What does the classic game Monopoly teach us about the real world of mortgages, investing and taxes? Tess Vigeland finds out by playing the game with Brian Boles, a competitor in the 2009 National Monopoly Championships in Washington, D.C.
For six years, Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Opdyke wrote a column about he and his wife's financial life. Now he's turned the experience into a book, "Financially Ever After." Tess Vigeland talks to the author about what couples can do to be open about money.
Believe it or not, the IRS actually employs someone to watch out for the best interests of the taxpayer. On this week's "Day in the Work Life," we meet Nina Olson, a national taxpayer advocate.
Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell answer questions from listeners about assessing the job market in a new city, how to recognize questionable fees when refinancing your home and when you should start teaching kids about managing money.
Most stories about the newly unemployed are all about doom and gloom. But some people are riding out unemployment on severance packages and savings. Reporter Julie Rose finds that this new-found freedom can't last forever.
These days you can do just about anything online. But what if you could also get access to your confidential medical records? New York-Presbyterian Hospital just implemented an online system. Sally Herships reports.
The media have been reporting that the market seems to be leveling out. Tess Vigeland talks to economics editor Chris Farrell about how to react to this news and how to adjust your finances accordingly.
Foreclosures continue to climb, but there are a few people out there ready to jump at the chance to buy a deeply discounted home. Adam Allington researches the do's and don'ts of buying a foreclosed home.
Some banks are paying homeowners to voluntarily leave their foreclosed homes. The new method is cheaper than an eviction, but real estate broker Richard Allen says neither side comes out on top. Eve Troeh reports.
Marketplace's Brendan Newnam and Rico Gagliano chat with fellow staffers Jeremy Hobson, Betsy Streisand and Stacey Vanek-Smith about their favorite under-the-radar business stories from this week: Paris Hilton's bff house, a Reebok-Cirque du Soleil workout and lawsuits.
Springtime is typically the busiest home buying season. And with banks rolling out programs to make it easier to refinance, there could be signs of life in the housing market. Alex Cohen reports.
Somali pirates hijacked a U.S. ship this week off the horn of Africa. Just how much do shipping companies need to spend to prevent these attacks? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Leaders of Asian nations will gather in Thailand to discuss restoring financial stability to the region more than a decade after Southeast Asia was the epicenter of another economic crisis. What has changed? Jeremy Hobson reports.
There's been optimism about the economy the past few weeks. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Businessweek's Mike Mandel and Fortune's Katie Benner about what to look for to see if we've really recovered, and what shape it will take.
The review Web site Yelp is unveiling a new feature that will allow businesses to publicly respond to user reviews. Jennifer Collins reports on what happens when everybody's a critic.
Microsoft will soon end support for XP in an effort to push its Vista operating system. But with many computers still running on XP and a lot of resistance to the newer system is this a good idea? Tamara Keith reports.
After meeting with his economic team, President Obama said there are "glimmers of hope" in the U.S. economy. As John Dimsdsale reports, the president also remains cautious.
Food safety for produce like spinach, peanuts and pistachios is ensured by the Food and Drug Administration, which doesn't have a system in place for checking offshore foods. Steve Henn reports.
French wines aren't doing particularly well right now. Even sales of Champagne have dropped from between 10-30 percent. Still, French producers say it's not the end of the world. Anita Elash reports why.
Japan has unveiled a stimulus package that calls for $150 billion in government spending. Renita Jablonski talks to Asian studies professor Jeff Kingston about goals for the stimulus and how it will be funded.
The Federal Reserve has begun advertising to moviegoers in nine states with high foreclosure rates in an effort to ward off foreclosure scams. The marketing may not be clever, but at least it's clear. Caitlan Carroll reports.
The Obama administration sent an $83 billion war supplemental to Congress, going back on his word to only fund wars through the normal budgeting process. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Steve Henn about why.
California farmers are struggling with the after-effects of a three-year drought and the lack of abundant water for their crops. But this could help create a more effective, conservative flow. Jennifer Collins reports.
The credit card arm of Bank of America has become more strict about its credit limits and is even raising the rates on customers who have good records. Tamara Keith reports how the bottom line is squeezing cardholders.
France is considering a law that would ban illegal downloaders from the Internet after three strikes. Stephen Beard reports the French president may have the will to enact the law because of French first lady Carla Bruni's singing career.
Baseball season has begun and staying on top of business this year is going to be a challenge. Steve Chiotakis talks to business of sports commentator Diana Nyad about how the sport may need to fight the slump.
A group of Christians staying vigilant over their carbon footprint for Lent is just one example of what the religious sect is doing to stay conscious of their eco-impact. Jennifer Collins reports on the effectiveness of a carbon fast.
President Obama is meeting with his economic team today to discuss what still needs to be done to reverse the fallout. Steve Chiotakis reviews the agenda Marketplace's Steve Henn, which includes the success of big bank stress tests.
Food pantries are facing a real problem — demand is at a record high while donations have dwindled. But instead of money, some people are donating the "fruits" of their labor. Caitlan Carroll reports.
Though the Chinese economy has slowed, Beijing has been getting more active and confident on the international economic stage. Reporter Scott Tong talks to Kai Ryssdal about how China is feeling after the G-20 summit.
Most businesses are suffering throughout Europe because of the recession. But not the mafia. Megan Williams reports on why the downturn is a great opportunity for organized crime.
Where did that pink slip come from? No, not from your boss. Jesse Sheidlower, editor-at-large for the Oxford English Dictionary, speaks to Kai Ryssdal about the term's origins.
Mark-to-Market accounting rules have gotten a bit looser, allowing companies more leeway to assign market value to an asset where no market exists. But commentator Paul Kedrosky says banks shouldn't have their own pricing rules.
The Obama administration is encouraging investment companies to create bailout funds aimed at ordinary investors. So what do people think about it? Joel Rose gauges public interest in the plan.
Results from stress tests 19 big banks were subjected to will soon be released. Regulators will meet with President Obama tomorrow to discuss what they should do with the results. John Dimsdale reports.
Stocks went soaring after Wells Fargo revealed higher-than-expected profits for the first quarter. But where did they get all that money and how is the rest of the banking sector standing up to the recession? Jeremy Hobson reports.
Wells Fargo inspires a market rally while Costco and Wal-Mart offer pretty disappointing same-store numbers last quarter. Steve Chiotakis gets a deeper analysis of the markets this morning with Marketplace's Steve Henn.
Bank shares are down in Ireland today on growing fears about the state of the Irish economy. Earlier this week, Dublin unveiled a second emergency budget to deal with the deepening crisis there. Stephen Beard reports.
The German government is trying to nationalize Hypo Real Estate to save it from collapse. But two American shareholders disagree with the move, and are considering legal action. Stephen Beard reports.
Moody's has taken Berkshire-Hathaway's credit rating was down from its AAA score, which will likely make it harder for the company to borrow. Steve Chiotakis talks to Steve Henn about how else the move will affect business.
A new academic commentary out this week says most comparisons of the economy now to The Great Depression are flawed. Renita Jablonski talks to economics correspondent Chris Farrell about what would be a more accurate barometer.
General Motors is putting some of its classic cars on the auction block today for the second time this year. The move saves GM on warehouse costs and makes some cash on the solid classic car market. Joel Rose reports.
Too much inventory can hurt a store's bottom line, so chains like Costco and Wal-Mart have been making sure to be vigilant about keeping their inventories tight. Tamara Keith reports how this helps retailers in the long run.
The normally lucrative Masters Golf Tournament hasn't been a sure-fire bet for profits this year. Companies that serve VIPs during the tournament are down. Jennifer Collins reports.
A group of condos have made a creditor blacklist for their involvement with speculators or prices in freefall. The issue is a result of new Fannie Mae lending practices and could shut down 1 in 4 Miami condos. Dan Grech reports.
The Treasury Department is planning to allow people to invest in funds set up to buy toxic assets from banks. Steve Henn reports big Wall Street firms stand to make a killing if all goes well, but there are some risks involved.
One Swedish city used to brag that it took in more Iraqi refugees than the entire U.S., until it ran out of jobs for the new expats. Now other towns in Sweden are trying to lure refugees with career opportunities. Alisa Roth reports.
Most people know about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but what about Ginnie Mae? As Nancy Marshall Genzer reports, she may be a possible model for her siblings Fannie and Freddie.
How much have you spent on your pet? Kai Ryssdal speaks with Michael Schaffer, author of "One Nation Under Dog," about why Americans spend so much on their pets.
The congressional panel in charge of overseeing TARP says it has achieved mixed results at best. Commentator Robert Reich says it's time the CEOs of the big banks that received trillions in bailout funds be held accountable.
Life insurance companies will soon be eligible for bailout money. But will life insurance firms fit under the expanding federal TARP? John Dimsdale reports.
The recession has slowed investment into alternative energy research. But some investors still see a bright future for clean tech. Caitlan Carroll reports.
Housing company stocks soared after two home building giants announced a merger. But the housing market is still struggling in the short run. So is the money being spent worth it? Mitchell Hartman reports.
Homebuilders Pulte and Centex announced today they're getting together in a $1.3 billion stock-for-stock deal. Steve Chiotakis talks to economics professor Peter Morici about how this will affect the markets.
The town of Zion, Ill. is hoping to get a boost in jobs as it hosts a minor league baseball team with major funding from actor Kevin Costner. Construction starts next month on a $15 million stadium. Joel Rose reports.
A new Dutch reality TV show is giving coworkers at an ailing business the chance to decide who gets fired at their firm. Stephen Beard explains why "Someone's Gotta Go" might have a cathartic effect in a downtrodden economy.
Government pensions are being hit hard by the economic fallout, with some experts saying the average state or local plan is just 50 percent funded right now. Steve Chiotakis covers the issue with Marketplace's Steve Henn.
Consumers are reassessing their purchases and more are spending on things they need than things they want. Some analysts say the economy is headed in this direction and that needs-based jobs will thrive. Caitlan Carroll reports.
Kodak, one of the major online photo repositories, will soon start charging user fees at the risk of photo deletion. Are Web fees for formerly free sites becoming the norm? Renita Jablonski talks to LA Times business columnist David Lazarus.
GM wants to take advantage of a section of bankruptcy code that would allow it to sell its top-performing assets and brands to a new GM right away. Jeremy Hobson reports why that's seen as a better option than selling the company in pieces.
Life insurance companies are major players in the financial system, and many invested in some of the same toxic mortgage-backed assets that got the banks in trouble. But Steve Henn reports government aid will soon be on its way.
Pundits and policymakers can't resist the temptation to compare the current downturn to the one in the 1930's. But commentator Will Wilkinson says our crisis is more comparable to recent crises from countries like Sweden or Japan.
The recession is providing a great cover for employers who have been looking to get rid of employees. Sally Herships reports on why some workers are getting the ax under the guise of a bad economy.
The Federal Communications Commission will soon dig into the National Broadband Plan to chart the future of high-speed Internet. What changes could it bring? Tamara Keith reports.
As demand for shipped goods falls, ships are left with no cargo. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Chris Sjodoff, vice president of a shipping services company, about how he takes care of his unused ships.
