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 ...

What happens to your Christmas tree after the holidays?

I've Always Wondered ...

Why are bananas so cheap?

I've Always Wondered ...

What is the economic impact of lost and stolen packages?

From This Collection

I've Always Wondered ...

How licensing versus imitation works in the food industry

by Janet Nguyen

Oct 7, 2021

While some brands create knockoffs of competing products, others license out the brand names themselves.

The Moose Tracks ice cream flavor is made by many brands, but always to strict specifications.

LRD615/Flickr

I've Always Wondered ...

How do song royalties for live performances work?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 30, 2021

Artists will often perform covers of other musicians’ songs. A look at the rules that govern who gets paid.

U2 performing in concert in 2019, generating revenue for the songwriters.

Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Do insider trading rules apply to corporate stock buybacks?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 23, 2021

Big companies spent nearly $200 billion on share repurchases last quarter. The lack of government oversight has drawn a backlash.

Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Flush with cash, many big American companies are buying back their own shares, a practice that is relatively unregulated.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Do warehouse clubs like Costco save you money in the long run?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 16, 2021

Buying in bulk can cost more upfront, creating problems for low-income consumers.

Shoppers walk the aisles of a Costco. Bulk buying can help your budget if you can afford the upfront costs, though it can also depend on the item and the size of your household.

Paul Kane/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Where will we charge all those electric vehicles of the future?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 9, 2021

President Biden wants to build half a million charging stations in the U.S. by 2030. But will most users be plugging in their cars at home?

The Biden administration is pushing for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

What happens to unsold cars?

by Janet Nguyen

Sep 2, 2021

Before the COVID-19 crisis, some dealerships had to deal with surplus inventory on packed lots.

New cars typically remain on dealers' lots until they get sold.

Carl Court/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why are the waitlists for child care so long?

by Janet Nguyen

Aug 19, 2021

Child care centers, which already struggled to recruit staffers, face additional pressures brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.

It can be hard to find child care providers because of the low pay and lack of benefits.

FatCamera/Getty Images

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I've Always Wondered ...

What common household items are worth recycling?

by Janet Nguyen

Aug 12, 2021

The first thing you need to do is find out what your local municipality accepts. And don't put recyclables in plastic bags.

A woman wearing a face mask and a plastic bag pulls a cart loaded with bags of recyclables through the streets of lower Manhattan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why is veterinary care so expensive?

by Janet Nguyen

Aug 5, 2021

U.S. pet owners spend billions of dollars each year keeping their animals healthy. Here's why that amount has been steadily rising.

A veterinarian takes care of a new puppy during his check up.

FatCamera/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

How are the Olympic designers chosen?

by Janet Nguyen

Jul 29, 2021

Brands can be judged as stringently as the athletes they hope to dress.

A view of USA's delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

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