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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 ...

Here’s why running shoes frequently come in bold and flashy colors

by Janet Nguyen
Jun 21, 2024
Can hyper violet shoes help you run hyper fast? Some consumers think so.
Some believe that this shoe's neon green color will help you run faster.
Alex Burstow/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

So you want to buy (or sell) shares on the stock exchange. How is the price determined?

by Janet Nguyen
Jun 14, 2024
Think of it as a cattle auction, one expert told us.
Brokerage firms have to provide you with the best bid or offer on the market.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why you might find two Louis Vuitton stores on the same block

by Janet Nguyen
Jun 7, 2024
Luxury loves company. Two stores from the exact same fashion house might sit within a small radius.
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

How large is the shadow economy?

by Janet Nguyen
May 31, 2024
Trillions of dollars worth of business goes unreported in this economy — street vending, farm labor, babysitting and more. Let’s do the numbers.
Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do Americans tip when people in other countries don’t have to?

by Janet Nguyen
May 24, 2024
One expert credits America’s strong tip culture with weaker unions.
"We’re kind of the tip-happiest country out there," one expert told us.
vinnstock/Getty Images Plus
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I've Always Wondered ...

What should you do if your Social Security number is stolen?

by Janet Nguyen
May 10, 2024
Freeze your credit, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or use free, online resources, experts say.
Make sure you consistently review your financial statements to spot fraudulent activity.
Sean Anthony Eddy/Getty Images Plus
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why does my electric company need to advertise?

by Janet Nguyen
May 3, 2024
Sometimes it's for public service announcements, sometimes it's for public relations after a scandal. Either way, some states are cracking down.
Utilities advertise to sell products, make public service announcements, and improve their image.
George Rose/Getty Images
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For public good, not for profit.

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I've Always Wondered ...

Why charging your laptop is getting easier 

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 19, 2024
The USB-C connector has become a standard across laptops and phones.
The USB-C cable makes it easier to charge across different devices.
Cronislaw/Getty Images Plus
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why do airlines still use dot matrix printers?

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 12, 2024
“I'm so tired of those damn things,” one airline crew member told us.
The dot matrix printer cannot be defeated, at least in some respects.
SkillGt/Getty Images Plus
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I've Always Wondered ...

The origins of the IRS logo

by Janet Nguyen
Apr 5, 2024
For $197,000, in today’s dollars, a design firm revamped IRS tax forms in the ‘60s. That included the creation of a new symbol representing an eagle.
It can be hard to make out the IRS symbol, which depicts an eagle.
LPETTET/Getty Images
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