Week of December 8th, 2008

On this week's "A Day in the Work Life," we go on stage with Heather Myers, soloist with Boston Ballet.

Listeners weigh in on our recent coverage of childcare options, mileage reimbursement math, homeowners turned landlords, credit cards, and holiday party alternatives.

With the financial fallout hitting individuals and businesses hard, the B word is getting thrown around more and more. Marketplace's Sean Cole tells the bankruptcy story, starting with Chapter 7.

As budgets get tighter, there's a new mentality about holiday gift giving on the rise. Sharon McNary reports on the "New Simplifiers."

As investors are willing to accept zero yield for Treasury Bills, economics editor Chris Farrell sets the story straight on our collective search for mattresses to stash our cash under.

Instability in the financial markets has investors viewing yesterday's safe bets with suspicious eyes. Host Tess Vigeland talks to USA Today's John Waggoner about the rush away from municipal bonds.

Seniors have until the end of the year to select the plan they'd like under Medicare Part D. Host Tess Vigeland asks health policy analyst Jack Hoadley how to choose the right one.

Question: So, I'm confused as to why people are still buying and selling Lehman Brothers stock. They're bankrupt, why are people trading it, the…

With the big exceptions of the auto industry and Bernard Madoff, things weren't so bad this week on Wall Street. Trader Andy Brooks and Fortune magazine's Leigh Gallagher tell Kai Ryssdal they see a few positive signs in this week's events.

The Treasury Department may dip into the $700-billion bailout fund to rescue the ailing auto industry. Kai Ryssdal speaks with John Dimsdale about what's next for the automakers.

Broker Bernard Madoff has been arrested on charges that he ran a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, using money from old investors to pay off new ones. He may have even outdone Ponzi himself. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Congress has given corporations and retirees a break by letting businesses delay payments to pension plans and relaxing rules on mandatory withdrawals from IRAs and 401k's for people over 70. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

Gas prices are down and the mood of consumers is surprisingly up. Is cheap gas the cause for rising consumer confidence? Sally Herships reports.

In these tough economic times, your faith may be the only thing pulling you through. Kai Ryssdal talks with Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, who preaches from the pulpit at Trinity Church on Wall Street.

With the holidays upon us and the financial crisis hurting our pocketbooks, commentator Rob Walker tells us why it's a good time to look at our spending habits.

The Labor Department's come out with new temporary farmworker regulations. But the rules go into effect four days before the Bush administration leaves office. John Dimsdale tells us what the critics are saying.

The producer price index (PPI) for finished goods fell by 2.2% in November, according to the Labor Department. That follows the record drop of 2.8%…

The Senate's denial of a $14 billion loan package for the auto industry has a global effect. Scott Jagow talks to David Buick with the Cantor Index about the roughly 2 million people employed throughout the industry.

A $270 billion deal would use investment strategies and tax cuts to bring up Europe's employment numbers and trigger multinational growth. The plan will likely go through despite Germany's reticence. Megan Williams reports.

The potential actors' strike and Jay Leno's move to prime time could have some severe consequences for the entertainment industry. Steve Chiotakis looks at the economic impact of the moves with Daily Variety's Michael Speier.

The price of coal as plummeted since the summer, and analysts predict even cheaper coal prices next year. This makes the commodity a luring alternative to some, and doesn't bode well for green energy. Sarah Gardner reports.

A new report from financial services consultant Celent says there's a financial crisis, but access to credit is not the problem. Scott Jagow susses out the claim with the firm's head, Octavio Marenzi.

A new ad campaign encourages consumers to shop at their local real-life stores as opposed to the Internet. The TV spot highlights the consequences for the local market if they don't. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

With the Senate's failure to approve the $14 billion loan for the auto industry, the White House is considering stepping in with bailout money. Meanwhile, finger pointing over GOP senators' opposition has begun on Capitol Hill. Dan Grech reports.

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, December 12, 2008

Question: Is it better to pay down debt (ie. mortgage or car loan) during periods of inflation or deflation? I understand that it's a good idea to…

Brett White, CEO of commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis, tells Kai Ryssdal that while there's no question things are bad in commercial real estate, they're not all that bad.

Nonprofits are struggling to stay afloat in these tough times. Kai Ryssdal visits the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club to see how the organization is coping with the economic downturn.

Does an organization dedicated to serving society have to be a nonprofit? Commentator Dan Pallotta says charities could likely do more by using the tools of capitalism.

The current financial crisis should teach Wall Street a few lessons. But Wall Street insider Henry Blodget tells Kai Ryssdal why the meltdown has happened and why it could happen again.

For laid-off Wall Street workers, attending a Pink Slip Party is both an opportunity to mingle with other job seekers and a chance to maybe land a new job. Amy Scott reports.

Senate Republicans put the auto industry bailout plan on hold, so where do the Big Three go from here? Alisa Roth reports on the different paths the automakers can travel.

The U.S. trade gap widened in October because of a record rise in the amount of oil imports. What does that mean for gas prices? Sam Eaton reports.

Foreclosure filings dropped for the month of November, but that doesn't necessarily mean things are getting better. Jeremy Hobson looks into why these indicators may be "false positives" for the housing market.

Today we get the latest trade deficit, and while a weaker dollar and overseas growth have boosted U.S. exports, a faltering U.S. economy means fewer imports. John Dimsdale explores whether trade will balance out.

European leaders are looking at an E.U.-wide stimulus package, but Germany and Britain have very different opinions. The U.K. supports the plan, while Germans dislike the approach. Stephen Beard reports.

The British pound was trampling the dollar last year, but lately its value is rapidly decreasing. Now a debate is stirring over whether to lose the pound sterling and adopt the euro. Christopher Werth reports.

Small businesses want a number of things from the incoming Obama administration, including some of the money from the federal bailout. Health insurance and credit card reform are also on the agenda. Mitchell Hartman reports.

The House approved $14 billion in loans to help automakers survive. But things don't look promising for the bill as it heads to the Senate, where Republicans are threatening a filibuster. Dan Grech reports.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis.

Marketplace for Thursday, December 11, 2008

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, December 11, 2008

The economic downturn is affecting commercial real estate different than residential. CB Richard Ellis CEO Brett White talks about how his company is adapting to the times.

Money market funds and other big investors looking for a safe place to put their money are buying Treasury bills, even though the bills are paying a 0% interest rate. Alisa Roth reports.

Question: Hello, I love the show. I'm a bit of a personal finance geek and I look forward to it every week. I'm 25 years old and I'm returning to…

Even though the Federal Reserve can print pretty much all the cash it needs, it's now considering borrowing money by selling bonds. Steve Henn reports.

Several Republican senators say they'll try to block an auto bailout bill proposed by congressional Democrats and the White House. Why? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

The Congressional Oversight Panel for Economic Stabilization is set to question the Treasury Department's strategy for the $700 billion bailout. Elizabeth Warren, the panel's chair, discusses her views with Kai Ryssdal.

If you're facing harder times but still want to give back, you may think the best way is through volunteering. But Holden Karnofsky, co-founder of a charity evaluation website, says your time would be better spent finding a nonprofit worthy of your money.

President-elect Obama plans to expand the federal faith-based initiative established by President Bush, but with a big change — no more hiring on the basis of faith. John Dimsdale reports on how faith-based organizations are reacting.

Demand for recycled goods is down, causing a billion dollar industry to lose much of its steam. But another byproduct of the recycling industry's downturn is the creation of new opportunities. Sam Eaton reports.

Commentator David Frum says President-elect Obama's stimulus programs will cost America a pretty penny, money we can't afford to spend or borrow.

Congress and the White House worked together through the night to get a proposal together for a rescue of the auto industry. Steve Chiotakis gives us a quick update with the White House's bottom line.

Muslim pilgrims flocked to the annual five-day Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year in record numbers, though the number of American pilgrims dwindled due to the economy. Shopkeepers also did well. Daniel Estrin reports.

The heads of Ford have stepped out of the plan for the auto industry bailout, saying they don't need the money. But why was Ford able to jump ship and not GM or Chrysler? Dan Grech explores a critical company move.

From Paul Krugman's Nobel lecture. Good advice for anyone trying to think through a problem:…

President-elect Obama wants part of an economic stimulus package spent on green initiatives. One group is looking at improving man-made infrastructure with the environment in mind. Sarah Gardner reports.

Today, a congressional panel will review who should get the remainder of the $700 billion bailout. The Treasury Department is focused on banks, but the money could be pitched towards homeowners. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest producer of iron ore, will be shedding over 14,000 jobs and selling some mines to help pay off some of its multibillion-dollar debt. Stephen Beard reports.

To get its $15 billion loan, the auto industry has to devise a restructuring deadline and deal with a car czar. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Dan Grech about what's being negotiated in the deal.

Washington's 340 think tanks are hurting from new lows in funding. This could hit more impartial, non-partisan groups the hardest, while corporate-funded think tanks may get a leg up. Ronni Radbill reports.

The proposed $15 billion loan for the auto industry is expected to go to vote today. But what can the money actually accomplish if approved? Scott Jagow asks David Bailey from the Birmingham Business School in England.

Congress and the Obama administration are preparing a new stimulus plan likely to be signed as soon as the new president is sworn in. Commentator Robert Reich has a few suggestions for keeping the money out of corporate welfare.

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Philanthropy consultant Lucy Bernholz tells Kai Ryssdal that the trend this year in giving is taking big ideas and making them small.

Listeners respond to the proposed bailout of the auto industry, one of our guests' comments on health care, and whether Santa Claus is real.

At Mary Immaculate Parish in Pacoima, Calif., dozens of parishioners are at risk of losing their homes. Father John Lasseigne's been trying to help them by organizing them to negotiate with their banks. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Federal regulators will make billions in new loans available to help so-called "corporate" credit unions, which pool money from retail credit unions and invest it. Now those investments aren't looking so good. Mitchell Hartman reports.

It seems like every day brings news of more layoffs. Which got us wondering — when will personal bankruptcies start catching up with the commercial ones? Alisa Roth reports.

Charitable organizations depending on the generosity of others may find themselves with less handouts this year. With so many Americans struggling to make ends meet, there's less money to give. Organizations are preparing for the worst. Jaime Bedrin reports.

Haggling over a $15 billion government rescue of the American automobile industry continues in Washington. One of the issues still being debated is how much fuel efficiency should be imposed on carmakers. John Dimsdale reports.

A Wall Street executive gets to heaven and is met with a huge celebration and a parade leading to the throne of God. He is greeted personally and…

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on charges of fraud and bribery. He allegedly conspired to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat for kickbacks. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Day labor may be changing based on this video from Screaming Frog:

Question: Can a company that has been contributing matching funds on a 401K plan created by the company, suddenly stop contributing claiming…

Why are we bailing out the auto companies? Why not just bailout the workers? In other words, lets take the money and give it to the workers. They…

Is the U.S. taxpayer really going to bail out an investment by one of the leading private equity firms? The very politically connected private…

My latest musings at Business Week:…

Congress could vote on a $15 billion loan to automakers tomorrow, but the deal still has opposition. Scott Jagow talks to Marketplace's Dan Grech about the sticking points between Republicans and Democrats.

Projections for the airlines next year are rosier than the present, thanks largely to the sharp fall in oil prices. But despite doing better, the industry is not out of the dark yet. Stephen Beard reports.

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker will play a pivotal role on President-elect Obama's economic team. But some think his trademark frugality may not help the recession. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

Mumbai has been famous for resilience against destructive events, weathering everything from riots to monsoons. But the latest terrorist attack on the city has been taking its toll. Raymond Thibodeaux reports.

Demand for video games has stayed strong through a tumultuous economy, with new consoles selling at record high numbers. But many game makers are still laying off workers and closing studios. Janet Babin reports.

Panama will begin a 12-nation summit tomorrow on trade in the hemisphere. Focusing on trade growth, the country is preparing to spend $5 billion to expand its canal to accommodate bigger ships. Dan Grech reports.

Marketplace Morning Report for Tuesday, December 9, 2008

To face the long-term problem of global warming we need to be rooted in short-term reality. And the reality of the year ahead is a global recessi…

Question: I have a Roth IRA and traditional IRA, both with Vanguard. I am not employed at this time but I would like to contribute to an IRA or…

The buildings around Venice's most famous public square, Piazza San Marco, are crumbling. Chunks of buildings are falling off. A possible solution has tourists and locals a little nervous. Megan Williams reports.

Corporate ad spending is expected to fall more than 8% next year. Hard times in Detroit are one reason for the drop. But as Ashley Milne-Tyte reports, everybody's pulling back.