Economics

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Why Restaurants Love Buffets Even More Than You Do

Think "all you can eat" means you get more than you paid for? As one restaurant expert put it, "The house always wins."

By Dave Roos Apr 25, 2018 Economics / Economic Concepts

Cryptocurrencies: The Creation of AI, Aliens or Even the Antichrist?

Cryptocurrencies are likely here to stay. But who's really behind their creation and should we trust this new form of digital cash?

By Diana Brown Apr 13, 2018 Economics / Currency

Bitcoin: High-tech Currency or Black-market Money?

Cryptocurrencies have been in the news a lot lately. How much do you know about the legitimacy of these 'invisible' currencies?

By Diana Brown Apr 10, 2018 Economics / Currency

About Face: The U.S. Currency Portrait Quiz

Most bank notes and coins made in the U.S. feature famous people from American history. But we often use these bills without registering whose faces are actually on the notes. Can you guess without opening your wallet?

By Nathan Chandler Economics / Currency

The True Story of Blood Diamonds

Diamonds weren't even very popular before the 1930s. And it wasn't until a savvy copywriter created an ad slogan that the stones became synonymous with love.

By Diana Brown Mar 20, 2018 Economics / Money & Politics

When Will We Reach the Tipping Point for Tipping?

Some U.S. restaurants' experiments with dropping tipping in favor of higher menu prices did not catch on with consumers. Is there a profit point when it would make sense to drop tipping?

By Dave Roos Mar 13, 2018 Economics / Economic Concepts

Who Wins (and Loses) If U.S. Imposes Steel Tariffs?

President Donald Trump wants countries exporting steel and aluminum to the U.S. to pay steep tariffs. Could these tariffs spark a global trade war?

By John Donovan Mar 6, 2018 Economics / Money & Politics

Tiny Houses Are Huge for Homeless

The tiny house movement is providing homes for people who need shelter.

By Carrie Tatro Feb 28, 2018 Economics / Charity & Goodwill

Cash Bail Punishes Poor, But What's the Alternative?

The U.S.'s long-standing cash bail system produces two very different outcomes depending on how much money the defendant can scrape together.

By Dave Roos Feb 14, 2018 Economics / Money & the Law

You Can't Buy Anything for a Penny Anymore, Not Even a Penny

Even items with the word 'penny' in their name, like penny candy, cost more than a cent. What does a penny buy in America these days?

By Dave Roos Feb 2, 2018 Economics / Currency

When Bitcoins Vanish, Can You Get Them Back?

Whether your account has been hacked or you've lost your private key code, do you have any recourse for recovering your lost bitcoin?

By Dave Roos Jan 24, 2018 Economics / Currency

Know Before You Amazon Go That Your Privacy Will Be Low

Forget about being anonymous when you shop. In the new Amazon Go store, every single thing you buy is linked directly to you.

By Jonathan Strickland Jan 23, 2018 Economics / Money & Ethics

Bitcoin Futures Trading Isn't Blowing Up — Yet

Bitcoin had a banner 2017, trading at up to around $20,000 per unit. So, hopes were high for its debut on the futures market in December. How is this cryptocurrency faring in the real world of financial regulation?

By Dave Roos Jan 9, 2018 Economics / Currency

Why Is Amazon Not Considered a Monopoly?

The online company has its fingers in just about every e-commerce enterprise; it's even caused many organizations to go out of business. Yet the U.S. government has not tried to stop Amazon's growth. Why's that?

By Dave Roos Dec 11, 2017 Economics / Economic Concepts

Beyond Bitcoin: What’s the Next Big Cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin's price of more than $10,000 a coin has gotten everyone excited, but some financial experts are putting their money on another cryptocurrency.

By Dave Roos Dec 1, 2017 Economics / Currency

9 of the Weirdest Lost-and-found Items in the World

Fifty vacuum-packed frogs, a wedding gown and an actual human skull. These are just a few of the world's best lost-and-found items.

By Laurie L. Dove Nov 13, 2017 Economics / Charity & Goodwill

Could a Corporation Have Its Own Entire City?

Amazon does everything else, so why not own a city, too? If all goes according to plan, Amazon The City may be coming to a municipality near you.

By Laurie L. Dove Oct 6, 2017 Economics / Money & Ethics

5 Donation Tips for (Really) Helping Disaster Victims

Is it better to give cash or goods? And which organizations should you support? Find out the best ways to really help people in times of disaster.

By Dave Roos Sep 18, 2017 Economics / Charity & Goodwill

Neighbor-spoofing Robocalls Are the New Nuisance

People are being bombarded by telemarketing calls with numbers that look local, but aren't. The FCC is cracking down on these scammers.

By Shelley Danzy Sep 12, 2017 Economics / Scams

Do Hurricanes Help Local Economies in the Long Run?

Spending goes up on construction and repairs after a disaster. But experts say it doesn't make the local economy better.

By Dave Roos Sep 11, 2017 Economics / Economic Concepts

Are Money and Religion More Similar Than We Realize?

We place faith in our money and financial systems. But have we put so much faith in them that we're not equate money and religion — or money to, ahem, our eternal salvation?

By Diana Brown Aug 29, 2017 Economics / Economic Concepts

Taking a Photo of Something Makes Donating It Easier

New research posits a simple way to get rid of household clutter and keep your precious memories: Snap a picture.

By Kate Kershner Jul 13, 2017 Economics / Charity & Goodwill

U.S. Politicians Prioritize Coal Mining Jobs Above Other Industries, Despite Data

U.S. politicians talk a lot about trying to save coal mining jobs, while saying little about losses in significantly larger sectors like retail. Why the disconnect?

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 14, 2017 Economics / Money & Politics