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U.S. Treasury yield hits 60 year low
Stacey Vanek Smith May 31, 2012
As investors cope with uncertainty in Europe, the interest on the 10-year Treasury note, the benchmark cost of U.S. debt, hit a record low of 1.6 percent.
Financial innovation and social lending
Chris Farrell Apr 16, 2012
Peer-to-peer lending, also called social lending, is bringing together online individual lenders and individual borrowers for a fee. They cut out banks and other mainstream lenders. The innovation appears to be working.
Letters: Taxes!
Tess Vigeland Apr 13, 2012
Host Tess Vigeland along with Sr. Producer Paddy Hirsch and tax expert Louis Barajas answer listener tax questions and emails.
Demystifying the national debt
Kai Ryssdal Apr 10, 2012
The U.S. national debt -- currently clocked at $15.6 trillion -- is a major issue that'll shape the election this fall. But where did it come from and what does it mean for individual Americans? A new book uncovers the numbers.
In the spotlight: Senior student debt
Amy Scott Apr 6, 2012
People age 60 and older owe more than $36 billion in student loans. Tess discusses the latest debt bubble with Marketplace Education correspondent Amy Scott.
Taxes and a home equity loan
Chris Farrell Mar 28, 2012
Hello. I'm 50 and single. I have a 15-year mortgage at 3.5 percent. My income is more than $80,000. I have a Roth and I am maximizing my company's 403(b) account. I have no credit card debt -- no debt in general except the mortgage, so I don't have a lot of write-offs. Does it make sense to get an equity loan and finish my basement so I can get a bigger write-off on taxes while investing in my home, or should I continue to just sock money away because it is better to not have debt? Thanks. Lisa, Salt Lake City, UT
Finding ongoing debt management advice
Chris Farrell Mar 27, 2012
Is it possible to find free/sliding scale ongoing debt counseling? A friend in Louisiana is in her 60s and facing the consequences of years of terrible financial decisions. I think she's beyond the point where one session of debt counseling could help her. I've seen patterns in her that I've seen in others who grew up poor: When they were young, they learned there was no way to ever catch up financially and be in control. So she has no sense that it is possible to be in control of her money. Thank you, Robin, Boston, MA
A possible change for bankruptcy and student loans
Stacey Vanek Smith Mar 21, 2012
Current laws make it very hard for student loans to be forgiven. There's a proposal now in Congress that would change that.
Go North, young man!
Ann Carrns Mar 22, 2012
The promise of steady work is attracting workers of all ages to Williston, N.D., and creating a new boom town on America's energy frontier.
20-somethings average $45,000 in debt
Stacey Vanek Smith Mar 20, 2012
Student loans, credit cards, car loans, and mortgages weigh on Generation Y. What does the mounting debt for these young adults mean for the economy?
