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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 ...

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
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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.
iStock
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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
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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
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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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I've Always Wondered ...

I've always wondered: how mint flavoring became associated with clean teeth

by Mitchell Hartman
Sep 8, 2023
Listener Grant Cohoe says he's "not a fan of mint" and asks: "Why it is that mint is so ubiquitous in toothpaste, mouthwash and the like?"
Mint flavored toothpaste at the store. 
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace
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Why do airlines set weird departure and arrival times?

by Janet Nguyen
Aug 25, 2023
Forget “the logic of the clock.” The airline is thinking about the airplane, not the customer, one expert told us.
Have an 8:02 a.m. flight to catch?
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why does Costco sell luxury items?

by Jana Kasperkevic
Aug 18, 2023
Everyone loves a good deal.
A worker pushes carts outside a Costco Wholesale store in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

You may be losing out on retirement money if you leave your job early 

by Janet Nguyen
Aug 11, 2023
Some employers will match your contributions to your retirement fund, but you may have to stay with them for years to access that money.
Some employer matching contributions come with strings attached.
pinkomelet/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Do landlords get tax credits for empty buildings? 

by Janet Nguyen
Aug 4, 2023
Some regions provide a form of tax relief, but under special circumstances, while others actually tax cities for commercial vacancies.
People walk past vacant stores at a mall in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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