Even modest, diversified and longterm-focused investors were thwarted by the collapse of Wall Street So what should they do next? Writer and author Jeffrey Goldberg thinks they should start by taking a good long look at their brokers.
Social networks are becoming a prime place to search for jobs as unemployment numbers continue to rise. Whether its through blogs, Twitter or Facebook, people are seeking out potential employers through alternative online sources.
Tess Vigeland and economics editor Chris Farrell answer listeners' pressing questions about whether the self-employed can get unemployment, buying disability insurance and the current state of the I Bond.
Cap and Trade is the linchpin of the government's effort to curb carbon emissions. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how the cap and trade model works.
Credit cards seem to be the scourge of the consumer these days. But LA Times columnist Meghan Daum insists that plastic isn't all bad. In fact, it's helped her through some pretty rough times.
When Sabrina Reigel moved to Southern California, she had no friends, lots of free time, and quickly racked up $40,000 worth of credit card debt. She talks about how she worked down her massive premium without losing her sanity.
Congress just passed a credit card consumer's bill of rights. But how will this new law protect card holders? Tess Vigeland and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd discuss the ins and out of the legislation.
The auto industry has been through some pretty tough times as of late. But Phil Reed of Edmunds.com says these harsh economic days equal better deals for consumers on the lookout for their next car or truck.
So how will this new credit card bill of rights directly affect consumers? Tess Vigeland welcomes a variety of experts to sound off about the pros and cons about the new law.
Marketplace's Brendan Newnam and Rico Gagliano talk with fellow staffers Jeremy Hobson, Phyllis Owens and Stacey Vanek-Smith about their favorite under-the-radar business stories this week: Air New Zealand matchmaking, college students heading to Canada, and Pringles potato chips.
The Memorial Day weekend is when many public swimming pools open up for the unofficial start of summer. But several pools may remain closed for part of the season due to a new law. Lisa Napoli reports.
T. Rowe Price's Andy Brooks and Fortune magazine's Leigh Gallagher talk with Kai Ryssdal about how to characterize what's going on in the market, and double checking optimism in the economy.
Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks some of the deepest discounts of the year. But in a recession, prices are already low. What can retailers do to attract shoppers? Joel Rose reports.
The major TV networks have wrapped up their advertising presentations at this year's upfront. MediaWeek's Michael Burgi talks with Kai Ryssdal about how some networks are trying to snare ad money by promising new ways to make ads stand out.
Many people take the time to get away on Memorial Day weekend. Is it the same during a recession? Perry Pillas owns a beachfront store in Maryland and talks with Kai Ryssdal about how his business is doing.
As the U.S. grapples with its first climate change bill, commentator Todd Buccholz says it could learn a lot from China's ambitious climate agenda and its stimulus plan.
The U.S. dollar was remarkably solid during much of the past year. But now the greenback has hit a low for the year and is on track for its biggest weekly fall in two months. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Steve Chiotakis talks about BankUnited and a potential thaw in the lending freeze with Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at S&P Equity Research in New York.
Cell phone companies are unveiling new smart phones this summer — and this time around, the battle will be won based on how smart they really are. Stacey Vanek-Smith takes notes from the trenches.
The dollar's getting hammered today amid fears the U.S. could be headed for a lower credit rating. Yesterday, Standard & Poor's lowered its outlook for the United Kingdom. Is a U.S. ratings downgrade on the way? Janet Babin reports.
When Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt eight years ago, it left a legacy of empty workshops and rusting equipment. But where developers feared to tread in this Pennsylvania town, the Sands casino saw opportunity. Joel Rose reports.
British Airways announced the worst loss in its history at $600 million, and the airline doesn't see things improving any time soon. But this could help the carrier win approval for an alliance with American Airlines. Stephen Beard reports.
The average college graduate today leaves school $22,000 in debt, and has job choices limited to what pays the most. Commentator Robert Reich offers a new strategy to cover the cost of education without worrying about money.
Gas prices may be rising steadily, but vacationers are still driven to travel this Memorial Day weekend. Jeremy Hobson reports oil prices won't get much worse, and cost per gallon may actually go down this summer.
Flordia's BankUnited had $13 billion in assets, but its demise will end up costing taxpayers nearly $5 billion. The bank has been sold to investors and re-opens today under the same name. Dan Grech reports.
The Obama administration is making fuel-efficiency regulations tougher. Commentator Paul Kedrosky says these reforms don't make much economic sense and offers an alternative to get more efficient cars built.
Muncie, Ind., was once a manufacturing hub, but the recession has taken nearly all of those jobs away. So the city is banking on a new piece of machinery to help get it somewhat back on track. Kai Ryssdal reports.
A new commission will look at what caused America's financial crisis. Sen. Kent Conrad helped co-author the bill to create the commission and talks with Kai Ryssdal about what he expects to find.
Soon many state and county offices will be temporarily closed as employees take unpaid leave. But it's not just local governments adopting furloughs to cut costs. Sam Eaton reports.
GMAC, the auto finance arm of General Motors, is set to collect billions in government aid. Why does it need more money and is this unfair to other automakers? Tamara Keith reports.
The E.U. opposes a major aviation bill on foreign aircraft repair stations in Congress, claiming it's a move to save American jobs. But U.S. labor unions backing the bill argue many foreign countries are not as rigorous on safety. Stephen Beard reports.
A Senate hearing today focuses on substandard drywall imported from China. Homeowners in the Southeast say it corrodes wires and makes people sick. But a ban Chinese drywall would be tricky for senators to pull off. Scott Tong reports.
The developer of the new World Trade Center wants more money from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. But the site owner worries there won't be enough demand for that office space. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Three months after President Obama signed the stimulus bill, some of his proposed projects are underway. Tamara Keith visits a work site in Silver Spring, Md., where workers are paving a highly traveled, highly potholed road.
The House is poised to approve the first ever climate bill, and that achievement hasn't come without some heated political debate. But Sam Eaton reports some of the fiercest battles are between businesses and their lobbying trade groups.
The White House is expected to roll out a number of proposals for new regulations on the way Wall Street operates, and that's got the industry on edge. Amy Scott looks at why market professionals are concerned.
GMAC already received $5 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program program back in December. Now, reports out say the Treasury Department is set to loan GMAC over $7 billion more. Janet Babin reports.
There are some good signs in the banking sector: credit markets are thawing further and some banks are racing to pay back their bailout funds. But where's consumer lending? Jeremy Hobson reports.
Washington is gearing up for a fight over who should regulate our financial system and what steps to take to protect the public from future financial disasters. Steve Henn reports.
Congress is debating how to pay for a health care overhaul and what form a new system will take. Lawmakers are trying to find a middle ground, but commentator Robert Reich says a lot may be lost in the process.
A House committee is weighing legislation to slash greenhouse gases. The centerpiece of the strategy will be a 'Cap and Trade' system. Sustainability reporter Sarah Gardner breaks down how it'll work with Kai Ryssdal.
Each year millions of high school students take SAT preparation courses. But a new report says those programs do little to improve scores. Tamara Keith reports.
California voters rejected a slew of propositions meant to close the Golden State's budget deficit. With so many state and municipal workers, California's like the General Motors of states. But is it too big to fail? Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Bank of America stock is up, but analyst Juli Niemann of Smith, Moore, and Company in St. Louis isn't convinced the stock sale means much. She tells Steve Chiotakis why.
Health insurers have pledged to help curb rising health care costs. Bill Radke talks to Los Angeles Times business columnist David Lazarus, who explores the insurance industry's past to see whether insurers are really on board this time.
Irish low-cost airline Ryan Air is introducing some new fees today, including one where passengers will be charged for checking in online. Stephen Beard reports what else the carrier may ding its customers.
Senators are exploring ways to fund health care reform, including a sin tax on sugary soft drinks. But the White House prefers a different approach. John Dimsdale reports where the groups diverge in funding ideas.
The new Whole Foods in Chicago isn't just a place to pick up the groceries. The three-floor mega-shopolis includes a bar, full food court and a place to park a kayak. Adriene Hill explores how "fun" might help the store in a recession.
Game developer 3D Realms has been working on a sequel to its Duke Nukem 3D game for 12 years. But this week, the company confirmed it's laid off the entire development team due to lack of funding. Rico Gagliano reports.
The Obama administration wants a new federal agency to police home mortgages, mutual funds and credit cards, which right now is spread over several agencies. But exactly who will regulate what is still under consideration. Janet Babin reports.
Gregg Steinhafel, chairman and CEO of Target Corp., talks about the company's strategy for weathering the recession and expanding its place in the retail market.
Traders may be counting on the demand for crude to recover as the global downturn bottoms out. But a huge surplus of crude may keep oil prices under pressure. Stephen Beard reports.
Kai Ryssdal reviews what listeners had to say about stories from our 'Next American Dream,' including what it means to have a bachelor's degree and the freedom of renting, as well as reaction to Chrysler's dealerships closing.
A year ago, Dan Ariely's book "Predictably Irrational" was released. Since then a lot has changed, and his book has been expanded. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about why behavioral economists are getting more respect these days.
Most of the banks' problems have stemmed from residential real estate. But a wave of losses from commercial real estate loans could tip more banks over the edge. Amy Scott reports.
Congress has passed a measure requiring credit card companies to go easy on struggling borrowers. But that could be bad news for people with sterling credit. Jeremy Hobson reports.
The Obama administration's new fuel efficiency standards will require vehicles to get at least 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. What does this mean for cars of the future? Tamara Keith reports.
