As we continue our coverage of the financial crisis, we look back to the Great Depression. Reporter Jaime Bedrin sat down with her grandmother who lived through it.
If you're 62 or older and the stock market is eating your retirement, there are still options open to you. Host Scott Jagow asks Meg Burns of the FHA about reverse mortgages.
As finances get tighter, some homeowners are finding the only way to make ends meet is to welcome some new neighbors by renting out their own homes. Marianne Russ reports.
Marketplace presents "Here's What I'm Doing," a series asking people from all walks of life how they're coping with the financial crisis. In this edition, Chris Gardner.
Host Scott Jagow asks to a business owner from each side of the political aisle how they're adapting their companies in anticipation of President-elect Obama's economic plans.
Economics editor Chris Farrell sets the story straight on the different ways individuals and the government should adjust their budgets to best weather the economic crisis.
With unemployment at 6.5 percent, many Americans are being forced to consider temp work to make ends meet. Some even turn it into a career of its own. Marketplace's Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Now that the election is over, it's time to get down to specifics. Host Scott Jagow asks Marketplace's Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale about the details of President-elect Obama's tax plan.
Knowing people have less cash in their wallets, some retailers are turning to old tricks to get shoppers spending money during the holiday season. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the story.
Ah, getting that first apartment by yourself. No more living with parents or roommates. So grown up. But commentator Reihan Salam found out that having your own place has definite drawbacks.
More than $32 million is at stake in the 2008 Texas Hold 'em tournament. The odds of taking any of it home? 10%. Not so good when you can't afford to lose the $10,000 entry fee. Amanda Becker reports on how some players are getting around that.
The election of the first African-American president was a historic event. The financial crisis didn't take any time off, though. Scott Jagow recaps the week with Johs Worsoe of Union Bank and Jerry Seib of the Wall Street Journal.
Neel Kashkari of the Treasury is heading to a securities industry gathering to explain the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Some financial players are reluctant to apply because details are unclear. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
With unemployment at 6.5%, those still employed are wondering how long their jobs will be safe. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks at the impact of high unemployment and asks if it will get worse.
In his first news conference, President-elect Barack Obama called for swift action on the country's financial crisis. Host Scott Jagow asks Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale about Obama's road map for the economy.
When the incoming and outgoing presidents are from different parties, it's customary to keep newcomers at arms length until Inauguration Day. But John Dimsdale reports this transition has a great deal of cooperation.
Many laid-off workers are feeling the sting extra hard this month as the holiday season approaches. Host Steve Chiotakis gets reactions from engineer Tanja Beshear, who is working her last day today.
BP has dropped its plans to build an onshore wind farm in the U.K. and will now spend billions of dollars on wind energy in the U.S. Stephen Beard reports why the company is drawn to westward initiatives.
Since France took over the revolving presidency of the E.U. last summer, French President Nicholas Sarkozy has had more time in the spotlight. John Laurenson looks into whether he's gotten in a little over his head.
The Labor Department released employment figures for October, and they're bad — the unemployment rate is at its highest level in 14 years. Steve Chiotakis pores over the numbers with Jeremy Hobson.
President-elect Barack Obama holds his first post-election news conference today. Bill Radke talks to Steve Henn, who says his first priority has to be to reassure the nation and the world on the economy.
With the election over, what are the former presidential candidates' campaign staff to do now? Karen Kasler looks into the jobs available for these workers and where competition for some positions might be tough.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a deal to buy a house for $1. The catch: the homes can only be sold to local governments for neighborhood rehabilitation. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Retail sales for October hit their weakest levels in more than three decades, with luxury stores taking the biggest hit. Marketplace's Sam Eaton reports that there's a psychological shift underway that may reshape the retail landscape.
If you are a Sprint customer, you can now see NFL football games on your cell phone. It is part of the wireless company's exclusive $500 million partnership with the league. Rico Gagliano reports.
The volatility in the market in the last few months can't all be blamed on what's happening to the economy. Also to blame: margin calls. As part of our "Marketplace Decoder" series, Bill Radke explains what those are.
Kai Ryssdal is in Baltimore where he spent an afternoon in the emergency room of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He found a snapshot of the local economy there.
Bashing lobbyists on the campaign trail invariably got the crowd roaring for Barack Obama. That puts him in a post-election quandary, though. Some of the best resumes he's getting are from lobbyists. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Asset-backed securities have lost the appeal that sparked a $500 billion buying frenzy a year ago. Last month, only one $500 million deal closed. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports why this hurts the economy.
Chief executives from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are on Capitol Hill desperately seeking federal loans. What would happen if lawmakers said no? Jeff Tyler reports on the issues facing the companies as they fight for their lives.
What if computers became smarter than us? Yes, we know, you already saw that movie. But what if? Kai Ryssdal poses the question to Richard Dooling, author of "Rapture for the Geeks: When AI Outsmarts IQ"
Federal regulators are glad to see the Google/Yahoo ad partnership fail because they feared less competition would make online ad sales expensive. Janet Babin reports consumer advocates are happy for another reason.
Consumer confidence for October plunged to its lowest level ever, and some predict the worst holiday shopping season in more than two decades. Sam Eaton reports some retailers may be hurt more than others.
The auto industry wants a lot from Congress, from a cash infusion to help with the GM-Chrysler merger. Steve Chiotakis talks to Steve Henn in Washington, where auto execs are meeting with House leaders.
With Silicon Valley in a bit of a slump, research departments at universities are getting a leg up. Caitlan Carroll looks at how one technology start-up at the University of Southern California is following the trend.
The European Central Bank cut interest rates today by 0.5%, and Britain's central bank sliced them by 1.5% — one of the steepest cuts on record. Stephen Beard reports that many economists see Britain headed for a nasty recession.
What will the Obama administration mean for individual American industries? Bill Radke talks to Alisa Roth, who explores how President-elect Obama's policies may affect energy companies, auto makers and infrastructure.
We've told you how credit default swaps caused trouble for the economy, which are tricky instruments traded in the over-the-counter, or OTC, market. In this Marketplace Decoder, Rico Gagliano explains.
The turnout on election day was huge — highest in 45 years. So voters clearly were passionate about this election. Some of them told us what they want to see in the new Obama administration.
The egg-laying chickens of California will get roomier accommodations under Proposition 2, which passed by a wide margin. Sarah Gardner reports on what could be the start of a national animal rights movement.
Barack Obama's promise to raise taxes on top income earners has businesses and wealthy individuals rushing to take advantage of tax breaks before new rules take effect. Jeff Tyler has more.
International opinion widely favored Sen. Barack Obama. So now that he's been elected, how is the rest of the world reacting? Kai Ryssdal gets feedback from London Bureau Chief Stephen Beard.
A post-election good mood could be felt around the country, but what's Wall Street all grumpy about? To figure out why the markets retreated, Kai Ryssdal called trader Bernie McSherry.
Commentator David Frum says there may be a political advantage for President-elect Obama to wait until January to deal with economic issues, but the country can't afford it.
Americans spoke loudly for change, particularly in D.C. politics. That includes lobbyists and pork seekers. Commentator Robert Reich urges Obama to enlist his campaign network and grassroots activists for the job.
Throughout the campaign, voters voiced concern about jobs and rising unemployment. Nancy Marshall Genzer looks at what the Obama administration might do to help create employment opportunities.
Tremendous economic problems await the new president, from the deficit to unemployment. To find out what President Obama's to-do list is going to look like, we're joined by Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale.
The election is over and many investors are feeling relieved and not surprised by the result, given the polls. Jeremy Hobson went to the New York Stock Exchange to get a sense of what the market was thinking.
Now that the election is over, polling companies need something to do. Nancy Marshall Genzer takes a look at how they pay the bills — from polling for media companies to conducting market research.
Californians are awaiting final vote totals on Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in the state. Jennifer Collins reports how gay marriages have given an economic boost to the wedding industry.
President-elect Obama has a lot of work ahead when it comes to the economy. He'll also have to lead the allocation of the $700 billion bailout package. Bill Radke talks to economist Nariman Behravesh about what Obama can do.
In a tight economy, consumers aren't as quick to pay for credit checks. How is this affecting Fair-Isaac, the credit-scoring company? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
A decisive victory was Wall Street's preference for Tuesday's election. What other key points do investors care about with the upcoming Obama administration? Steve Chiotakis talks to Alisa Roth in New York.
Investors have responded to the news of Barack Obama's election with what seems to be a sell-off. Steve Chiotakis talks to European correspondent Stephen Beard over why the specific reaction overseas.
Asian stocks rallied after Barack Obama's election. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Scott Tong in Shanghai about the market's reaction and how local financial advisers are responding to the president elect.
President-elect Obama now turns his attention to assembling his administration, with his choice for Treasury secretary being closely watched. Bill Radke talks to Steve Henn in Washington, D.C. about Obama's options.
Commentator Will Wilkinson says Congratulations, Barack Obama! You're the next president of the United States. Now, what are you going to do about the broken U.S. government? Wilkinson offers his ideas.
This week our listeners wrote in about auto-worker benefits, the Great Depression and the darker side of Tinkerbell. Also, abut a pirate who's no Capt. Hook. Kai Ryssdal picks out a few.
Our "What I'm Doing" series turns to Don Vandoski, a lay leader at a church in Indiana, who says faith and scripture inform his decisions during these difficult times. He's started a ministry called "Financial Peace."
In the most recent issue of Harper's, Eric Janszen, founder of iTulip.com, calls for a broad re-industrialization of the American economy. Kai Ryssdal talks with him about putting strength back into the country.
Commentator Carlos Concepcion says businesses that recruit employees to work at polling places with pay are being more than patriotic. Having skilled workers at the polls is vital to the democratic process.
This was one long campaign, and TV stations are just fine with that. Estimates put the amount spent on TV ads at $2.5 billion. Then there's the ratings boosts — and not just from Tina Fey. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more.
The Treasury wants to extend the bailout beyond banks, because it's a way of injecting capital into the economy quickly. But Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale reports that not everyone likes the idea.
The credit markets are starting to thaw, and that means confidence is returning to the banking system. Why now? Jeremy Hobson looks into whether the election had any effect on the country's financial mood.
The FCC is considering a proposal for soon-to-be freed TV airwaves. Tech companies see big opportunities, but broadcasters worry about unwanted transmission interference in their signals. John Dimsdale reports.
Hiring slumps in the U.S. and U.K. are hurting temp staffing companies worldwide. Jeremy Hobson looks into the advantages of being a temp — including the leg up in job competition — and why company temp hiring is slower.
San Francisco start-up business MyFarm helps locals who aren't savvy about gardening grow their own veggies at home. Lisa Morehouse has more on the company's success and fans throughout the organic world.
Finance ministers from the European Union are meeting in Brussels today to talk about the global financial crisis. One idea on the table: having the U.S. play a smaller role in the IMF. Stephen Beard reports.
Scores of voters are lining up across the country to cast ballots, but in some states voters have already had the opportunity to get it out of the way. Janice Baker reports why the move can also be good for stores.
Small business owners, does the current economy make you feel powerless or afraid? If so, you're not alone. Marketplace Entrepreneurship reporter Mitchell Hartman attended a peer advisory group where entrepreneurs get help coping with the turmoil in the business world.
Chrysler's promotion to guarantee buyers $2.99 per gallon gas doesn't really sell when national prices have dropped below that number. Janet Babin reports what the auto maker might plan to do instead to help the company.
The Treasury Department is moving forward on how to spend the $700 billion rescue fund, and is thinking about buying up stakes in more companies. Alisa Roth reports the idea is to support a wider range of financial companies.
As readers hunger for information about the financial crisis, publishers are hurrying to get new business books on the table. And old ones, too. Sally Herships learns that's not so easy to do.
The subject of human waste doesn't come up much. Too icky. But a new book warns of the perils of ignoring the subject. Kai Ryssdal talks with Rose George, author of "The Big Necessity."
Forget the Gallup Poll and the shouting heads on MSNBC and Fox. Go to InTrade.com, a so-called "prediction market" with a record of calling races. Kai Ryssdal asks two political experts about gambling on politics.
Next up in financial crisis headlines: credit cards. Delinquencies on card payments are on the rise and consumers are cutting back on credit card use. Neither is good for credit card companies. Rachel Dornhelm reports
