ECONOMICS

Returns can be a costly proposition for retailers.

Where Do Online Orders Go When You Return Them?

The fate of your unwanted air fryer, explained.

Buying a home in these states might prove to be a long-term win.

The 3 Best States to Buy a Home in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Experts

Two states are expected, but the other might surprise you.

The 10 Least Common Jobs in the U.S.

From wood patternmakers to pediatric surgeons, these 10 jobs are quite uncommon.

Not every state has a high median income.

The 15 States Where Workers Earn the Most Money

Where you live definitely affects how much you can potentially make, as certain states have higher average incomes than others.

Netflix has increased subscriber fees. So has virtually everyone else.

Here's How Much Netflix, Prime, and Other Streaming Services Have Increased in Price Since 2023

Rising production costs have led streamers to increase fees across the board.

Very Unhappy Meals: The 10 Fast Food Chains Where Prices Have Skyrocketed

Once a beacon for cost-conscious consumers, McDonald’s has doubled their prices since 2014.

Teacher salaries can vary widely by state.

Here's How Much the Average Teacher Earns in Each State

Where you teach can make a huge difference in how much you earn.

Millions of Millennials Are Moving Back Home With Their Parents—Here's Why

Money is the main reason so many Millennials are moving back home. But it isn't the only one.

The 12 States That Pay the Highest Minimum Wage

Some states try to look out for workers. Others actually set minimums below the federal rate.

The spinning jenny was basically the spinning wheel 2.0.

How the Spinning Jenny Transformed Textiles and Led to Industrial Sabotage

Here's the story of why the spinning jenny was invented and how the spinning mule usurped it.

A hot San Francisco neighborhood tops the list.

The 20 Most Expensive U.S. Neighborhoods, Based on Square Footage

California and Florida dominate the list of America's priciest neighborhoods.

The Enduring Enigma of Costco’s $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

In an era of rampant price increases, the cost of Costco's meal combo hasn't changed in nearly 40 years.

Shellshock: Eggs Are Expensive Right Now—Here’s Why

Egg-flation is real, and it might be a minute before it gets better.

We'll all miss those five missing chips.

'Shrinkflation' Has Come for Your Doritos

Thanks to rising inflation costs, there are now five fewer chips in a bag of Doritos than there used to be.

Each Country’s Top Import and Export, Mapped

From surgical equipment to gasoline, this map shows the top import and export in each country around the world.

Dollar Tree Will Start Selling Some Products for More Than $1

In part because Dollar Tree stock prices have plummeted recently, the stores are pivoting to a “sometimes-more-than-a-dollar” business plan.

Looking to Buy a Used Car? These Are the 20 States Where You’ll Pay the Most Money

Why are used cars so expensive right now? A classic case of low supply, high demand—and it’s affecting the Mountain States the worst.

Why Is There a Light in Your Refrigerator, But Not in the Freezer?

The reason your refrigerator light doesn’t have a friend in the freezer comes down to cost-benefit analysis.

More than 15 percent of North Dakota's hard-working population lives in Fargo.

The 25 Hardest-Working States in America

According to a new survey, the very middle of America is chock-full of workaholics, from North Dakota to Texas.

Tenino, Washington, Is Loaning Residents Wooden Money to Boost Its Economy

Printing its own wooden currency is a way for Tenino, Washington, to support residents while keeping cash within its local economy.

Al Capone: Public Enemy #1, soup kitchen proprietor

When Al Capone Ran a Soup Kitchen During the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, 50 percent of Chicago's workforce was out of a job. Al Capone, the city's bloodthirstiest gangster, stepped in feed the hungry.

The World's 10 Most Expensive Cities

Two U.S. cities made The Economist Intelligence Unit's list of the world's most expensive cities. Can you guess which ones?

The Reasons Why Iceland Is So Expensive

More Americans than ever are taking vacations to Iceland, and many are returning home with sticker shock.

How to Give the Most Efficient Christmas Gifts, According to Economists

You're not going to like this.