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Time to attack credit card debts
Chris Farrell May 31, 2012
I received a large bonus, and I'm going to use it all to pay down credit card debt. I have many cards. They all have about the same outstanding balances and about the same interest rates. At one time, most of the cards were "maxed out," which was bad for my credit score. Should I pay off a couple cards entirely, or should I make larger-than-usual payments to all of them, bringing down the outstanding balances substantially below the credit limits? Thanks. Henry, Chicago, IL
Why I wouldn't tap retirement savings to retire student loans
Chris Farrell May 30, 2012
I returned to graduate school and accrued about $45,000 in federal student loans. The interest rate on these 10-year loans is 6 percent, with repayment beginning in 2013. I also have a 401(k) worth about $100,000 (roughly $60,000 of my contributions and $40,000 of employer contributions). I realize that an early 401(k) withdrawal would result in a 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty and that any withdrawal would be considered taxable income. This would effectively reduce the amount the 401(k) would need to earn in order to be the better investment. Still, it can't be much less than 6 percent, can it? Is there anything about my assumptions that are wrong, or is there anything I am overlooking? Derek, Chicago, IL
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.
Bad news for older workers
Sarah Gardner May 16, 2012
The Government Accountability Office says the number of long-term unemployed 55 and older has more than doubled since the recession began back in 2007. That's bad news for the economy and children of retirees.
Is higher education a right?
Tess Vigeland May 24, 2012
The value of outstanding student loans in America just past the $1 trillion mark, we sat down with economists Robert Reich and Neal McCluskey to discuss America's newest crisis.
More elderly Americans living poor
Chris Farrell Apr 25, 2012
The poverty rate among older Americans is up, with the highest rate among the "oldest old."
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.
