Are these rising gas prices a crisis, or are they really a blessing in disguise? Economist and commentator Justin Wolfers says we're being compensated for these higher gas prices — we just don't realize it.
Higher gasoline prices are making it tougher for gas stations, pinched between higher costs and tougher competition. They're also getting it harder by credit card fees. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
A government study is predicting that floods, droughts and severe storms are likely to ravage North America more often. It blames emissions of planet-warming gases. Host Bob Moon talks with risk management expert Robert Hoyt about the findings.
Federal and state money for maintaining roads and bridges is getting harder to come by — especially in the current economy. So governments are selling such infrastructure — even to foreign firms. Jill Barshay reports.
After massive protests in South Korea over the quality of American beef, the nation's president has apologized for mishandling the issue and trade negotiators appear close to a new trade deal. Dan Grech reports.
Beijing has lifted some subsidies on domestic fuel on the theory that such a move would cut demand and allow global prices to ease off. But you know what happens when you assume anything about oil prices. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Host Tess Vigeland reads listener comments on a few of our recent stories. This week: A kinder way to deal with a snake, a happy couple where the wife earns more and a movie theater run by the airlines.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about buying a house with cash, consolidating student loans, taking on new credit card debt and transfering a Roth IRA.
We're taking you back to the basics with our summer refresher course on finance terms. Today, a foreign figure that means a lot here at home. Learn about the LIBOR.
Kiplinger's John Ventura returns to bring us up to speed on living trusts. Host Tess Vigeland asks how a trust is different than a will and what you need to do to establish one.
We present another take on the tough business of planning for the end. This week, we hear from funeral director Justin Zabor of the Zabor Funeral Home in Cleveland.
Did you know that if you borrow from your Social Security early and pay it back later, the government will call things even? Bob Moon reports on an option that almost sounds too good to be true.
Host Tess Vigeland returns to the Crow River Investment Club in St. Michael, Minn., where "diversification" is the buzzword for surviving the shaky economy.
Arrests and indictments from the subprime mess are in the news, but how did regulators allow things to get so bad? Economics editor Chris Farrell sets the story straight on this week's government crackdown.
The government established the Hope Now program to help ease the housing crisis, but some homeowners have been left hoping someone will answer their call. Jill Barshay reports.
As oil prices continue on their rollercoaster ride, we keep feeling the sting at the gas station. Host Tess Vigeland asks energy expert Severin Borenstein to explain how the price of oil relates to the price at the pump.
Southwest Airlines has been able to stay competitive with the help of billions of dollars in fuel hedges that allow the company to pay less per gallon. Janet Babin reports the carrier may also soon add new destinations.
Major League Baseball has seen its viewership declining over the last 10 years or so, but MLB commissioner Bud Selig hopes instant replays will help turn heads. Renita Jablonski talks to sports writer Donnell Alexander.
Advocates of dark skies want the government to do something about light pollution at night. Janet Babin looks into who gets most annoyed by street lamps and what they're doing to help prevent a yellow haze.
Mississippi floodwaters have forced tens of thousands of people in Midwest towns from their homes. Now the housing industry is looking ahead to the business of reconstruction. Jeff Tyler reports.
The Chinese government raised the base price of fuel by 18 percent, the first price hike in seven months. Tess Vigeland talks to Shanghai reporter Bill Marcus about the hike and the country's fuel subsidies to its citizens.
Former UBS employee Bradley Birkenfeld has pleaded guilty to a charge of helping a client dodge taxes, and says he will tell the U.S. everything he knows about the bank. Stephen Beard tells us more about what fraudulent behavior went on.
With Bear Stearns hedge fund managers facing charges of fraud, could other mortgage-backed securities with Wall Street connections be next? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports more criminal charges could be on the way.
Some school districts are reconsidering their typical five-day roster in order to save a few bucks. Alisa Roth covers one school cutting back an entire day of classes — which could amount to six-figure savings.
Baristas around the world are putting extra designs into the foam atop their lattes and cappuccinos to differentiate their shops from the coffee-house chains. Stuart Cohen visited a competition where designs in coffee and steamed milk were served up by the cup.
A revamped FISA law could shield them from liability could shield U.S. phone companies from lawsuits they face for participating in a warrantless wiretapping program. Host Bob Moon talks with New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau about the bill's chances of passing.
The rekindling of the storied Lakers-Celtics rivalry was supposed to save the NBA's sagging television ratings. Host Bob Moon asks ESPN's Henry Abbott if the series turned out to be a slam dunk for the league.
As banks tighten requirements for loans, many small business owners are relying on credit cards for capital, prompting card providers to offer up special business accounts. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Senator Barack Obama has opted against receiving federal public financing for the general election, allowing him the freedom to spend whatever he can raise and prompting some controversy. Steve Henn reports.
Two Bear Stearns hedge fund managers have been charged with fraud for allegedly lying to investors about problems within the bank prior to its billion-dollar collapse. What effect will their arrests have on Wall Street's credibility? Jill Barshay reports.
With food becoming more expensive, people are reconsidering their food choices at the grocery store — and what they buy could end up being healthier in the long run. Janet Babin reports.
A growing number of citizen groups from small towns are organizing against bottled water companies pumping locally. Sarah Gardner reports on a New Hampshire town's concerns over the tapping of its groundwater reserves.
British labor unions are threatening to strike over the escalating cost of energy. The latest estimates suggest household energy bills in Britain will soar this winter. Stephen Beard has more on what unions might be planning.
From disappearing to experiencing sexual assault, many vacationers don't realize the potential dangers one can face on a cruise ship. One group is asking the Senate to beef up cruise security. Jeremy Hobson reports.
China's government has relaxed some of its rules by allowing non-governmental organizations to help with earthquake relief efforts. But these NGOs are still working within some limiting regulations. Lisa Chow reports.
A large portion of federally-subsidized rental units will be in jeopardy in the next five years once Section 8 housing contracts expire. Sarah Gardner reports the average post-Section 8 rent hike is between 20% and 40%.
The Government Accountability Office has urged the Air Force to do a deal with Airbus to build the next generation of airborne fuel tankers. But there's still room for Boeing to compete in Congress. Steve Henn reports.
Rare metals are the latest tool being used to increase airplanes' fuel economy. Host Bob Moon talks with Financial Times reporter Javier Blas about how demand for these rare commodities has pushed prices sky high.
President Bush says the Senate should repeal the moratorium on offshore oil drilling to help bring down gas prices. Senate Democrats call the move a campaign ploy and not a long-term solution. John Dimsdale reports.
People used to live in fear of organized crime in Sicily, but a new government crackdown on Mafia-run businesses has co-ops reaping the benefits. Megan Williams reports from Italy.
Commentator Robert Reich says while speculation is driving commodity markets up, the blame rests with the government and regulators who haven't taken the proper steps to reign them in.
To cope with high fuel prices, some European companies have begun sharing space on their trucks, sometimes with their fiercest rivals. Stephen Beard has the story.
Tough economic times have many seeing red — and not just in their wallets. Jeremy Hobson reports on another economic indicator that's on a lot of people's lips.
Morgan Stanley is the latest investment bank to report big earnings losses. Host Bob Moon asks Standard & Poor's Chief Economist David Wyss what its news means for the economy.
DreamWorks may join forces with India's Reliance ADA Group. The merger would mean about $500 million in equity for Steven Spielberg's studio. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Lipitor is the world's best-selling drug, but Pfizer, the maker of the cholesterol medication, has a strong patent protecting it against generics. A new agreement will change that in a few years. Janet Babin reports.
Midwest floods and persistent rains have washed away some corn crops, pushing prices to record highs. Jeff Tyler looks into how much ethanol has been affected and who might be hurt the most at the bottom line.
About a month after John Stumpf took the top spot at Wells Fargo the company stopped giving mortgages to people with bad credit. In our latest Conversations From the Corner Office, Kai Ryssdal gets his thoughts on how the mortgage meltdown will play out.
A survey of North American manufacturing execs found they're optimistic U.S. companies can make gains against international competitors. John Dimsdale reports on the factors that may now be in American manufacturers' favor.
The agency that regulates oil trading in the United States wants to impose its rules on the oil market in London to reduce wild speculation. Marketplace's Stephen Beard talks with host Scott Jagow about whether the action can succeed.
It's hard not to have a credit card or rely on loans these days, and some critics don't like our reliance on them. But commentator Will Wilkinson says saving and borrowing is part of transferring from one stage of life to another.
Abu Dhabi and Greensburg, Kansas may not seem to have a lot in common, but both cities are spearheading green development projects. Sarah Gardner reports on their separate plans for a similar goal.
One person's trash is another's treasure in China where the salvage of raw materials from the rubble of last month's earthquake is becoming an industry. Lisa Chow reports.
Production on movies and television has again slowed to a virtual halt under the threat of an actors strike. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Variety reporter Joe Adalian about the stakes this time.
A Brazilian oil company that once bartered poultry for oil is now the sixth-largest corporation in the world — and has set its sights on the U.S. market. Dan Grech reports on the company's rise.
We grow enough food for everyone, but livestock are devouring our food supply. Commentator and bioethicist Peter Singer says unless we change, the dinner plate of the future will look far different.
It's got a big name — bapineuzumab — but a new Alzheimer's drug could also have a big payoff. With projections in the billions, it could be the highest grossing drug in history. Janet Babin reports.
Analysts are divided on whether more oil from Saudi Arabia will ease the pressure on prices or just introduce more chaos into the market. Bob Moon reports.
A new drug called bapineuzumab has potential to be a strong weapon against Alzheimer's disease. While risks are still being assessed, drug sales could hit $3 billion if the final trial goes well. Janet Babin reports.
Goldman Sachs is close to clinching a deal involving $7 billion of complex asset-backed securities in hopes of making leeway against the credit crunch. Stephen Beard compares the deal to a sausage.
The rise of the euro has meant trouble for the European luxury goods market. Expensive wine and cheese has become even more expensive to import into the U.S. Dan Grech goes into specifics of the pricing conundrum.
Some principles of economics can be applied to businesses that aren't legal. Commentator and author Dan Ariely tells us what he's learned about behavioral economics from his pen-pal in the illegal downloading business.
With the price of gold up, the thought of pawning your mother's old jewelry might seem more appealing. Jaime Bedrin made an attempt to sell of a necklace laying around to see what it could fetch — and wasn't entirely impressed.
With just two sitting commissioners on the FEC, decisions can't be reached on campaign finance laws. So the Senate is working towards approving new ones. Steve Henn reports the new group will have a lot of work ahead.
Believe it or not, AOL still makes up to $2 billion a year from its dial-up business. But parent Time Warner hopes to sell off the dial-up wing within the next few months. Bob Moon tries connecting with its users.
Companies are so focused on the present that they often forget about the past. In an effort to fix that, many companies are opening up showcases that highlight their products through history. Cash Peters takes us inside.
Cities have tried a variety of tax breaks and incentives to lure new businesses. Commentator Paul Brophy says it's time for them to try things that will actually get results.
Large housing projects were all the rage three years ago, but the mortgage crisis has left towns across the country littered with half-built developments. Ashley Gross reports.
Most of a movie ticket's price goes to the studios, so theaters are looking for ways to generate more income from their captive audiences. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
The Americans With Disabilities Act is about to get an update, promising increased access to everything from courtrooms to swimming pools. John Dimsdale looks at the cost of the upgrades.
Between high fuel prices and modernization efforts, utilities are feeling the squeeze and are beginning to pass those increased costs on to consumers. Jeff Tyler has the story.
Congress is calling regulators to task for runaway oil prices. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with former commodity regulator Michael Greenberger about ways to keep tabs on speculation.
The head of the Federal Communications Commission approved a merger between XM and Sirius satellite radio, a deal which the Department of Justice approved in March. Ashley Milne-Tyte has details on what will happen now.
A new start-up company is trying to make it easier for illiterate workers with no business network to find out about jobs as housekeepers, gardeners, drivers and the like. Rico Gagliano reports from Bangalore.
Anheuser-Busch has been talking to maker of Mexican beer Corona to the chagrin of InBev, who was originally planning to buy out the company. Stephen Beard reports on the letter an upset InBev sent in response.
The American Medical Association is concerned over the trend of people traveling abroad for better health care. So members are voting on a set of key principles that would act as a guideline for the move. Ashley Milne-Tyte has more.
