STERLING CONT : (HUSHED) okay I’m about to share information on deep background
NICK STERLING: It all starts with the boss of all banks … the Federal Reserve …
FED AGENT: (On the phone) Federal Reserve here. We’ve run the numbers. The economy needs more cash now. Place the order!
NICK STERLING: When the Fed decides more money is needed … it orders new coins and bills. But they don’t make the money themselves – they send that mission to the real pros
[SFX COINS]
NICK STERLING: Coins are made at the US Mint, where I work … we've got two main facilities one in Denver the other in Philadelphia. From there, coins are delivered to Federal Reserve coin depots across the country in 18 wheeler trucks. Generally, Denver coins head west of the Mississippi. Philly coins go east.
COIN: I’m a brand new quarter from Denver reporting for duty!
NICK STERLING: Paper bills on the other hand are made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities in Washington D.C and Fort Worth Texas. Two different teams. One mission.
[SFX MONEY PRINTER]
DOLLAR BILL: Name’s Bill. Dollar Bill. Fresh off the press. Got my serial number and everything
NICK STERLING: Then …the money is counted … packaged and shipped to Fed offices across the country
FED AGENT: Alright gather round you rookie bills! You’ve been cleared for operation circulation. But first you need to survive the transport
NICK STERLING: The money travels in tightly secured armored trucks with special locks, GPS …and protected by special guards in case of any funny business. From there the Fed delivers money in similar armored trucks … to your local community banks … Some of the money will stay there in a vault. But most of it is headed straight to people like you and me
BANK CUSTOMER: I would like to withdrawal $20 from my bank account
BANK TELLER: Here you go!
DOLLAR BILL: Wooo Hoo! Here I goooooo!
NICK STERLING: And just like that … mission accomplished … money is on the move!
[END SPY MUSIC]
[SWOOSH]
RYAN: That’s so cool. So money doesn’t just appear … it’s printed … protected … and hand delivered into the economy …
NICK STERLING: Made with care. Guarded like treasure. And sent out to help the economy go round …
SFX SNACK CART
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Snacks? …peanuts? … pretzels or cookies …
RYAN: ooh, I’ll take one of each
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Sorry limit is one per passenger. Airline policy!
RYAN: [under his breath] Then why’d she offer all three?
NICK STERLING: You want to see something cool?
BRIDGET/RYAN: yeah, uh - huh
NICK STERLING: Reach into your pockets and pull out a quarter. Right there on the front next to George Washington to see where your quarter was made. Remember what i said coins are made in either Denver or Philadelphia? If it’s got a “D” it was made in Denver. If it’s a ‘P’ that one came from Philly.
RYAN: Oh cool … never noticed that before
BRIDGET: Okay … but how does the Federal Reserve know how much new money it needs to print in the first place?
NICK STERLING: The Fed looks at a lot of different things like how much money it takes out of circulation. Any damaged or worn out bills are destroyed and replaced with crispy new ones
[SFX SHINY GLEAM)
NICK STERLING: The Fed also looks at demand. If people are using more $20 bills than $10 dollar bills … the Fed might order more twenties … in times of natural disasters … the use of cash tends to go up because electronic payment systems might go out of service … when it comes to coins … demand for those might fluctuate when more people decide to go to a kiosk like Coinstar or their local bank to deposit their coins … so next time you have some cash in hand … take a minute and consider all the places it’s traveled to get to your wallet
BRIDGET: You’re officially one of the coolest people I’ve ever sat next to on a plane
RYAN (TO HIMSELF): Really? The coolest person I ever sat next to was Sting!
NICK STERLING: Never heard of him … Well, my co-workers are going to get a kick when I tell them I sat next to the two podcasters who tried to break into Ft. Knox …
BRIDGET: We assure you that wasn’t us …
[SFX AIRPLACE ANNOUNCEMENT DING]
CAPTAIN: Ladies and gentleman and all you folks heading to San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con … This is your Captain speaking. We’ve just begun our descent and will be landing shortly.
SFX ADD PLANE DESCENT SOUNDS AND DUCK UNDER
At this time please ensure your seatbelts are fastened, your tray tables are stowed and all carry on items are secured. (TRAILS OFF) The cabin crew will be making a final pass through the aisle. On behalf of Million Airways and the entire crew. Thank you for flying with us. Sit back, relax, and we’ll be on the ground in just a few moments.
BRIDGET: [HUSHED TO RYAN] Oh my gosh, Ryan … I was so distracted answering Kit’s question I didn’t even realize we had taken off
RYAN: Did the time fly by?
[SFX BA DUM TUSS]
BRIDGET: Good one, Ryan.
NICK STERLING: We’ll … It's been so nice chatting with the two of you
RYAN: Same here.
BRIDGET: See you at San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con?
NICK STERLING: I’ll be there!
[SFX PLANE LANDING]
CAPTAIN: Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Good news … we’ve landed ahead of schedule. However, we’ll be taxiing on the runway for an hour before we reach the gate. It might be 2 or 3 hours
PASSENGERS: [GRUMBLES/SIGHS]
CAPTAIN: But maybe 5 or 6 you never know these days …
BRIDGET: What? The conference is going to start soon! If we miss the very beginning… we miss everything!!
NICK STERLING: The clock is ticking and we’re racing against time to pull off the impossible …
[SFX - TICK … TICK … TICK 24 COUNT DOWN CLOCK ]
RYAN: Uh oh! Are we ever going to get off this plane? Are we going to make it to the conference in time?
BRIDGET: Looks like we won’t find out until…next season in part two of the San Fran Fin Lit Pod con cliffhanger episode
RYAN: Awwwwww!
–MILLION BAZILLION THEME MUSIC–
[SFX AIRPLANE DING]
CAPTAIN: Okay, passengers … Please remain seated while we taxi to the end of the credits … looks like we’ll be here a while
CAPTAIN: We know you have many podcast options when you fly … er listen … and we thank you for choosing Million Bazillion
CAPTAIN: If you want to learn more about any of the questions we answered, we’ll have information at our website, marketplace dot org slash million and in the show notes for this episode.
CAPTAIN: And did you know we have a newsletter? Sign up at marketplace dot org slash million! Get new episodes delivered straight to your inbox AND a tipsheet on this topic, with conversation starters and more.
CAPTAIN: Today’s flight was brought to you by Marketplace, from American Public Media. The crew responsible for this podcast includes Marissa Cabrera, Bridget Bodnar and Ryan Perez Jasmine Romero, and Flora Warshaw.
CAPTAIN: We had some extra help voicing this episode from: Jay Sea-bold, Daniel Shin, Justin Ho, Alice Wilder, Courtney Bergsieker and Jesson Dueller. Special thanks to Francesca Levy, Blaise Waguespack from Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University, Susan Pozo from Western Michigan University and Sharon McPike from the US Mint for reaching gold wing status and helping us answer today’s money questions
CAPTAIN: Keeping your ears happy the entire flight is all thanks to our sound designer Brendan Dalton… Derek Ramirez did the mixing. The theme music was created by Wonderly.
CAPTAIN: Bridget Bodnar is the Director of Podcasts at Marketplace.
Joanne Griffith is the Chief Creative Officer.
Neal Scarbrough is the VP and General Manager.
CAPTAIN: Million Bazillion is funded in part by the Sy Syms Foundation, partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985. And special thanks to The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance for providing the start-up funding for this podcast, and continuing to support Marketplace in our work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy.
CAPTAIN: From all of us here at Million Bazillion thanks for listening …
CAPTAIN: And … if Million Bazillion is helping your family have important conversations about money, consider making a one-time donation today at marketplace-dot-org-slash-givemillion, and thanks for your support.
[SFX AIRPLANE DING/SEATBELT LIGHT SOUND]
CAPTAIN: Alright everyone, thanks for your patience. A mere five hours later and we’re ready to get off this plane, please take all your belongings, and disembark in an orderly fashion…
The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance, supports Marketplace’s work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy. Next Gen Personal Finance is a non-profit that believes all students benefit from having a financial education before they cross the stage at high school graduation.
Greenlight is a debit card and money app for kids and teens. Through the Greenlight app, parents can transfer money, automate allowance, manage chores, set flexible spend controls and invest for their kids’ futures (parents can invest on the platform too!) Kids and teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely, give and invest with parental approval. Our mission is to shine a light on the world of money for families and empower parents to raise financially-smart kids. We aim to create a world where every child grows up to be financially healthy and happy. Today, Greenlight serves 5 million+ parents and kids, helping them learn healthy financial habits, collectively save more than $350 million to-date and invest more than $20 million.
The Sy Syms Foundation: Partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985.
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