Curious about all those papers you signed along with your mortgage? One may be more sinister than the legalese made it out to be. Tess asks Scott Wilson about title insurance.
Another Valentine's Day, another scramble to find an open table for your romantic evening. Ever score the perfect reservation for the 14th? Cash Peters did. Well, he tried…
Next up in the government's list of plans to curb the mortgage crisis: this week's "Project Lifeline," a major foreclosure freeze. Tess asks Gary Painter if it will make a difference.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about changing insurance beneficiaries, not filing a tax return, deducting business expenses, life insurance and quitclaim deeds.
Los Angeles' new Broad Contemporary Art Museum, funded by real-estate baron Eli Broad, will house his immense collection. But he's only lending his art. Andrea Gardner reports on how this unusual arrangement might set a trend.
On his current trip to Africa, President Bush is scheduled to address the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, a new facility said to be for peacekeeping and anti-terrorism training. But many worry it's part of a plan to control the continent's oil resources. Gretchen Wilson reports.
Foreclosures, now at record levels, could go even higher as a wave of adjustable rate mortgages reset to higher interest rates in the next 18 months. Mhari Saito has a story of a family teetering on the leading edge of that wave.
Four major U.S. newspaper chains are combining efforts on a network they hope will attract online advertisers seeking to book national campaigns. Dan Grech reports on this latest attempt to keep newspapers competitive.
Investors' concerns with the credit crunch are showing up in auction-rate securities, which raise money for everything from roads and bridges to hospitals and museums. Marketplace's Bob Moon explains how these investments work and why we should be concerned.
A monthly survey shows consumers are more pessimistic about the economy than they've been in 16 years, as fears of recession and job cuts grow. John Dimsdale reports on how psychology is affecting the economy.
After more than three months on the picket lines, writers are back on the job in Hollywood. Stacey Vanek Smith asks how they managed 15 weeks without a paycheck.
Life is hard enough without having to decipher everything. This week, make your list of doctors and check it twice or else you might end up "out-of-network."
With Hollywood's writers back on the job, we turn an eye to entertainment and learn about an actor's day on the set with Tobias Truvillion of "One Life to Live."
The rates for millions of adjustable mortgages are set to skyrocket this year. How can you keep clear of the ARM reset landslide — or dig yourself out? Bob Moon has some ideas.
The largest collection of silent movies in the world is up for sale. The films include works with Buster Keaton and other big era stars, and Stacey Vanek-Smith reports archives and universities will pay plenty for it.
Four of the top media firms in the country are uniting behind an online ad company that reaches one-fifth of the U.S. population. Janet Babin reports on the publishers' stuggle to compete with new media.
With toy safety a big concern over the past year, consumers at the upcoming toy fair in New York will be on the lookout for toys made without vinyl. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports who is responding to concerns.
Music sales have bumped up since the days the Grammys aired. Doug Krizner talks to Billboard's Bill Werde about which acts used the awards to their advantage influencing the charts and which could have hit harder.
A dental office in Athens, Georgia is using porta-potties as a way to conserve water during the drought. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports the patients aren't forced to use them, and many are responding well to the idea.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have tentatively agreed to settle charges of price-fixing. Stephen Beard reports customers who flew between the U.S. and the U.K. over a certain time period are eligible for a $20 refund.
China's pollution is making some athletes shorten their stays at the Olympics or avoid them altogether. Scott Jagow talks to business of sports commentator Diana Nyad about risk to health and China's image.
In a time when blogs and social networking sites make it easier than ever to disclose yourself on the Internet, many people worry about losing their privacy. But commentator Ben Casnocha says there are many benefits to a transparent society.
President Bush is set for a tour next week of Africa, where he could see what some experts are calling an agricultural revival. Kai Ryssdal talks with author G. Pascal Zachary about trade initiatives that have led to some success.
High-end fashion knock-offs are easy to find in any city. Now designers want to put a wrinkle into that copycat industry. Jeremy Hobson reports on possible patents for haute couture.
A new survey says professional money managers are the most risk-averse they've been since 2001. Jill Barshay reports on how managers afraid of stock and bond risks are now investing in cash.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told the Senate Banking committee today he expects a year of slow-to-moderate growth. Then he said many unknown factors could stifle that growth. Kai Ryssdal has more.
Upset with the lack of action towards the housing crisis, the National Association of Home Builders said it would not be contributing money to elections this year. Jeremy Hobson reports on the power of money in politics.
Amidst the line-up of financial leaders testifying in Congress today over the economy of the markets, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer will talk bond insurance. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports insurers' credit ratings may be in danger.
Having the second-largest car market in the world, China has also been charging higher tariffs on imports of car parts from abroad. The World Trade Organization has condemned this as protectionist. Stephen Beard reports.
In looking for ways to fend off Microsoft, Yahoo has begun talking to Rupert Murdoch. Doug Krizner talks to Marketplace's Lisa Napoli about whether a Murdoch partnership is feasible, and why Yahoo's founder objects to a Microsoft takeover.
West Africa supplies much of the cocoa used by the major chocolate companies, and the region is also known for using child labor. Gretchen Wilson reports measures the U.S. and chocolate industry are taking to free child cocoa workers.
With so many foreclosures across the country, it's only natural that many foreclosure auctions will follow. Scott Jagow talks to Sean O'Toole of ForeclosureRadar.com about how these auctions work, and who's buying.
Congress is looking at legislation that would change bankruptcy regulations to make it easier for people to hold onto their homes. But Stacey Vanek-Smith reports the government might not help the people in the most trouble.
New rules allow citizens to track congressional spending easier with a database of this year's earmarks. But the data isn't easy to get to. If you want it, you have to go directly to Capitol Hill. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
With Valentine's Day around the corner, many television ads are telling men to buy diamonds for that special someone. But Caitlan Carroll reports that not all girls will swoon at a gift of expensive jewelry.
Although attacking lobbyists is a tactic for all the presidential candidates this year, commentator Brian Pallasch says lobbying is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, and lobbyists are actually an important part of the public-policy process.
As food prices rise around the world, a number of food-importing countries are lowering tariffs and food-exporting countries are raising them. Kai Ryssdal talks to Homi Kharas from the Brookings Institution about tariffs' benefits and drawbacks.
A boom in virtual real estate has caused generic domain names like Vodka.com to be worth millions of dollars. Even private equity firms have been injecting money into domain name companies. Lisa Napoli reports on what caused the growth and how long it could last.
A bipartisan bill has been brought to Congress that would give the Federal Communications Commission more authority to ensure Internet service providers don't alter free and equal access to the Web. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Nanotechnology researchers are developing a new power-producing T-shirt, which will generate electricity as you wear it. Janet Babin reports on what it takes to make a power shirt for that power suit.
Despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to bring interest rates down, many credit card users are finding their rates and fees have gone up. Many banks have become reluctant to lower interest rates because of delinquent payers and mortgage defaults. John Dimsdale reports.
The Commerce Department reported a 0.3% increase in retail sales for January, causing some celebration among stock market traders. A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals they may not be worth celebrating. Bob Moon reports.
A report lists high unemployment and the busted housing bubble as causes for the rise in foreclosures last year. Janet Babin reports the number of foreclosures is expected to affect the economy into 2009.
As trade between China and countries on the African continent continues to grow, the issue of race comes more to the forefront. Bill Marcus reports on the discrimination black people face working in China.
European officials are proposing new airport security measures that would require the E.U.'s foreign visitors to have their fingerprints scanned into a database. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports tourists might balk at the idea.
British-based online gaming company 888's profits rose sharply after it was booted from the American market, and the company boss is now happy the U.S. banned Internet betting. Stephen Beard reports 888 expects success to continue.
The move to digital TV is about a year away, and consumer groups are worried that people might be tricked into buying pricey new TVs to accommodate the transition. Lisa Napoli reports it's not hard for most households to prepare.
Director Steven Spielberg is withdrawing from his work in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing over China's policies and actions in Sudan. Bill Marcus reports.
Microsoft versus Google looms as a great corporate battle this year. But commentator Robert Reich says the real power players in the deal are the armies of lobbyists and lawyers Google and Microsoft have in Washington.
More than ever, grocery stores are filled with processed foods that advertise nutrient values and health benefits. Commentator Michael Pollan, author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," says the healthiest foods are still to be found in the produce section.
The Federal Reserve injected another $30 billion in short-term loans into the banking system. The Fed hopes the money will keep banks lending and combat the looming credit crunch. Kai Ryssdal talks to Jill Barshay about how long the credit crunch may last and who's most affected.
Small bookshops are part of the culture in France, but their existence has been threatened by Amazon. A court sided with them in a lawsuit last year, but the online bookseller is not giving up the fight. Anita Elash reports.
Starbucks will be closing the doors for a few hours at 7,000 of its stores on Feb. 26. The company will use the time for a major training effort to refocus employees on customer service. Kai Ryssdal talks to Morningstar analyst John Owens.
At the height of the real estate boom, websites like Zillow and Trulia that displayed home values became huge. Now that the market is falling rapidly, investors are turning to them even more. Stacy Vanek-Smith reports.
The Bush administration and six major mortgage lenders have unveiled "Project Lifeline," the latest response to the ongoing turmoil in the housing market. The plan could freeze foreclosures for as much as one month for seriously troubled homeowners. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Just in time for Valentines Day, activists and jewelry retailers are stepping up a campaign to discourage the mining and sale of "dirty gold." Their first target: a proposed gold mine in Alaska. Sarah Gardner reports.
Warren Buffett has offered to reinsure $800 billion in municipal bonds to help struggling bond insurers hampered by fallout from the credit crunch. The deal would likely allow the municipal bonds to receive a AAA rating. Dan Grech reports.
While General Motors lost more money in 2007 than any car company in any year, it made a substantial gain to its core automotive business. Janet Babin reports the bright spot could be due to the company's turnaround plan.
The weakened euro is helping a once-punishing duty on American garments become less of a barrier in Europe. Rob Schmitz has more on how the U.S. clothing industry is benefitting from the shift in currency value.
Heavier taxes on foreign-born residents in London are threatening an exodus of thousands of workers. Stephen Beard reports this might damage the city's role as a global trading center.
The commercial radio industry has been mulling over how to make more money from its advertising in the big push to the Web — even when 90 percent of the population still listens. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports the election may help.
Last week, Marketplace ran a story on a high-end men's clothing designer bringing down a $300 shirt to under $200. Doug Krizner spoke to listener Britt Davis in North Carolina about what he's budgeting for clothes this year.
Last year's ethanol push made corn a hot commodity. Now, overseas demand for a certain kind of American wheat could make it the new star on the grains market. Shawn Allee reports it's also cheaper to produce.
Regulators in Washington want to take a closer look at the investments of foreign sovereign wealth funds into U.S. banks. Jill Barshay reports funds usually invest in doses which narrowly avoid the need for regulatory approval.
Author Alex Frankel wanted to find out what life was like on the other side of the counter. He talks to Scott Jagow about his book, where he shares his experience of joining the working culture of Starbucks, UPS, the Gap and more.
British Parliament member Derek Conway has been suspended for misusing public funds after he paid his son over $80,000 for work he did not do. The scandal has led to demands for transparency to fight what some consider is a tradition of corruption in Parliament. Steven Beard reports.
Commentator Charles Handy reflects on his experience with the second-rate U.S. rail system when he tried to take a trip on the train. Second in a series.
The Bush Administration will likely finalize its stimulus package this week, allowing rebate checks to be sent out by May. What will you do with the money? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports on how those who save might be hurting the economy.
Tech companies are now joining scores of American businesses trying to sell environmentally aware products. Kai Ryssdal talks with Kevin Periera of G4 about some gadgets that might make the thoughtful consumer green with envy.
Officials in Russia have agreed to forgive more than $12 billion in debt owed by Iraq in exchange for oil-drilling rights in part of the country. John Dimsdale reports on how the deal affects Russia's infrastructure and what it means for American interests.
Venezuela has begun moving oil revenues into Swiss banks to avoid a possible seizure of funds by Exxon Mobil. The move creates a new chapter in the legal fight between Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and one of America's biggest companies. Dan Grech reports.
Yahoo has formally rejected the Microsoft takeover offer of $44.6 billion, saying it was too low and it could find a better deal elsewhere. Kai Ryssdal talks to New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin about Microsoft's next move.
The humble banana is the subject of the longest-running WTO trade dispute and shaped the politics of many nations in Central and South America. Doug Krizner talks with author Dan Koeppel about his chronicle of the fruit's history.
The months-long writers' strike appears to be at an end, and some "show runners" are already planning for more episodes — and fast. Mike Speier of Variety says that in Hollywood, the bottom line is always money.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is encouraging investment in the region to the north. It's safer and less violent, but some worry it will encourage the Kurds to pull away from Baghdad. Jeremy Hobson reports.
A new estimate predicts a $400-billion hit in subprime write-offs. But Jurgen Hambrecht says if banks simply worked the way European manufacturers did, there would be little cause to worry. Stephen Beard reports.
Part of the stimulus package will allow Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae to back much bigger home loans. Fortune Magazine's Allan Sloan says the federal government should keep a closer eye on lenders who would benefit the most.
The Yahoo! board is poised to reject a hostile takeover bid from the software giant. But Microsoft's chief has vowed to do whatever it takes to buy the Web's most popular destination. Scott Jagow talks with Lisa Napoli.
Think twice before calling in sick after the Super Bowl next year — some proposed changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act will give employers more clout. Sarah Gardner reports.
