To conclude our credit-focused episode, listeners offer some thoughts and anecdotes about their experiences with credit cards and the hard lessons they've learned in the process.
Banks are reporting better-than-expected earnings this week, but experts say the next problem might involve credit card defaults. Tess Vigeland talks to credit counseler Gail Cunningham about helping consumers work through their debt.
Credit isn't always a bad thing, especially if you're careful and focus on saving when times are good. Economics editor Chris Farrell discusses the pros and cons of credit.
Identity theft can be both frustrating and costly for the victims. Reporter Stacey Vanek-Smith visits one couple who is still trying to put their credit back together after eight years of identity theft.
Most Americans have a credit score above 660, but how many have a perfect score? Reporter Rico Gagliano finds out how difficult it is to get a perfect 850.
Tess Vigeland and Chris Farrell answer listeners' pressing questions about using a home equity line of credit as an emergency reserve and closing a high balance credit card.
Is the FICO credit scoring system fair? MSN personal finance columnist Liz Pulliam Weston says the FICO system might be flawed, but it's better than the old way.
Even the smallest change to your FICO score can affect many aspects of your financial life. Janet Babin reports on how a minor credit score drop affected the Diebel family from Winter Park, Fla.
Americans haven't always had a love affair with borrowing and credit. Stephen Smith reports on how General Motors and the automobile paved the way for consumer credit nearly a century ago.
Tecktonik began as a dance style in the middle class suburbs south of Paris. Now it's a registered trademark that even has its own brand of duvet covers. As John Laurenson reports, not everyone's happy about that.
Marketplace's Tess Vigeland and Amy Scott have been revisiting many of the places they hit last fall to see how people are coping with the downturn. They speak to Kai Ryssdal about whether people, like an Ohio car salesman, are now feeling more optimistic or worse about the economy.
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Citibank have all reported better-than-expected earnings for the last quarter. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Reuters blogger Felix Salmon and Clusterstock.com's John Carney about whether the good times will last.
Founders of the file-sharing Web site The Pirate Bay have been found guilty of violating copyright laws. Will the ruling change file sharing? Rico Gagliano reports.
Citigroup is the latest big bank to post big earnings — a $1.6 billion profit in the first quarter. But with the economy still far from sound, how have the banks been able to post such big profits? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public safety, which could lead to sweeping regulations across several industries. Business groups want Congress to legislate greenhouse gas emissions instead. Steve Henn reports.
USA Network averaged more viewers last quarter than any cable network in history. What are they doing right? Bill Radke talks to entertainment watcher Michael Speier, who explains what TV shows need to be successful now.
First-quarter numbers suggest Volkswagen may have pulled ahead of Toyota and General Motors in global sales. Stephen Beard reports how the automaker has benefited from its powerful presence in emerging markets like China and Brazil.
The recession hit Cleveland hard, and Cavaliers player Lebron James may be the best attraction the city's got right now. But he could take his starpower elsewhere when his contract expires next year. Rico Gagliano reports.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to set up a committee to find what and who is responsible for the economic fallout. Steve Henn reports Congress may have to fight hard against a financial industry unwilling to talk.
John Genest was tired of getting into trouble because of his drunk dialing, so he developed an iPhone application to help him out. And his isn't the only popular regret-prevention product out there. Alex Goldmark reports.
YouTube is partnering with Sony, CBS, the BBC and others to bring free TV shows, movies and other professionally-created content to its viewers. The move is an effort to attract bigger ad revenue. Dan Grech reports.
The Labor Department will issue state-by-state unemployment figures today for March. Regions where jobless claims are high will vary, as will the solutions for getting states out of their downward spiral. John Dimsdale reports.
College is the place most people first experience using credit. As part of the series Road To Ruin, Tess Vigeland asks students at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. about their credit knowledge.
Mexico's tourism industry is launching a counter-offensive in the wake of rising drug-trade violence. It's trying to lure tourists who may have been scared by negative news reports. Dan Grech reports.
Shannon O'Neil, a fellow for Latin American Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, talks to Kai Ryssdal about Mexico's economic stability and what it means for the United States.
Marketplace's Tess Vigeland revisits a barbershop in Jefferson City, Mo., where six months ago the owner and his customers were taking market woes in stride. Not much has changed, except they really don't like those bailouts.
Rosetta Stone, the language software maker, is one of the few companies to file an IPO this year. With a strong market debut, will other companies follow suit? Jennifer Collins reports.
The housing market is struggling to recover even with the Obama administration's $75 billion foreclosure prevention program. Commentator Barry Nalebuff says to get housing back on track we need a federal home equity insurance program.
Mall operator General Growth Properties has filed for bankruptcy, the largest real estate company to go belly up in history. As Stacey Vanek-Smith reports, to survive in this recession, malls are making themselves over.
JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says his bank won't participate in the government's program to rid banks' balance sheets of toxic assets. What does this mean for the program and the banking industry? Jeremy Hobson reports.
Unemployment claims and the profit and earnings reports from JP Morgan are two factors driving the market this morning. Steve Chiotakis gets a deeper analysis from Jim Dunigan of PNC Wealth Management.
The G-20 summit set up a blacklist to crack down on tax havens. But campaigners at a rally in London say the move is just a small, tentative step in the right direction. Stephen Beard reports.
Tess Vigeland revisits an investors club at a barbershop in Jefferson City, Mo., that she first met six months ago. Although the stock market's shaved off some of their investments' value, these guys are watching for growth to return.
The Treasury has finally launched its $75 billion loan modification program to help struggling homeowners, and analysts predict the biggest wave of foreclosures is yet to hit. Dan Grech reports.
President Obama heads to Mexico on his way to the Summit of the Americas, where drug violence, trade and the devaluation of the peso are central concerns. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Dan Grech.
Rosetta Stone plans to hold its initial stock offering today, despite being in one of the worst bear markets in years. Jennifer Collins reports on why the language-instruction company is going public now versus waiting until later.
President Obama plans to put $8 billion into high-speed and intercity rail this year. But many are skeptical about the investment. John Dimsdale reports that rail has not been a cost-effective transportation option worldwide.
Google releases first-quarter earnings today, and some investors are worried about the company's investment in YouTube, which only makes up to 2 percent of Google's revenue. Rico Gagliano explores what YouTube brings to the table.
President Obama is opening the door slightly to relations with Cuba. Could this mean lifting the four-decade trade embargo? Steve Chiotakis talks to economics correspondent Chris Farrell about how both countries could stand to gain.
China's latest GDP numbers indicate the weakest growth since 1992, but other indicators for lending and new infrastructure suggest its economy is coming back. Scott Tong explores the potential for a V-shaped recovery.
Some Indians are hoping a politician named Mayawati will be elected their prime minister. As a Dalit — the lowest of Indian castes — her rise may give others hope. But most people of that social level are still struggling. Rico Gagliano reports.
With Goldman Sachs joining the ranks of banks that want to return their TARP funds, some are wondering if the Obama administration's banking policy is working. Commentator David Frum says it depends on which policy you're talking about.
Six months ago people in Youngstown, Ohio, were abuzz about the Chevy Cruze being built in a nearby plant. Marketplace's Amy Scott checks in to see how residents are coping now that GM is near bankruptcy and the unemployment rate is nearing 14%.
The Federal Reserve has been buying mortgage-backed securities, driving mortgage rates to historic lows. But the U.S. Treasury has been doing the same thing, and nobody's seemed to notice. Steve Henn reports.
Obese passengers who can't fit into their assigned seats on United Airlines flights will now be required to buy a second ticket — even if there's an open seat. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Facing a $2 billion shortfall in revenue, Hawaii is mulling an increased tax on hotel bills. But that might not be a good thing for the state's tourism business. Jennifer Collins reports.
Federal regulators have been reticent to release results from stress tests given to big banks, but now they plan to release certain details. What's the benefit of making those details public? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
OK, we know you've been meaning to get your taxes done, but it's deadline day and you're crunching. If you're still putting it off, we found some fellow procrastinators for you to commiserate with on Twitter.
Is more information on the markets helpful overall? Steve Chiotakis talks to Henry Blodgett, editor of Clusterstock.com, who says more data is a good thing — as long as you're not using it to delude yourself about the recession.
Gannett releases earnings tomorrow, and the nation's largest newspaper company is doing what it can to survive changing times for the news business. Consolidating some small papers has been one option. Jennifer Collins reports.
Today eBay says it plans to spin off Skype through an IPO. Although it's enjoyed healthy profits, eBay has struggled to include Skype in its business model. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Stephen Beard.
Swiss banking giant UBS announced more substantial losses and thousands of job cuts, many of which are in the U.S. The bank is making radical moves in order to preserve its franchise. Stephen Beard reports.
Chrysler has 16 days to make a deal with Italian automaker Fiat at the risk of losing government money and returning to bankruptcy court. First priority for Chrysler: paying back banks and hedge funds. Jeremy Hobson reports.
The government is sitting on millions of dollars in uncollected tax refunds. Bill Radke talks to Los Angeles Congressman Brad Sherman, who explains how he's using his Web site to make his constituents aware of what they may be owed.
An invasion of bedbugs has returned to the U.S. after being eradicated over 50 years ago. The EPA is trying to get rid of the pest again, but it's slippery. Joel Rose reports that patience will be key.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner believes the only way to rescue the economy is to get the big banks to lend money again. But commentator Robert Reich says the big issue is the continued lack of enough demand in the economy.
The Obama administration wants to be open about the health of the nation's 19 largest financial institutions. But how does it reveal information about low-scoring banks without prompting runs on them? Dan Grech reports.
With summer traveling season right around the corner, Kai Ryssdal speaks with airline analyst Richard Aboulafia about why earnings are expected to be down, and how consumers are helping the industry more than business travelers.
With Tax Day fast approaching, Kai Ryssdal speaks with behavioral economist Dan Ariely about why some people are tempted to cheat on their taxes and what can be done about it.
Germany has banned a genetically modified corn seed developed by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto, claiming the product is a threat to the environment. Stephen Beard reports.
Marketplace's Amy Scott revisits members of a coffee klatch she met six months ago in Charlotte, N.C. Some of the folks have avoided investment losses while others have seen their portfolios hit hard. All hope to see the markets recover.
