Economics

We're not sure why but Americans seem to lose their minds when picking up flashy electronics at big discounts the day after Thanksgiving. Discover 10 horrifying true-life tales that happened during Black Friday shopping.

By Laurie L. Dove

Is that stock that's been lingering price-wise in the basement a good deal or just likely to down even lower? Can you tell whether a stock's price is going to go up or down without being psychic?

By Dave Roos

Unlike dollars, pounds or yen, Bitcoin isn't backed by any government. It's a completely decentralized form of money. Is the world ready for virtual currency?

By Dave Roos & Nathan Chandler

Inflation is often defined as too many dollars chasing too few goods. But what does that really mean? And how does it affect the price of goods?

By Dave Roos

Just like the rest of us, superpowers can have trouble paying the bills. But instead of using a Visa card with a really high limit, the U.S. borrows money from its citizens. What it owes is called the national debt. Why does it matter?

By Dave Roos

News about a hurricane or tornado far away impels us to want to help the survivors. But is there a right way and a wrong way to do this? Can a donation be worse than doing nothing at all?

By Dave Roos

The idea of minting a trillion-dollar coin to pay the U.S. national debt seemed intriguing, if far-fetched. Though it was nixed by the Fed and the Treasury, could it have worked - and why?

By Laurie L. Dove

One of the subjects that comes into play when people discuss the legalization of marijuana is the cost. How will the law impact the economics of marijuana?

By Maria Trimarchi

Who among us hasn't seen an Internet ad advertising a book or scheme to make lots of easy money? Some schemes are easier to see than others. Here are some ways to spot the scams.

By Laurie L. Dove

Every now and then we read about the government going after a corporation for some crime. How do they decide who to prosecute and why?

By Dave Roos

In the grand tradition of retail, all is not always as it seems, and the doorbuster is no exception. Before you camp out for Black Friday, brush up on your retail parlance, and discover the shady side of deals "too good to be true."

By Julia Layton

Gas prices are notoriously volatile. Does the president have any control over how much you pay at the pump?

By Dave Roos

The relationship between taxes and social welfare programs drives the argument that taxes are essentially socialist, but is that really the case? What does it mean to be socialist -- and how does that definition change once one leaves the U.S.?

By Dave Roos

The Women, Infants and Children program helps ensure that needy families are getting the nutrition they need. How do people qualify for the program and what does it provide?

By Amber Pittman

Initially dismissed as an isolated, disjointed protest organized by leftist radicals, the Occupy Wall Street movement has gained traction all across the world. Who are these protestors, really, and what do they stand for?

By Cristen Conger

According to conservative opponents to the Occupy Wall Street movement, only 53 percent of Americans pay income tax. Is this true -- and does it matter?

By Dave Roos

You've heard a lot lately about the super-wealthy 1 percent and the 99 percent fighting them for a sliver of the American economic pie. But do 1 percent of Americans really control a full third of all wealth in the U.S.? Yes ... and no.

By Dave Roos

Countries around the world, collectively, have run up at least $40 trillion in debt, but some are worse off than others. Which nations have the largest slices of that massive debt pie?

By Cristen Conger

If you ever get a chance to buy a blue-chip stock, you'd jump on it -- but what if you can't afford to buy all the shares you'd like? You can open a margin account and borrow the money, but be careful: You can go completely broke if things go south.

By Ed Grabianowski

Some places rise in a blaze of glory, growing and flourishing to become the envy of the world. Other towns seem destined for success -- until their luck runs out.

By Joseph Miller

If you've seen the end of the film "Trading Places," you know the potential outcome of a margin call. What is this terrifying thing -- and how do investors end up having to pay one?

By Dave Roos

It's hard to quantify the economic impact of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 -- and pretty much impossible to tally the emotional cost of that fateful day. How did the events of 9/11 affect the U.S. economically?

By Ed Grabianowski

Your home is in dire need of renovations, and you would like to apply for a federal home improvement grant. Learn about how to apply for a federal home improvement grant in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You'd like to start a youth center, but don't know where to begin. Learn about how to start a youth center in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You'd like to start a food pantry, but don't know where to begin. Learn about how to start a food pantry in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors