The Hustle's Original Stories

Gas is at record-high prices in the United States, but it still costs far less than elsewhere in the world. And in the long run, Americans might pay for that privilege.

The Hustle surveyed 3k+ renters and landlords to find out how much rent has gone up in 2022, and what’s driving the surge.

A little-known provision in a 100-year-old contract opened up the door for private investors to mint money from mouthwash sales.

A hot housing market has attracted thousands of new agents. For most of them, the gold rush won’t be so lucrative.

Taking the kids to a baseball game, a movie, or Disneyland is a bigger financial commitment than it used to be for middle-class families.

Nearly 50 years ago, one man ‘invented’ the modern smiley face. Then, another man halfway across the world made it into a multimillion-dollar cash cow.

A handful of companies have pushed the boundaries of intellectual property law by laying claim to individual colors.

Financial gurus want young home shoppers to stop complaining and cut back on small luxuries. But there are broader affordability issues at play.

We talked to one of the most successful investors in the world about inflation, the debt crisis, and the decline of the American empire.

The Depp-Heard trial was the latest courtroom battle to call attention to the gainful microeconomy of expert witnesses.

The Great Recession led to a carpenter exodus. But cultural and pay issues have stunted the profession’s growth for far longer.

The story of See’s Candies reminds us of the importance of consistency, quality, and long-term growth in investing.

When something is free, people feel a positive glow — and standard cost-benefit analyses go out the window.

When golf tournaments promise big cash prizes for holes-in-one, they turn to niche insurers to protect against a stroke of luck.

Hotel guests leave behind millions of half-used bars of soap every day. A nonprofit is on a mission to repurpose them.

When Atari’s video game designers were stiffed on credit for their work, they expressed their dissatisfaction through hidden messages.

With gas prices climbing up, you may think station owners are getting greedy. But the economics behind the pump tell a different story.

America is dealing with its worst inflation in nearly 40 years. It could get worse if inflationary psychology takes hold.

Suyash Mehta was on the fast track to a successful career as a doctor. Then, he took an extreme pivot.

Crazy Eddie boasted some of the most impressive retail sales in the country. But its owner was more interested in conducting a brazen fraud.

Major brands like Coors, Microsoft, and Burger King want in on our dreams — and researchers are concerned about it.

The Hustle surveyed more than 1k people who left their jobs during the pandemic. Here are 4 of their stories.

Kristie Wolfe has built off-grid hobbit holes, treehouses, and potato-shaped abodes — often on a shoestring budget.

The home furnishings giant enlists a maze-like layout, cheap food, and crafty psychology to get you to fill up your cart.

In recent years, Americans who want to attend the Olympic Games have been forced to buy tickets from CoSport, a small New Jersey company that rakes in millions.

Spotify’s recent Joe Rogan controversy has also deepened a rift between the platform and artists over pay.

In the midst of a national housing shortage, towns on the Kansas plains are giving away free land and ultra-cheap houses. Is the offer worth it?

‘Harbinger customers’ are really good at picking out things that fail — and in the product marketing business, they can be a kiss of death.

The economics of dog walking can be lucrative — but the profession comes with a myriad of wild encounters.

Nearly 200 years ago, Gregor MacGregor pulled off one of the most brazen real estate scams in history.