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

Dec 23, 2011
Advice for conservative investors
We have saved some money for a house deposit in 2-3 years. We have a 3.99% mortgage on our current place. Should we invest our down payment for our next house or should we pay off our current mortgage? We are both conservative investors. Tom, Boston, MA
Read More
Dec 22, 2011
Waiting to transfer
My wife and I are transferring our Roth IRA accounts from our current institution to a new one in order to avoid a yearly maintenance fee that has been increasing every year. After selling off the funds, my current Roth IRA institution claims the funds must "settle" for a period of 3 days. Can you please explain to me what this means and if I could demand that they skip this settling and simply send me the distribution check so I can more quickly move it to the new institution? Patrick, Sheboygan, WI
Read More
Dec 21, 2011
Taxes and budgeting go together
A budget is a good way to get control of our finances.
Read More
Dec 21, 2011
Rehabilitating student loans
My fiancée has a student loan that defaulted but is now paying on it every month. She has been told that it can't be rehabbed because of the default (even though others that have defaulted can rehab a second time). She doesn't make that much money, and she is filing bankruptcy because of various debts. She knows she can't bankrupt the student loan. What are the options other than making regular monthly payments, or not paying? Brian, Waterville, ME
Read More
Dec 20, 2011
Investing in a health savings account
For 2012, I'm switching to a high-deductible health plan and will enroll in the associated health savings account. What investment strategy do you recommend? Cash, bonds or total market? Ken, Portland, OR
Read More
Dec 19, 2011
Retirement and creative spending
We often forget how creative people are at coming up with solutions to problems. Retirement is no different. Many retirees find that they can make significant cuts in expenses without slashing their standard of living.
Read More
Dec 19, 2011
Life insurance and savings
I went to a financial advisor in hopes someone else could do more with my money. He suggested that I take full advantage of my employer's 401(k) when I am eligible (next year), but since I have been a good saver and expect an increase in income, I should consider using life insurance as a vehicle for tax-free retirement savings. I have mixed feelings about this. Christina, Atlanta, GA
Read More
Dec 16, 2011
Thinking about tax-exempt bonds
My wife and I are in our early 60s, with a son in college. We have Roths and 401(k)s. I will get a pension from the state of North Carolina when I retire in a few years — not so for my wife. What I need to know is: Is there a reason not to put so much of our savings in munis? (I would take the money out of some of our mutual funds.) I would not get munis from states with problematic economies; I would most likely get them from N.C. Also, what is the best way to purchase tax-free munis? Thanks! Stephen, Durham, NC
Read More
Dec 16, 2011
This holiday season, think outside the big box
"Buy Local" campaigns across the country have raised awareness about why it matters where we shop.
Read More
Dec 16, 2011
More Baby Boomers choosing not to migrate
Many are now realizing they'll have to work through their retirement years, which means staying in the areas where they have their career networks, instead of moving to warm states like Arizona.
Read More