More and more families, especially wealthy ones, are writing mission statements to structure how future generations manage their holdings. And wealth-management firms are getting involved. Sean Cole reports.
It may be rare, but there are companies in the U.S. that offer their employees extended time off with pay. If you don't get a sabbatical, why not ask for one? Jeff Tyler explores how.
Smart consumers know it's important to pay attention to the details. But sometimes the details are so well-hidden, you can't figure anything out. Author Bob Sullivan talks about sneaky hidden fees with Tess Vigeland.
A doula is a person who "mothers the mother," or helps them give birth. Doula Katie Wise gives physical and emotional support to women and their families — a range of things except delivering the baby.
In the first Getting Personal of the new year, host Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell tackle everything from buying a very expensive engagement ring to giving stock to another person.
More of us are finding out we either can't afford to stop working for retirement or don't really want to. So what happens next? Tess Vigeland talks to Marc Freedman, who wrote a book about working through the "second half" of life.
Just because you can't afford the house doesn't mean you can't go window shopping. Cash Peters went perusing multimillion-dollar houses for fun, and found out that he wasn't the only big dreamer.
HBO's series "The Wire" enters its fifth and final season Sunday night. Commentator Michael Schaffer says that, for a police show, it has an awfully good grasp of economics.
Some writers involved in the Hollywood writers strike are spending time away from the picket lines, raising money for people who work behind the scenes but are without jobs during the stand-off. Jeff Tyler reports.
Tax preparers and their bank partners have been making a ton of money off so-called "tax refund anticipation loans" for years. But consumer groups say these loans are a terrible idea that ought to be banned, and the IRS might be taking action. Steve Tripoli reports.
The turmoil in Kenya has subsided but it is still sending economic ripples across East Africa. Correspondent Gretchen Wilson is monitoring the situation. She spoke with host Bob Moon.
The government's report of weak job growth last month has changed the outlook of many economists. The debate today focused on whether it may be too late to head off a recession. Janet Babin reports.
Economics editor Chris Farrell wants to budget better for travel in the new year. Tess Vigeland wants to finally open an IRA with her husband. Will they follow through? Hope they're happy when they replay this in 2009…
Despite oil hitting $100 a barrel for the first time, we're not yet seeing big price spikes at the pump. Why? Tess Vigeland looks for some answers with oil analyst Barbara Shook.
Despite the current litany of bad news, the new year might not be so depressing. Tess Vigeland talks to Money Magazine's Donna Rosato about what we can expect in the new year — from the recession threat to the housing market.
The new job numbers out today from the Labor Department are much worse than economists expected. Janet Babin reports increased unemployment could weigh on consumer confidence and spending.
Between Madonna's send-off album with Warner Brothers, a buzz around U2's upcoming release and the return of Usher, the music industry is hoping for a good year. Doug Krizner talks to Billboard's Bill Werde.
To combat abusive lending practices, seven states have launched a standardized registry for mortgage brokers. Eventually, regulators nationwide will know about those who fail to register. Steve Tripoli reports.
Kenya's unrest has resulted in a temporary close of its stock market, looted stores and significantly reduced trade. Gretchen Wilson reports on the economic damage from the violence.
Yesterday's snow in Florida had many citrus growers up all night checking the temperatures of their groves. But Dan Grech reports damages might have been avoided because of winds that helped to mitigate frost.
As the presidential race takes shape, Marketplace will be taking a look at what businesses want from the next president. Danielle Karson reports energy and health care are among the top issues.
The streets of Naples, Italy are filling up with garbage thanks to the country's mafia. Rome correspondent Megan Williams tells Scott Jagow the problem is having a devastating effect on the local cheese industry.
The law firm of Slater & Gordon started selling shares on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2007, making it the first publicly traded law office in the world. Nate DiMeo reports on what that might mean for lawyers and investors.
If you follow college football, you've noticed an explosion of bowl games — some featuring teams with losing records. Our business-of-sports analyst Diana Nyad has been keeping track and shared her thoughts with Kai Ryssdal.
Two trial-lawyer associations are battling — in court, of course — over one group's right to use "trial lawyers" in its name. Commentator Jeff Birnbaum is amazed they would fight for something most people hate.
The Internet may be the deciding factor in this year's Iowa caucuses. Author Garrett Graff, who worked for Howard Dean's campaign the last time around, says this year's campaigns have taken their Web work to another level.
The Securities and Exchange Commission wants to make it easier for Americans to dabble in foreign stocks. It's mulling a proposal that would let U.S. investors trade on other countries' stock exchanges.
Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The Weather Channel's parent company, Landmark Communications, confirmed today that it's exploring a possible sale. It could conceivably be worth $5 billion. Janet Babin reports.
Ford might have found a buyer for two of its luxury European brands, Jaguar and Land Rover. The front runner is a company you might never had heard of — India's Tata Motors. Jill Barshay reports on why Ford's selling, and why Tata.
The company that started The Weather Channel is expected to put it up for sale, and many big-time companies are said to be interested. Janet Babin reports the 24-hour weather broadcaster could make a fortune.
A few supermarket chains have begun offering free prescription medications for a limited number of drugs. Matt Sepic reports in some cases, the stores actually make more money by giving the drugs away.
High-risk investors have been taking advantage of subprime by buying damaged shares. Now, regular money managers are starting to dabble, too. Sam Eaton reports so-called "bottom-feeding" can yield big returns.
To get a post-holiday sales bump after a rough season, retail chains like Wal-Mart are promoting products for Three Kings Day, a traditional post-Christmas Hispanic holiday. Dan Grech reports.
As the Iowa caucuses come to a close tonight, all presidential candidates have the corn-based fuel ethanol on their plate. But not everyone in the corn-heavy state is on board. John Dimsdale reports.
As Americans back away from banks and financial institutions, foreign investors are stepping in. But the leverage these shareholders can have in U.S. boardrooms is a politically-charged issue. Janet Babin reports.
Online ratings are important for hotels to factor in if they want to stay on top of their game, according to consumer experts. Lenora Chu explores how ranks and reviews from customers can affect these businesses overall.
Cities and states price out how much money they can make on new property developments. But what if that land was left alone? There may be a cash incentive to leaving nature untouched. Janet Babin reports.
With the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and subsequent violence in Pakistan, the Karachi stock exchange has taken a dive and businesses are suffering. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Pakistani-American businessman Dilawar Syed about the situation.
Kenya had been one of the most stable countries in East Africa, but riots and killings after disputed elections may threaten tourism, as well as aid and supply shipments to the region. Jeff Tyler reports.
Sometimes innovators have to turn to private funding to get things done. Kai Ryssdal talks with Craig Venter about how he funded research into the human genome.
Chronic disease is a major drag on health care. But commentator Susan Lee says tweaks to the way these diseases are treated could take some pressure off of the health-care system.
The federal government is going to take a little longer to review a proposed buy-out of 3Com, the computer network company, that would give a 15% stake to a Chinese company. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The price of oil briefly reached $100 a barrel today. Steve Tripoli reports on whether high prices are here for a while. And if so, what they might mean.
The Hill of Tara, northwest of Dublin, has a great deal of archaeological and religious significance. Now, the Irish government wants to build a four-lane highway near it. Stephen Beard reports many are protesting.
The cost of flights are dropping with demand, and carriers like Skybus and JetBlue are offering very cheap deals. Janet Babin reports these carriers compensate for their losses by charging in other areas.
When NAFTA took effect in 1994, Mexican sugar farmers were given until early 2008 to modernize their equipment so they could compete with the U.S. But Dan Grech reports some farmers still work the old-fashioned way.
Congress must decide whether the temporary Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act should be renewed with protections for telecom companies. Civil liberties groups are fighting the measure. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
While the film and TV writers' strike is in its ninth week, the Directors Guild is gearing up to do their own contract negotiations. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports what happens in these talks could affect the writers.
The Hill of Tara, northwest of Dublin, has a great deal of archaeological and religious significance. Now, the Irish government wants to build a four-lane highway near it. Stephen Beard reports many are protesting.
With the presidential hopefuls hanging around to do the caucuses in Des Moines, Iowa, reporters and campaign staff have flooded the city with business. Jeremy Hobson reports it's a shot in the arm for the local economy.
Despite slow job growth due to trouble in the housing, credit and stock markets, experts say the job market is doing all right. Bob Moon takes a look at where demand for employment is strongest right now.
If you had to wait for a service over the holiday, you probably had someone say "Thank you for your patience." Commentator Robert Reich says we should stop being thanked and start billing them for our time.
Rene Marie, a former bank teller, has been living her dream by performing as a jazz singer. Her earnings aren't as steady as those she enjoyed from the bank, but she says that's the price of freedom. Jo Giese reports.
When you get together with your friends, do you share your financial situations? Commentator Shira Boss says a lot of us would profit from talking about our money issues.
The television industry is in limbo with no new talks scheduled to settle the Writers Guild strike. Host Tess Vigeland talks with Los Angeles Times television reporter Scott Collins about what will be on the tube in the next few months.
Hurricane Katrina was one of the biggest lessons in being financially ready for the worst. Sam Eaton visited New Orleans for the second anniversary back in August. He found three lifelong residents who returned after the storm with a newfound sense of how to prepare for the next one.
Based on her reporting on investment clubs this past year, host Tess Vigeland has resolved to join one herself in 2008. She shares some of her experiences with the members of a Virginia club called Formerly Baroque.
There were plenty of downward spirals, busts and crunches in the 2007 economy, but investment in clean energy took off with plenty of big players getting involved. Sam Eaton reports.
The state of New York is the first to enact an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, requiring that passengers have certain needs fulfilled if they have to wait on the tarmac. Jill Barshay reports some airlines are protesting the measure.
New rules are giving Chinese employees something most Americans take for granted: paid days off. Scott Tong reports this is especially good for encouraging spending, as Chinese workers save too much.
With landfill space at a premium, a group of scientists think they have a solution: a machine that turns trash into small pellets and fuel. But is it practical? Janet Babin explores the debate over plasma gasification
From more fluid ways to transfer media from platform to platform to unexpected new uses of the GPS, new technology will be bustling in the new year. Lisa Napoli takes a sneak peak at what's coming up.
Once almost completely isolated from the outside world, the country of Bhutan has made great strides in the past few years to develop its economy. Lisa Napoli explored their young but ambitious stock market.
One of the nation's harshest anti-immigration laws goes into effect today in Arizona. If a company knowingly hires undocumented workers, it could lose its business license. Dan Grech reports.
There are a growing number of so-called "prediction markets," where investors can buy shares in political candidates. If the candidate wins, so does the investor. Marketplace's Jeff Tyler reports.
The Chinese government is ringing in the New Year by ringing up new taxes on grain exports. Bob Moon reports on what the tax means for global food costs.
China has become a manufacturing powerhouse, but when it comes to producing management talent it still relies on imports from the United States. Bill Marcus reports.
Apple's iPhone is at the top of almost everyone's Gadgets of the Year list. Marketplace's Lisa Napoli and host Kai Ryssdal discuss its impact in their look back at the year of the phone.
In Arizona an estimated 1 in 10 workers is undocumented — double the national average. It's also the reason the nation's toughest demand-side immigration law will go into effect there Jan. 1. The law could become a national model, if the state doesn't go bankrupt first. Dan Grech reports.
As the falling ball lights Times Square tonight, the lights will effectively be going out at the Federal Election Commission. The FEC is going to start the New Year with only two commissioners, and six are needed to stop candidates from bending the rules. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The new owner of record label EMI, private-equity firm Terra Firma, reportedly has decided to clamp down on costs and control time-honored, recording-industry practices that haven't always been tied to company goals. Amy Scott reports.
Although the word "subprime" could be found in the dictionary, it wasn't a part of common lexicon until this year. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Joe Pickett, executive editor of the American Heritage Dictionary, about business terms that came into their own in 2007.
Smaller nonprofits like food banks and shelters struggled for donations in 2007, but wealthier organizations like museums and universities had a great year. Janet Babin looks into why.
The football team at the University of Hawaii is playing its biggest game ever, and winning could offer big rewards to the school. Andrea Gardner reports the pay-offs go beyond the cash.
Cheap labor may become a rarer commodity in China, thanks to a new law requiring workers to have written contracts. Scott Tong looks at the new job security for laborers and what it will cost employers.
Several websites have popped up that allow people to swap the $26 billion worth of gift cards sold this holiday season. But Sam Eaton reports there are few guarantees and you can't always tell what you're getting.
Existing home sales numbers are projected to come up slightly from sharp lows. Steve Tripoli reports more downward price pressure is expected ahead for the new year — so if you're selling a home, sell low.
