Try plugging some numbers into online retirement calculators and you might end up with very different answers. Tess asks Russ Wermers how to find a calculator that measure ups.
Chris and Tess talk about small businesses, retirement contribution confusion, Class A vs. Class C shares, transferring stocks and covering college debt with insurance.
The Internet has transformed the way that we buy music, much to the discontent of record labels. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Dan Kennedy, former Atlantic Records employee and author of the new book "Rock On," about why the culture of big record labels isn't friendly toward new technology.
As big homebuilders nationwide face their worst crisis in decades, the damage from the huge supply of unsold homes they built is rippling to lots of innocent bystanders. Steve Tripoli reports from a half-finished subdivision in South Carolina.
Hollywood writers are set to meet with their union's negotiators on Saturday to review a deal that may end their strike. But many writers who return to work may find themselves without a job. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
While the U.S. struggles with a slowing economy, Canada's unemployment rate is the lowest it's been in decades. Rich in commodities, the country has reaped the benefits of increased global demand. But will isolation from economic downturn last forever? Janet Babin reports.
An international panel on trade disputes has ruled against the European Union's import tariffs for bananas from Latin America. John Dimsdale reports on what the ruling means for U.S. importers like Chiquita and Dole.
Chrysler has decided to reduce the number of models sold under its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. The company also plans to reduce dealerships, which could result in costly buyouts. Jeff Tyler reports.
Companies are shorting their employees on retirement and economics editor Chris Farrell is calling them out. Chris sets the story straight on the pension system.
The president is preparing to sign a $168 billion stimulus package passed by Congress, but what effect will it have on you? Tess asks Marketplace's Nancy Marshall-Genzer.
The stimulus package is putting cash in your pocket to spend and boost the economy. But as Danielle Karson reports, some people have very different plans for the money.
A study conducted by four universities found that people who are sad will spend more than people who are happy. Nancy Marshall Genzer explores how groups were tested using emotion-inducing films and insulated water bottles.
Wal-Mart is planning to open 400 health clinics in its stores in the next two years. The clinics will partner with local health care providers and carry their namesake. Rachel Dornhelm reports the move is a profitable one.
With stars like director Martin Scorsese lending celebrity power, the Berlin Film Festival is becoming a bigger and bigger event. Doug Krizner reviews the highlights of this year's festival with Variety's Mike Speier.
Preparing for what appear to be hard times ahead, Mexican President Felipe Calderon is budgeting $25 million towards public works. Dan Grech reports Calderon also hopes not to depend on the U.S. economy.
Finance ministers from around the world will be meeting in Tokyo tomorrow for the G7 conference. But Stephen Beard reports chances are they won't be working together on just one solution to global economic crises.
With rebate checks on their way to eager taxpayers, many consumers are bound for bad spending decisions. Danielle Karson talks to credit experts about wise places to put the money.
With a possible end to the entertainment writers' strike on the horizon, movie and TV producers are hoping to make good economical choices. Stacey Vanek-Smith looks at where the industry might see a radical changeover.
Capitol Hill is holding an anti-trust hearing on the Microsoft-Yahoo deal, as Google complains about the merger's potential to create a powerful search-engine adversary. Lisa Napoli has more.
Many workers currently enrolled in a 401(k) plan don't know they could be losing money through hidden fees and conflicts of interest. Now the Labor Department has proposed some new rules for disclosure. Tess Vigeland reports.
The subprime mortgage crisis continues to wreck havoc on millions of Americans. Commentator Kevin Mims considers the possibility of foreclosing on the house of his dreams.
Last week's powerful snow storms in China derailed many travel plans for the Lunar New Year, including those of migrant workers. Kai Ryssdal talks to Scott Tong in Shanghai about how the storm exposed vulnerabilities in China's infrastructure.
U.S. and Italian police have arrested 60 people in the biggest mafia crackdown in 20 years, targeted to cut renewed ties between New York's Gambino family and Sicilian mob bosses. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports on the current state of mob activity in the U.S.
After spending millions of dollars of his own money to keep his presidential campaign going, Mitt Romney announced today he would either suspend his campaign or withdraw completely from the race. Jeremy Hobson reports on the future of Mitt Romney's career.
While the Fed cut interest rates in order to curb the economic slowdown, the European Central Bank has decided to hold its short-term rate steady at 4%. Steven Beard reports from London on how the rate will affect both U.S. and European economies.
The NBA's Phoenix Suns announced they've traded for Shaquille O'Neal. But the Suns acquisition is just a small part of how Phoenix is turning into a mecca for sports. Kai Ryssdal talks to our business of sports analyst Diana Nyad.
The latest retail figures made for a disappointing January for everyone from teen clothing vendors to Wal-Mart. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks at possible factors in the slump, including high gas prices and gift cards.
A vacant home isn't the most desirable thing on the market, so cities across the country are offering to buy empty houses to help battle foreclosure damage on the real estate market. Jeff Tyler has more.
While the Federal Reserve's cure for an economic slowdown is to cut interest rates, the European Central Bank decided today against that move. Doug Krizner talks to Stephen Beard about where the ECB is most concerned.
The credit crunch has helped make China partial owners of Wall Street banks desperate for financing, and a hearing in Washington will help figure out what China's investments mean to the U.S. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Long lines of people waiting to get documents checked at the U.S.-Mexico border is affecting businesses that once enjoyed freedom from a passport requirement. David Martin Davies reports who's affected, and how.
Last year was the second-worst for flight delays, but some claim the problem may not be with the airlines. Rachel Dornhelm reports a shortage of air traffic controllers may have added to the problem.
Aside from a weak economy, cities around the world are struggling with crumbling infrastructure. Economics correspondent Chris Farrell talks to Scott Jagow about when we might start repairing this long-neglected issue.
Though close to passing, the economic stimulus package fell short of approval in the Senate by just one vote. John Dimsdale reports what's holding the package back, including an extra $40 billion requested by Senate Democrats.
Saving for retirement can come at a cost when 401(k) plans tack on numerous charges, some of which are not so obvious. Tess Vigeland reports on those fees and the damage they can do to your golden years.
The Senate is considering whether to lengthen the six-month period in which people can collect unemployment. Commentator Robert Reich says not only should unemployment benefits be extended, they should also be reformed.
A South African tribe that owns shares in mines operated by the world's largest platinum producers is planning to use its profits to develop its community. Gretchen Wilson reports.
CBS Mobile has announced a way to advertise businesses on your cell phone that are near your location. Kai Ryssdal talks to Alice Cuneo of Ad Age magazine about it.
An appellate court has ruled that Atlanta has no legal rights to take anymore water from a federal reservoir that also supplies Alabama and Florida. The decision could seriously impact the city's growth. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The Bush administration has announced plans to overhaul the nation's agricultural guest worker program, making it easier for growers to bring foreign workers to the United States. Dan Grech reports.
BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, is looking to buy one of its competitors, Rio Tinto. So far, Rio Tinto has rejected BHP's offers. But if the deal goes through, it would be the second-biggest takeover ever. Bob Moon reports.
The number of people turning to the Internet for campaign coverage has tripled since 2000. While the Web still lags television in viewership and ad revenue, it's making some big gains as a source of political coverage. Jeremy Hobson reports.
With nine months to go before the presidential election, special-interest groups have already spent $14 million on their favorites. The spending spree is sure to continue until November. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
With a possible recession looming, Washington is mulling changes to allow federally backed lenders to take on more debt. It could help some homeowners, but is the plan too risky? Jeremy Hobson reports.
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine wants a big boost in turnpike fees to pay down the state's staggering debt. But the plan isn't too popular in a state where toll plazas are a fact of life.
Instead of donating food, one young man had a better idea: He founded a charity to teach Haitians modern fishing methods, and create an economy. Dan Grech reports on the mission of Global Fast.
The world's largest mining firm sweetens its bid to buy a rival. But China has an insatiable appetite for metals, and fears monopoly pricing. Scott Tong reports.
When the economy's good, Americans tend to act better toward their fellow citizens. But commentator Will Wilkinson says in a sliding economy, we tend to slam the gates of opportunity.
Most of the designer clothes seen during New York's Fashion Week won't hit retail racks for months. But the upscale fashion house is going online with its latest line. Lisa Napoli reports.
A new website, Predictify.com, is trying to make collective wisdom into a profitable business by allowing people to guess the outcomes of everything from elections to stock prices. Marketplace's Sean Cole reports.
The mailbox is bursting with your comments: your thoughts on the new patriotic passport, the economic stimulus package rebate checks and moving up the California primary.
At one time Netscape, one of the first Web browsers, was unparalleled in its popularity. Now it's all but forgotten and AOL's going to pull the plug on it. Lisa Napoli reports on Netscape's noteworthy history.
JetBlue announced that it would work with Kraft Foods to taste test a new reduced-fat cream cheese on some of its flights. But is it a good idea to use airline passengers as captive product testers? Jeff Tyler reports.
After generating consumer confidence in mortgage-backed securities, bond ratings agencies are considering changing the method by which they rank structured investments. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Chrysler reached a tentative deal with Plastech, a parts supplier that had filed for bankruptcy, allowing five Chrysler factories to reopen. John Dimsdale reports on what Chrysler's plans are for the future.
Activity in the U.S. service industries fell in January for the first time in five years, according to a closely watched survey by the Institute for Supply Management. Kai Ryssdal talks to senior business correspondent Bob Moon about what the report says about the economy.
The United Auto Workers is in the middle of its annual legislative conference, and as its an election year, the union is more fired up than usual. But Steve Tripoli reports UAW support doesn't come directly from funding.
While oil companies like Shell and Exxon are reporting record profits, BP is down 22 percent from the previous year. Stephen Beard reports with refining issues in the U.S., it's not entirely unexpected.
To celebrate Fat Tuesday, some bakeries are serving up an Eastern European tradition. Scott Jagow asks Sandy Bakic at the Martha Washington Bakery in Hamtramck, Michigan what exactly "paczki" is.
The economy not only affects our wallet, but our sense of style. Jill Barshay reports some designers are working with more all-purpose colors and more affordable in a new wave of recession chic.
While Disney may be disappointed with slumping theme park attendance, it can rest easier with the Hannah Montana movie racking in records at the box office. Lisa Napoli has more on the concert film "3D."
In an election year not dominated by one single polarizing figure, political books are struggling to enjoy the popularity they once did. But Ashley Milne-Tyte reports publishers still have plenty of them on their spring lists.
Natural skin care maker Burt's Bees' latest ad campaign sizes up the synthetics in rivals' products with Burt's natural ingredients. But some find these ads ironic for a company owned by Clorox. Sarah Garder reports.
Democratic Senator Kent Conrad will lead the Senate Budget Committee today in an attack against President Bush's 2009 budget. He claims the plan leaves out the cost of Iraq and other details. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Now that Berliner currywurst is in danger of being made with cheap sausage available from Eastern Europe, Berlin is seeking a trademark on its beloved sidewalk snack. Brett Neely reports.
Citigroup has given 160,000 high risk credit card customers in the U.K. one month before it will cut off their cards. Jeff Tyler reports on whether this is a trend that could begin to affect risky American consumers.
Anticipating federal limits on carbon emissions for coal-fired power plants in the near future, banks are creating guidelines for lending to utilities that would need money for penalties. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Commentator Charles Handy reflects on the philosophies of economist Peter Drucker to figure out what to do when a consumer economy starts to buy less stuff. First in an occasional series.
Going into Super Tuesday, voters are more concerned about the economy than any other issue. Many in the middle class are turning to Democrats to address their economic concerns. Jeremy Hobson reports.
After making statements that the Microsoft-Yahoo deal will stifle innovation, Google has begun talks with Yahoo to dissuade a sale. Janet Babin reports on what Google is afraid of.
Word is that talks are going well between the Writer's Guild of America and top studio executives, meaning that the strike may be near its end. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports on how the entertainment industry will return to production after such a long hiatus.
President Bush has submitted a budget proposal of $3.1 trillion, declaring that it would fund security efforts yet not present a financial burden for taxpayers. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks at the budget and reports on what Americans are getting out of it.
Google executives spent the weekend calling Yahoo and other companies to try to find an alternative to a Microsoft buyout. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports Yahoo's reaction and why Google is concerned over the deal.
We've been hearing a lot of news about the trouble with bond insurers like MBIA and Ambac. But why is bond insurance even important? Fortune Magazine's Allan Sloan debunks the mystery with Scott Jagow.
Senator John McCain is now in the position as frontrunner for the GOP. But can his stand behind Reagan-inspired, tax-cutting economics make for strong policy in 2008? Jeremy Hobson explores McCain's history.
