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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?

Are too many commercials bad for a company?
I've Always Wondered ...
Are too many commercials bad for a company?
Why aren’t all gas tanks on the same side of the car? 
I've Always Wondered ...
Why aren’t all gas tanks on the same side of the car? 
Who does the U.S. owe $31.4 trillion?
I've Always Wondered ...
Who does the U.S. owe $31.4 trillion?
Why are bananas so cheap?
I've Always Wondered ...
Why are bananas so cheap?

From This Collection

I've Always Wondered ...

Could the federal minimum wage vary by the regional cost of living?

by Mitchell Hartman
Apr 29, 2021
A listener writes: "If you make the minimum wage $15/hour, it’s not enough in New York and it’s way too much in Peoria. Would it be possible to tie the minimum wage to the cost of living?"
Many Democrats back a $15 hourly federal minimum wage. That can buy you different things in different parts of the country.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Here’s what happens to the extra food in cooking competition shows

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 22, 2021
The leftovers on “Cupcake Wars,” “Cake Wars” and “Top Chef" may get eaten by the crew or donated to local charities.
A contestant's tempting creations on the Food Network show "Cupcake Wars."
Image via Hulu
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I've Always Wondered ...

A big number that poses big ethical questions

by Katherine Wiles
Apr 15, 2021
Grasping big numbers is a hard thing for humans to do, and that has implications for how we think about billionaires.
Jeff Bezos, seen in 2019, is currently worth $177 billion.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
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COVID-19

Have cold medicine sales declined during the COVID-19 crisis?

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 8, 2021
With lockdown measures in place, that meant people were limiting their interactions with others.
Cold, flu and cough medicine sales dropped by more than 27% over the past year.
Craig Mitchelldyer/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Will economic growth always rely on population growth?

by Katherine Wiles
Apr 1, 2021
In theory, the ingredients of economic growth are capital and investment. In practice, not so much.
In theory, the economy can continue to grow with a stable population. In practice, not so much.
Dmytro Varavin via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why don’t we use 900 numbers anymore?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 25, 2021
Before the internet, we accessed information — and reached out to celebrities — by dialing a number.
In the days of landlines, you could call 900 numbers to connect with celebs.
Chris Ryan/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why some inflation measurements don’t include food and energy prices

by Katherine Wiles
Mar 18, 2021
Core inflation strips out food and energy prices, because they can be pretty volatile.
Energy and food prices can fluctuate rapidly, so "core" inflation strips those prices out.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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For public good, not for profit.

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I've Always Wondered ...

Why “equity” can mean “cash” in real estate and “fairness” in everyday language

by Katherine Wiles
Mar 11, 2021
“Equity” comes from a Latin root meaning “fair” or ”equal.” It’s legal history started in 15th century English equity courts.
Equity has multiple meanings when it comes to real estate that derive from the term "equity of redemption."
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How $75,000 became the threshold for receiving a stimulus check

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 4, 2021
COVID-19 stimulus checks began to phase out for individuals making more than this amount.
BackyardProduction/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How many U.S. flags are made in the U.S.?

by Katherine Wiles
Feb 25, 2021
Perhaps the best-known symbol of American patriotism, the American flag is made in the U.S. 94% of the time.
An American flag flies outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 9, 2021.
Al Drago/Getty Images
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