The unemployment rate among active-duty veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan is 2% higher than for civilians. We hear from veteran Stephen Kraft, who, despite having a strong resume, is finding it hard to get steady work.
Oregon residents can get paid through Medicaid if they become official caretakers for family members. Ethan Lindsey reports how some home care workers get help from the state, and how the recession might affect the job.
Tess Vigeland reads listener e-mails on long-term investing, "do-it-yourself disasters," and an idea to mandate that all members of Congress do their own taxes with pencil, paper and calculator.
Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell give advice to a woman being laid off, refinancing student loans and whether it's a good idea to take out a loan against the value of a CD.
Now is a good time for young investors to learn a lot about Wall Street and take advantage of opportunities in undervalued stocks. Sally Herships meets with 14-year-old traders who keep up with the markets.
OK, so maybe you can't lavish your loved one with expensive gifts. But if had unlimited funds, what would you get? Sean Cole peruses a millionaire's Valentine's list, and poses some questions about money and love.
Economists have been sparring for weeks over the merits of the stimulus package. Tess Vigeland talks to our Economics Editor Chris Farrell, who tells us why he thinks the stimulus package is a good thing.
How will the stimulus bill help the taxpayer? Tess Vigeland evaluates the package on everything from jobs to loans to tax credits with Marketplace senior editor Paddy Hirsch and Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale.
Manufacturers are capitalizing on the demand residents in developing countries have for modern amenities. China is exporting fake merchandise to Tanzania to make a quick buck. As Gretchen Wilson reports, these cheap goods come with huge long-term costs.
Microsoft is gearing up to launch retail stores worldwide to build product buzz and connect with consumers. Will the company be able to re-brand itself to appeal to a larger audience? Mitchell Hartman reports.
News this week surrounded some very important people — bailed-out bank CEOs and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Kai Ryssdal speaks about the banking system with The Wall Street Journal's Heidi Moore and The Atlantic's Megan McCardle.
New York Fashion Week is launching, and there's one demand on the runways: girls who look like First Daughters Sasha and Malia Obama. Sally Herships reports.
California is hurting in this economy, and Colorado is capitalizing. The Centennial State is mounting a Valentine-themed campaign to lure California companies out of the Golden State. Rob Schmitz reports.
Congress is requiring states to allocate some of their stimulus money within 45 days. But is this enough time for states to spend the money wisely? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
President Obama is expected to unveil a plan to reinvigorate the housing sector next week. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Columbia University Professor Chris Mayer about what the plan might look like.
As the Group of Seven nations meets on financial concerns this morning, some are worried that free trade could go by the wayside. Germany's finance minister is warning against protectionism. Jennifer Collins reports.
The House could vote as early as today on that economic stimulus bill, and news of a plan to stop people from falling behind on their mortgages excited investors. Jeremy Hobson reports how the bill could help homeowners.
Couples struggling in the current recession may also struggle with each other. Bill Radke talks to Gail Cunningham with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, who suggests couples have an open talk about finances.
New York fashion week is kicking off, and many designers are fearing their new fall lines will be discounted before the season even begins. Over the holidays many stores slashed prices without telling designers. Janet Babin reports.
The agency that regulates Britain's banks is falling under criticism for bonuses to top bank executives. Critics warn that regulators shouldn't reward poor performance with cash. Stephen Beard reports.
Economic fallout is hurting the Las Vegas convention industry, and part of it may have to do with the city's image as a getaway. The mayor and others want people to not feel guilty about doing business there. Bob Moon reports.
Hand crafters Michael Wood and Mona Harris met through work and fell in love, and eventually started working together. Mitchell Hartman reports to keep such a relationship healthy, you've got to be crafty.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is attending the G7 conference in Rome, hoping to work together with finance ministers on the faltering economy. Steve Henn explores the pros and cons of conjoining efforts with other countries.
Toyota is offering buyouts to some 18,000 workers and shortening its work week by eight hours at some plants in efforts to cut back U.S. production. Jeremy Hobson reports the automaker is doing everything possible not to lay off workers.
After Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, many residents were quick to rush back. Dan Baum covered New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and talks to Kai Ryssdal about why the Crescent City is so appealing.
Charles Darwin fathered the theory of evolution. His work is so far-reaching, even the business world has adopted his "survival of the fittest" theory of natural selection. But commentator Natasha Loder says economic selection is anything but natural.
The movies "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "The International" open this weekend. But will viewers be entertained by a movie about our pre-recession consumption or one about our current banking crisis? Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
President Obama says the stimulus package will create or preserve 3.5 million jobs and get the economy on track. But will the package actually stimulate the economy? And how will we measure its success? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
After negotiations yesterday on the stimulus bill, lawmakers plan to try and create or save up to 3.5 million jobs. Construction and government jobs will be the first on the list. Jeremy Hobson reports others may have to wait.
A new poll shows a majority of Americans believe Medicare should be expanded to include everyone. More than half of respondents are even willing to pay more taxes for the coverage. Danielle Karson reports.
Commercial satellite companies are assessing the impact of a collision in space where a Russian craft destroyed an American communications satellite. Stephen Beard reports on the need to monitor space junk.
After people kept asking Danielle McDonald to pen personalized poems, she thought she could make a little cash doing it. Spend a few bucks at Secretwriter.org and she'll craft a sonnet in your name. Sean Cole reports.
Several big retail chains have been going bust in this economy, with Circuit City and Mervyn's the latest to fall. But some companies are willing to spend some money on a still valuable brand name. Mitchell Hartman reports.
A rise in gold over the past several years is reviving interest in the Old West's historic gold fields. But one town in Colorado worries about the effects the rush will have on its tourism. Megan Verlee reports.
The Federal Trade Commission is weighing in on the lack of regulation in online marketing amidst growing concern over what the industry does with personal information. But some are skeptical that self-regulation will work. Sam Eaton reports.
A provision was removed from the stimulus that would have protected federal employees from retaliation if they blew the whistle on fraud or abuse. Jeremy Hobson reports what the bill calls for now instead.
Congressional leaders reached an agreement on a $789 billion stimulus package today. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Washington bureau chief John Dimsdale about the details of the deal.
In the past few years, many companies have made the effort to become more green — from launching sustainability initiatives to cutting energy use. But in this economic downturn, is corporate green fervor dwindling? Sarah Gardner reports.
When the Army held a military job fair in Maryland recently for up to 400 civilian positions, about 4,000 applicants, many of them white-collar workers, lined up for inspection. Tamara Keith reports.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said transparency would be a key part of the government's new financial stability plan. But commentator Robert Reich wonders just how much the public will really know.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner promised more transparency when he announced the government's new bailout package. But do investors really want to know what the banks are hiding? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The mortgage meltdown triggered the current crisis we're in, so why not aim more of the stimulus at troubled homeowners? Fixing the housing market isn't going to be that easy. Dan Grech reports.
Eight CEOs of the largest banks receiving TARP funds were grilled by the House Financial Services Committee. Where were the former CEOs who got us into this mess? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
A Commerce Department report shows that the U.S. trade deficit shrank 4% in December, falling to its lowest level in almost six years. That's good news, or is it? Steve Henn reports.
The House Financial Services Committee will grill eight bank CEOs today on the cash infusion they received last fall. Steve Chiotakis talks to Representative Jeb Hensarling, who sits on the committee, and finds out what he'll be asking.
As bank executives account for lavish bonus packages in tough times, we wondered if money is all that drives the American worker nowadays. Bill Radke poses the question to LA Times columnist David Lazarus.
Bank leaders will testify today in front of the House Financial Services Committee on their use of bailout funds. The industry is being criticized for hoarding taxpayer money instead of increasing lending. Jeremy Hobson reports.
The town of Blakely, Ga. once thrived as a mecca for the peanut industry. But with the closing of the local peanut processing plant due to a salmonella outbreak comes a questionable future. Dan Grech reports.
Google is developing a free Web service to help you track your home energy use in real time. Aside from helping consumers save on their electricity bill, Google could use the information to make money. Sam Eaton explains how.
Hedge funds had a rough ride in 2008, but things could be turning around. The hedge fund industry has made a profit for two months in a row now. Stephen Beard reports why this is a good sign for the global economy.
Markets in Asia and Europe are trading lower this morning on a U.S. "sneeze." Jeremy Hobson explores the Geithner effect on overseas markets and why some of the markets are relying on U.S. success.
A new study out today links our genetic make-up to the amount of risk we're willing to take with our savings. Those more prone to risk-taking ventures: study participants whose ancestors moved around. Janet Babin reports.
The Senate finally approved a new version of the stimulus package, but debate continues about whether it's even a good idea. Commentator Will Wilkinson says the deal may only be useful for psychological effect, if at all.
As markets have deteriorated, "write-downs" have figured prominently in more and more corporate reports. What are write-downs all about? Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
The government's plan to stabilize the financial system may cost more than a trillion dollars in new spending. But there's less than $350 billion left in the original bailout. As Steve Henn reports, private investors and the Federal Reserve may be footing the bill.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner recently criticized China for currency manipulation. But with many of the world's advanced economies in financial crises, commentator Helen Popper says now is the time to cooperate with them to boost our own.
The global financial crisis is creating buying opportunities for investors with cash. Chinese investors showed they have deep pockets this week in two mega-deals. Scott Tong reports.
There's a lot to be rebuilt in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli military operation — roads, sewers and homes were all destroyed. But the money to pay for those repairs is in short supply in Gaza. Daniel Estrin reports.
With all the scrutiny banks are getting these days, the industry is being extra cautious. Goldman Sachs is moving its annual investor conference from Las Vegas to San Francisco, the latest sign of a new, more serious era on Wall Street. Amy Scott reports.
To protect taxpayers, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner promised more accountability and transparency. So a new Web site will be launched to track TARP spending. But will it work? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
The Treasury Department announced that banks with more than $100 billion in assets will be required to undergo a comprehensive stress test to check their viability before receiving more aid. But can a test really tell us how healthy these banks are? John Dimsdale reports.
Congress looks at a renewable energy proposal today that would require utilities to tap more into alternative sources like wind and solar. Sam Eaton reports why creating a single national policy could be tough.
