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Money & Power

What Would You Do With $100?

Duration: 27 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC World Service AustralasiaLatest broadcast: on BBC World Service News Internet

Available for over a year

What do our plans for spending $100 reveal about us and the buying power of money?

Lesley Curwen travels to Washington DC where the $100 note is printed. In the city, she meets Maurice Abbey Bey, a former drug user now charity worker who would spend his imaginary $100 on both a necessity and a small luxury, while Margarita Womack, a former scientist turned entrepreneur would use her imaginary $100 to relax, away from her hectic daily life.

We also meet Pelagia Chabata who has recently left her homeland of Zimbabwe to seek work in Washington DC. For her staying connected online is paramount.

The $100 bill is most popular outside of the US and about 90% of all bills are shipped out of the country. A small handful of countries actually use the US dollar as legal tender. One of them is the cash-strapped economy of Zimbabwe.

Travelling to the Harare we meet Edgar, a married hospital doctor who would use any extra monies to help family and patients, while Alice, a maid and working mum of four would use $100 to finish her dream.

Photo: $100 bill Credit: Shutterstock Show less

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