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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?

Does it make cents to get rid of the penny?
I've Always Wondered ...
Does it make cents to get rid of the penny?
What happens to your Christmas tree after the holidays? 
I've Always Wondered ...
What happens to your Christmas tree after the holidays? 
Why are bananas so cheap?
I've Always Wondered ...
Why are bananas so cheap?
What is the economic impact of lost and stolen packages? 
I've Always Wondered ...
What is the economic impact of lost and stolen packages? 

From This Collection

I've Always Wondered ...

Why aren’t gas prices dropping if oil is getting cheaper?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 18, 2022
Crude oil prices factor heavily into gas prices.
Gas prices reached record highs around the country as the Russian invasion of Ukraine causes global oil markets to surge.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why is the Federal Reserve raising interest rates if supply chain issues are fueling inflation?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 16, 2022
Consumer prices climbed 7.9% year over year in February, the highest rate in four decades.
Supply chain bottlenecks, including problems in shipping and trucking, have spurred prices higher.
George Frey/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

What exactly is the SWIFT banking system?

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 3, 2022
It allows financial institutions around the world to communicate quickly and efficiently. Seven Russian banks are being banned from the system.
A view of Bank Rossiya's headquarters in St. Petersburg, Russia. Bank Rossiya is one of seven banks that have been barred from the SWIFT messaging system.
Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Who picks the businesses on highway exit signs?

by Janet Nguyen
Feb 24, 2022
These signs allow businesses to advertise their products, while guiding drivers on the highway.
A sample of a blue highway exit sign, which are used throughout the U.S.
Wikimedia Commons
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I've Always Wondered ...

What does it take to earn the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance?

by Janet Nguyen
Feb 17, 2022
A product has to go through a rigorous review, with companies proving that their facilities meet FDA standards. There's a fee involved too.
Boxes of Crest toothpaste boast the ADA seal. The product has to prove that it's legit.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Can credit card companies plant the trees they say they will?

by Janet Nguyen
Feb 10, 2022
Planting is one thing, experts say. Maintaining a tree is a different story.
A Sitka spruce is planted at the North Doddington site in Doddington, England.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Where is your money while waiting for an online transfer to go through?

by Janet Nguyen
Feb 3, 2022
Standard transactions through the ACH system aren’t instantaneous — they can take several days.
Transfer times between your accounts can depend on when you're sending your money, your "risk profile" and which financial services you're using.
Ridofranz/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How does the U.S. Mint decide how many coins to produce each year?

by Janet Nguyen
Jan 27, 2022
Billions of coins entered circulation in 2021 alone. But the pandemic has slowed supply and created demand.
Jorge Villalba/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why are company profits rising despite inflation?

by Janet Nguyen
Jan 20, 2022
The costs of many goods have been passed on to the consumer.
Dawn dish liquid is made by Procter & Gamble, which has been raising prices and posting higher sales. The company plans to increase prices further later this year.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do TV commercials for charities ask for $19 a month?

by Janet Nguyen
Jan 13, 2022
The oddness of that amount may be part of the reason why.
fstop123/Getty Images
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