-Breaking Bad Economy-

Article: How Walt made $80 million

Author: Chris Isidore  

Date of article: September 27, 2013: 5:24 PM

News Source: CNN Money

                This article explores the economics behind the meth system in context of the best show over, Breaking Bad. Now, as a huge fan of the show, not so much of meth, I was excited to read this article. For those people who live under a rock, Breaking Bad is a 5 season long series on AMC which follows a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, on his slippery slope of cooking meth to support his family after he is diagnosed with lung cancer. We never actually get real numbers of his profits, just that they are big, until the last season.

                In the last season, we discover that Walt made a total of $80 million in profits off the meth scheme. This article ponders on how this was possible. In the episode "Hazard Pay," Walt sells a 50 pound batch of his high quality blue meth for $1,379,560. After doing the math, that comes out to about $60 per gram which, according to this article, "is not at all unreasonable, especially for meth of a very high quality."It goes on to say "The price of meth varies wildly from one part of the country to another and from one time a year to another, depending on supplies. It can go from $50 a gram to $150 a gram. It makes oil prices look stable."

                With that in mind, I began thinking about the factors of production that were needed to supply this drug ring. First land; as far as land goes, Walt and his partner Jesse, use various facilities to cook, one being homes that were closed during a bug infestation extermination. Next we need labor; again labor is basically Walter and Jesse, although throughout the season minor people come and go. Capital; of course all the equipment they need for the lab, the methylamine they stole, and the sheer man power to drive this operation. And last but not least, entrepreneurship; which goes all to mister Walter White himself.

                As I look back on all five seasons of one of my favorite shows, and hours of my life dedicated to this phenomenal piece of art, I can’t help but frown a little when I know today, the last episode, the series finale, will air at 7 pm. But if ever I need to deal meth to support my family after my death, I will remember Walt’s economic techniques.