Chris Farrell

Chris Farrell is economics editor of Marketplace Money, a nationally syndicated one-hour weekly personal finance show produced by American Public Media. Chris is also economics correspondent for Marketplace, the largest business program in broadcasting and chief economics correspondent for American RadioWorks, the largest producer of long-form documentaries in public radio. He is also contributing economics editor at Business Week magazine. He was host and executive editor of public television’s Right on the Money. He is the author of two books: Right on the Money: Taking Control of Your Personal Finances, and Deflation: What Happens When Prices Fall. Chris is a graduate of Stanford and the London School of Economics.

Latest from Chris Farrell

Mar 9, 2012
How the job hunt has changed in this economy
Technology has become a good way of keeping up with your networks and connections in your job search.
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Mar 8, 2012
Helping out brother with money
My problem is that my brother (in his late 20s) is super lazy and would never do any financial planning on his own. I've been trying to get him to open a Roth IRA for a while, but no chance. So now I'm thinking of starting one for him for his birthday and setting it up so a certain portion of his paycheck will transfer automatically. But there's no way he will ever be motivated/responsible enough to do his own investing. I'm not sure what strategy to follow because I don't want to do his investments for him. Is it worth hiring a professional? Do the major online trading sites (Etrade, Vanguard, ScottTrade, etc.) offer some kind of package where you just add some money and it is professionally invested for you? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you! Laura, Chicago, IL
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Mar 7, 2012
Malthus visits Wall Street
I don't think investors should fear the march of time. The specter of a baby boomer-driven stock and bond market implosion seems implausible to me largely because of the move toward market economies around the world. By the time retiring boomers are selling in earnest, markets will be even more global than they are now. There are a lot of foreigners to buy U.S. assets.
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Mar 7, 2012
Where to start
My son, who is in his mid 30s and is married with two children, has almost no reportable income. He manages an apartment complex in Los Angeles, for which he receives something like $500/month and the use of a three-bedroom apartment. He also picks up web development jobs that are usually transacted in cash. His wife has her beautician's license and provides services out of the apartment for cash or barter. I worry that they wouldn't be able to rent another apartment if they wanted or had to move from their present apartment. Do you have any suggestions on how he might begin to work on his credit rating, given his current situation? Craig, Fairbanks, AK
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Mar 7, 2012
Household investment is up
Consumer borrowing is on the rise. Here's the thing: Credit card borrowing is down. Student loans and auto loans — investment debt — is up.
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Mar 6, 2012
A sure-fire money-maker — Not!
Someone in my family plans to invest $300,000 in silver and gold (mostly silver) because he read it's the best place to make money in the next 5 years. Is that correct or is he going to ruin himself??? Please respond!!!! Jessi, Pembroke Pines, FL
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Mar 5, 2012
Keep on saving
The personal savings rate seems to have moved up to the 4 percent to 5 percent range, despite savers making 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent on their money. We're back to the range that held for much of the 1990s. Considering how harsh the last couple of years have been on so many people — from young adults seeking their first full-time job to retirees watching their pension values slide — it's doubtful that the savings habit will erode. Memories aren't that short.
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Mar 5, 2012
The best way to own TIPS
Are there any disadvantages to purchasing TIPS through something like Fidelity's Inflation Protected Bond (FINPX) for my Roth IRA? Or would it be a better idea to just purchase TIPS directly from the Treasury? Thanks, Danny, Davis, CA
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Mar 2, 2012
Spend less, save more
Tips for saving money without feeling (too much) pain.
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Mar 2, 2012
A personal finance lesson from Apple
There is an important personal finance lesson in Apple's enormous cash hoard: Savings is an anchor that allows for experimentation, risk-taking and innovation in both companies and at home.
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