From greenwashing to fair trade to credit card practices, the Money & Ethics Channel explores some of our most complex questions around ethics and economics.
More Money Topics to Explore:
Bill Gates thinks it should. Payroll taxes from workers fund Social Security, Medicare and defense among other federal programs. But other experts firmly disagree.
By Dave Roos
The gender pay gap is usually expressed something like this: Women make 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. Where did this figure come from and is it still true?
Razors. Shampoo. Even dry cleaning. Women pay more for these things every day. Simply because, well, they're women.
Advertisement
Forget about being anonymous when you shop. In the new Amazon Go store, every single thing you buy is linked directly to you.
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.
Whether from a clerical error or an improperly offered bonus, sometimes you end up with a fatter paycheck than you're supposed to get. But if it's not your fault, do you have to give back the money?
By Dave Roos
On average, black women in the U.S. workforce earned $0.37 less for every dollar a man in the U.S. workforce earned in 2014. That's a pretty big wage gap.
Advertisement
Massachusetts just passed a law barring companies from asking prospective employees for salary history. Will that level the playing field for women and minorities?
By Dave Roos
We're not sure why Americans lose their minds at the thought of picking up flashy electronics at big discounts on the day after Thanksgiving. But it happens. Discover 10 horrifying true-life tales that happened on Black Friday.
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
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
Advertisement
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?
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
Capitalism revolves around the entrepreneurial spirit: Anyone willing to work hard enough to succeed will do so. However, that's easier said than done, especially in the developing world. That's where microlending comes in.
By Josh Clark
How do illegal drugs reach consumers without detection? There are points -- known as narco states -- along the world's drug supply chain where illegal substances are bought and sold with governmental approval.
By Josh Clark
Advertisement
Waiting in endless checkout lines can make Scrooges out of the cheeriest holiday shoppers. Many of us brave the mall mayhem to be part of the Black Friday rush. But to retailers' chagrin, most of us are browsing and not buying on this storied day.
In the credit default swaps (CDS) market, the health of multinational banks and corporations -- and the portfolios of untold individuals -- are at stake. What's more, the market is entirely unregulated. So how much damage can CDSs really cause?
By Josh Clark
If you've picked up a newspaper lately, then you're aware of the economic troubles raging on Wall Street. But the culprit may very well be in your own neighborhood: Are mortgage-backed securities to blame for the mess?
By Josh Clark
You just got your tax refund, and you want to do the right thing and eliminate debt. But why doesn't your credit card company want you to pay down your balance?
By Jane McGrath
Advertisement
In 2007 and 2008, foreclosures became a hot news topic. But is the crisis the fault of the home buyer, or is the lender to blame?
By Dave Roos
Ever wonder why your favorite restaurant from back home offers a completely different menu abroad? This is called glocalization -- global organizations adapting expansive products to fit local markets.
By Robert Lamb
It's pretty trendy to buy and eat organic and sustainable foods, and chances are the swanky coffee shop you frequent proffers some fair trade beans. But what does the label "fair trade" mean?
By Robert Lamb
The framers of the U.S. Constitution didn't add any clauses that limited the rights of corporations. But did a Supreme Court reporter set a radical precedent for businesses?
By Josh Clark
Advertisement
The American tax system is a huge machine with a tax code that seems more complex than rocket science. Many of us have come to dread April 15th: Tax Day. So what if you just didn't file them?
If you miss a monthly payment to your credit card company, your credit score will drop and your credit report will show it. What else would happen if you stopped paying your bills completely?