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?

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I've Always Wondered ...

How much money do religious leaders make?

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 29, 2024

The average salary is about $60,000, but pay can vary widely, just like in other fields.

tzahiV/Getty Images Plus

I've Always Wondered ...

Is there a chance your key could work on another house?

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 22, 2024

There’s a chance – albeit very small – you have the same key as someone else out there in the world.

akinshin/Getty Images Plus

I've Always Wondered ...

Why do tables only get one drink menu?

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 15, 2024

Too many menus on the table can overwhelm guests.

When it comes to restaurant menus, sometimes simpler is better.

andresr/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Stars invest in their red carpet look with a loan from a jeweler

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 8, 2024

A stylist joined Marketplace to explain how actresses arrange to wear dazzling accessories during awards season. And yes, security is involved.

Julianne Moore wears a Cartier necklace at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. Stylists work behind the scenes to arrange jewelry loans, explained Kate Young, a Hollywood stylist who worked with Moore to put this look together.

Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024

I've Always Wondered ...

Why aren’t all gas tanks on the same side of the car?

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 1, 2024

Consumer preference and safety concerns are just two of the factors that go into determining where the fuel filler is located.

Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why do airplanes have ashtrays on board if smoking is banned?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 23, 2024

In 2000, Bill Clinton signed a law that banned smoking on all domestic and international flights to and from the U.S.

While airline ashtrays may seem antiquated, the FAA thinks it's better to be safe than sorry.

actual_size/Getty Images Plus

I've Always Wondered ...

Not playing at a theater near you: Why are some movies so hard to find?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 16, 2024

It comes down to how much money the theaters think they’re going to earn.

If a movie doesn't show up at the theater, it's because the theater doesn't think it will make money, one filmmaker told us.

batuhan toker/Getty Images Plus

For public good, not for profit.

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I've Always Wondered ...

Are too many commercials bad for a company?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 9, 2024

It turns out any annoyance we have toward a commercial eventually goes away.

Repetitive advertising is a necessary evil for a lot of companies.

gpointstudio/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

How are companies like GoodRx able to provide drug discounts?

by Janet Nguyen

Feb 2, 2024

Discount card companies negotiate directly with pharmacies or pharmacy benefit managers, the powerful brokers that control drug prices.

A majority of Americans say that prescription drug costs are unreasonable, according to a KFF poll.

George Frey/Getty Images

I've Always Wondered ...

Why do so many women drive Ford Mustangs?

by Janet Nguyen

Jan 26, 2024

The famed car model has a classic style, an affordable price and was marketed to women from the beginning.

Many women gravitate toward the Mustang, which Ford marketed to female customers in the car's early days.

Daviles/Getty Images

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