Margaret Guzman

Vanilla is so valuable that it's been called "green gold." At its peak in 2017, prices reached nearly $600 per kilo, making it the second-most expensive spice in the world. But by 2024, prices had crashed to roughly $50 per kilo. That volatility stems from one major factor: The world depends heavily on Madagascar, which has historically supplied about 80% of natural vanilla. When storms, theft, early harvesting, or policy changes hit Madagascar's crop, the entire global market feels it.

In 2019, the plant-based meat industry experienced explosive growth. Investors poured hundreds of millions of dollars into companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. Fast-food giants like McDonald's and Burger King rolled out plant-based burgers nationwide. Even celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry backed the movement. But then momentum stalled. Since the early 2020s, plant-based meat sales have cooled. Prices remain high. Critics question how ultra-processed these products are.

Seeing your favorite artist onstage has never been more expensive. In the 1960s, a ticket to see The Beatles could cost around $5. In 2024, the average concert ticket in the US was nearly $136. And on the resale market, prices can jump to almost double that, with some Taylor Swift fans paying thousands of dollars for a single seat.