It's easier than every to borrow against your nest egg with 401(k) debit cards, but everyone from the SEC to Congress is railing against the cards, with one senator even proposing a ban. Jeremy Hobson reports.
We're taking you back to the basics with our summer refresher course on finance terms. Today, the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction and what it means for you come tax time.
It's just an extra label or logo, but we're willing to pay big for it. Host Tess Vigeland asks journalist Rob Walker how marketers keep us so obsessed with name brands.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about lazy investing styles, lending to family, consolidating retirement accounts and foolproof investments.
Students are facing a tough job market at the same time as public utilities are bracing for a wave of retirements. In Los Angeles, schools and industry are working to make a match. Amanda Becker reports.
Another change from the new housing bill: Easier and safer reverse mortgages for America's seniors. Still, it's a better option for some homeowners more than others. Lenora Chu reports.
As Americans are struggling to balance their budgets, the government announced it's going to be short by $490 billion. Economics editor Chris Farrell sets the story straight on the meaning of the shortfall.
The long-fought-over housing bill has become law. Host Tess Vigeland asks Chris Mayer at Columbia University to explain what the bill does, then helps listeners get answers to their questions.
The United Nations says fewer people are dying of AIDS, and more are getting medication to treat HIV. But it says more money is needed for treatment and prevention. Kai Ryssdal talks with Jon Cohen, who's been covering the issue for Science magazine.
Northern California has been hit hard this summer by wildfires. So we traveled to Chico to meet Gene Dunning, who battles blazes for the Butte County Fire Department. Another in our Hot Jobs series.
Powwows used to be local get-togethers. But as Native Americans' casino businesses have grown, prizes for the best powwow dancers have grown, too. The money has created a class of powwow professionals. Sonya Geis reports.
Are there people in your office who plaster their cubicles with stuff like kitten calendars and motivational sayings? Commentator and economist Tyler Cowen introduces us to a book that wonders what all that stuff tells us about those people.
At a time when companies are struggling with high fuel costs and a slow economy, they're now also worried that pending legislation and other forces may be helping labor get organized. Steve Henn reports.
Influenced by the sudden downturn in the 90's, Generation X'ers are notorious for their "slacker chic." Stacey Vanek-Smith talks to Lisa Chamberlain, author of "Slackonomics," which covers Gen X and their take on economy.
The FCC is coming down on cable provider Comcast for allegedly blocking content from a competitor. Janet Babin reports some consumer groups expect the FCC annoucement to be a historic message to policymakers and Wall Street.
British Airways was once the world's most profitable airline, but fuel prices have knocked down profits almost 90 percent this quarter. Jennifer Collins reports the company tried hedging fuel prices, but it's not working.
An Indian tractor company is interested in General Motors' Hummer. Scott Jagow talks to reporter Mehul Srivastava in New Delhi about the company's interest in breaking into the U.S. market and why they're getting involved.
If the price of oil continues to drop and gas becomes more affordable, will drivers spend more time burning fuel again? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports drivers will likely continue to hold back due to other economic concerns.
BMW's earnings in the second quarter fell sharply due to the rising cost of production. Stephen Beard explores the volatility of the premium market and where the auto maker will be shifting market focus to catch up.
Yahoo! holds its annual shareholder meeting today in San Jose, and the company's stock has been languishing. But despite losing the search engine wars to Google, Yahoo offers a lot of value. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Attention English majors: Turns out literature might give you a leg up in the business world. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with author Robert Coles about his collection of short stories exploring the workplace.
With heating oil prices expected to top $5 a gallon this winter, consumers are worried about heating their homes and many fuel dealers are facing the threat of collapse. Jane Lindholm reports.
The largest untapped oil source, enough to sustain U.S. demand for a century, may be right here at home in the Rocky Mountains. But first, we have to find a way to get it out. Janet Babin reports.
Scientists at MIT have made a breakthrough which may solve the biggest hurdle to the mass adoption of solar energy: a more efficient way to store it for later use. Dan Grech reports.
Five states are suing the EPA, accusing the agency of ignoring their requests to restrict pollution from ships, airplanes and off-road vehicles. Renita Jablonski reports.
A bill that would give the FDA power to regulate tobacco products cleared the House and will be taken up by the Senate in the fall. What would the measure mean for the tobacco industry? Steve Henn reports.
Visa and MasterCard are still making plenty off our credit card use, but both companies report we're slowing our swiping of the plastic. Amy Scott reports.
The economic numbers out today attest that the economy isn't shrinking, but there's still plenty going on to make you wonder. Janet Babin looks at everything from the stimulus checks to gas consumption.
The closing of many nationwide Starbucks has inspired a wave of social activism to keep them open. Commentator Rob Walker explains the former sign for global capitalism is evolving to a symbol of economic progress.
Today, Congress is expected to look at laws governing higher education. The measure would cover everything from student loans to campus security, and sponsors say it would help rein college costs. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Royal Dutch Shell reported quarterly profits today and saw income tick up 33 percent. The oil company said high oil and natural gas prices helped it during a difficult period. Stephen Beard reports.
You may not know it, but energy stocks might be making you a tycoon. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks into where some energy profits are going — and gives some advice on how you can make the most of it.
A new health bill would help give mandated sick leave to the 40 percent of California employees without it. Health groups say focusing on prevention of illness could help lower health care costs. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens is on a mission, and wants you to support his energy plan away from imported oil and towards natural gas and wind power. But commentator Will Wilkinson says to be wary of what you hear.
Twenty percent of TV viewers are tuning in exclusively on their computers, leaving networks and advertisers scrambling to find a way to capture the evolving market. Steve Henn reports.
In an attempt to boost interest in cricket, India is following the models of U.S. sports leagues, creating a faster-paced, flashier sport — a strategy that is paying off. Mehul Srivastava reports.
Commentator Robert Reich continues our series on the best beach reads with a look back at economics during the Gilded Age with Thorstein Veblen's "The Theory of the Leisure Class."
A new report says Iraq's flush with money, but if that's true, why are so many of its residents still without basic infrastructure? Host Kai Ryssdal asks Stuart Bowen where Iraq's cash is going and where it isn't.
A shipping trade group says truck shipments were up in June for the eighth consecutive month. Does this mean the economy's on the road to recovery? Amy Scott reports.
The Big Three automakers are giving their leasing practices an overhaul after getting slammed with losses by falling SUV and truck resale values. Dan Grech reports.
Wall Street will continue to be able to take out emergency loans from the Federal Reserve through next year. Host Kai Ryssdal asks economist Cary Leahy about the impact of the Fed's lending.
After seven years of on-again, off-again negotiations, the U.S., China and India couldn't reach an agreement on farm tariffs in world trade talks. Jennifer Collins takes a look at what could happen next.
As the price of gas spikes up, the value of SUVs and pickup trucks has plummeted. That's a big problem for companies that leased these vehicles two or three years ago. Janet Babin reports on what car companies could lose.
Shares of ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, are double what they were last quarter. Share prices had been falling on the assumption of hurt demand. Stephen Beard reports most of the growth comes from emerging markets.
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is breaking ground this summer on a $110 million expansion. But Odette Yousef reports the opening of museums next door might make similar projects cheaper to fund in the future.
The Los Angeles City Council has passed a year-long ban on new fast food chains going into South Los Angeles, one of the city's most obese neighborhoods. But not everyone is happy about the ordinance. Renita Jablonski has more.
Congress is looking over a federal program that gives up to $2 billion a year to small businesses, which will run out in September. Mitchell Hartman reports just one area where the program has had success.
Whether you crave one that's glazed, cream-filled or you can't stand them at all, donuts tend to come out on top in a down economy. Scott Jagow talks about a sweet world with Paul Mullins, who wrote a book on donuts.
Alaska's Senator Ted Stevens is accused of seven counts of making false statements on financial disclosure forms related to his close ties with an energy company. Steve Henn reports.
Salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest are in serious trouble and dwindling supply means fish markets and restaurants are scrambling to find an alternative for their customers. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Host Kai Ryssdal reads listener comments on a few of our recent stories. This week: The yarn industry is tight knit in tough times, defending clotheslines and clearing up a few yellow flags on our Formula 1 coverage.
The equipment necessary to stave off wildfires costs a lot of money. Host Kai Ryssdal asks L.A. Times reporters Bettina Boxall and Julie Cart who's making a buck off the blazes.
Families in Massachusetts had been counting on a state-run lending agency for college aid, but tough times on the credit markets mean students will have to turn elsewhere. Curt Nickisch reports.
The big bank had been waiting with the hope of breaking even on its loan portfolio, but announced late yesterday that it will sell off its repackaged debt at a huge loss. Bob Moon reports.
Trade talks in Geneva derailed today as the U.S., India and China failed to reach an agreement on farm tariffs. Host Kai Ryssdal asks Marketplace's Stephen Beard if this is the end for the Doha round.
With the cost of equipment and land, it seems you have to be a millionaire to buy a farm. But in New Jersey, there seems to be an influx of new farmers. Matt Hackworth reports how they get around the high prices.
Merrill Lynch plans to get rid of its toxic assets. by selling $30 billion worth at just 22 cents on the dollar and taking a $5.7 billion write-down in the third quarter. Janet Babin reports where we may be in the mortgage crisis.
Growth has slowed in China, and there's been little action with Chinese IPO's. Lisa Chow reports some of the pressures China is dealing with and why investors may be pulling back more at this time.
Last week, government regulators put temporary restrictions on short selling, or borrowing stock and then selling it. The rules were meant to prevent companies from going into free-fall, but did they help? Bob Moon reports.
Many companies look to China as a market filled with opportunity. But for U.S. companies that want to be successful, it's important to know who you're selling to. Scott Tong shares tips on how to modify the "American way."
Big computer companies like IBM and Intel have announced major investments and technological breakthroughs in solar panels in recent months. Sam Eaton reports money is the main driver behind the revolution.
Alcatel-Lucent CEO Patricia Russo stepped down today on the heels of a dismal performance the past two years. She refused to learn French after company's U.S.-French merger, and Stephen Beard reports that could have been a bad sign.
The Bush administration estimates that, even if you don't count the cost of two wars, the federal deficit will exceed $480 billion in 2009. How will all that red ink affect the next president's plans? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Americans drove 9 billion fewer miles in May this year over last year. As drivers cut back, the income from gas taxes which fund highway repairs and maintenance is dropping, too. Amy Scott reports.
As the economy drives consumers to eat more meals at home, food giant Kraft is in a position to profit. Even with higher costs, it's second-quarter results showed its bottom line got fatter. Steve Henn reports.
Buying locally grown food is good PR for companies. But it turns out that, with rising diesel prices, there's a lot more to gain than a good reputation. Alisa Roth reports.
Looking to laugh off those Monday office blues? Host Kai Ryssdal talks with author John Austin about his office-prank guidebook, "Cubicle Warfare." And the Marketplace staff tries out a few of the gags.
