Austan Goolsbee, one of the president's economic advisors, weighed in on the subject of "too big to fail," saying we might be losing our big chance to change the way the financial system works. Alisa Roth reports.
The current U.S. credit limit is set at $12.1 trillion, and Congress will soon have to raise the legal limit on how much money the government can borrow. As Steve Henn reports, the administration is aiming for over $13 trillion.
Several art auctions over the past few weeks have been turning over healthy sales for dealers. Kai Ryssdal follows up with art advistor Richard Polsky, who had a painting this week in a Sotheby's auction.
A dollar menu may seem like a great way for McDonald's to cut a profit in hard economic times, but franchisees can get grilled on food costs. Ashley Milne-Tyte explores how the fast food chain can benefit from cheaper items.
The U.S. trade deficit shot up in its biggest monthly jump in a decade. Imbalances between what we buy from overseas and what we sell abroad can be an economic drag, so John Dimsdale takes a look at the brighter side.
Best Buy has been test marketing electric bicycles, motorcycles and Segways in 19 stores on the West Coast. Mitchell Hartman cruised his local outlet in Portland, Ore. to explore whether the gear was a stretch for the electronics retailer.
Personal finance expert Beth Kobliner and her teenage daughter, Rebecca, join Tess Vigeland to discuss "The Talk" — about money and, well, that other thing.
Two Portland families join Tess Vigeland on stage to share their philosophies on kids and money. And from the Oregon Children's Theater production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," the Oompa Loompas pay a visit.
Tess Vigeland welcomes former professional basketball player Chris Dudley of the Portland Trailblazers, who is now a certified financial planner — and a parent of three.
There's a limit on how much money the federal government can borrow. So the White House is asking Congress to hike up the national debt limit. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
A new lifestyle magazine aimed at nurses will soon hit stores. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports on a push to bring a little glamor into hardworking nurses' lives.
British Airways and Spain's Iberia are merging to create the world's third-largest airline. Stephen Beard reports there are a few things to work out first.
Each week on Marketplace Money, host Tess Vigeland looks at the week's major national and international stories that will impact the average listener's wallet.
Next month, President Obama will host an employment summit at the White House to find new ways to get Americans back to work. Steve Henn talks to experts and explores how the administration might be able to do this successfully.
The Obama administration is looking for ways to bring down record government deficits, and it's reportedly considering TARP. Not all of the bank bailout money has been spent. John Dimsdale explains how it might work.
When it comes to online drug ads, the Food and Drug Administration hasn't quite figured out the rules on getting out the warnings. So drug companies, Internet companies and regulators are meeting in Washington. Jeremy Hobson reports.
Before the financial crisis, real estate investors saw potential profits everywhere. Now their properties aren't worth what they sold for, and it's turning into a problem for middle- and working-class renters. Alisa Roth reports.
Chile's economy has become much more consumer-centric over the past few years, and Chileans are slipping into American-like personal debt patterns. Annie Murphy explores how Wal-Mart stands to benefit from Chileans' debt cycles.
With national debt reaching doomsday figures, the U.S. sure could use a hero. And commentator Todd Buchholz says that hero may be a vigilante riding in from the Far East — in the form of Chinese leaders concerned about their investments.
Being in a successful rock band may be great for your personal finances, but getting there can be expensive. Kai Ryssdal talks to Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie about the music business and the band's new single on the 'Twilight' soundtrack.
David Wyss, chief economist at Standard and Poor's, talks with Steve Chiotakis about whether unemployment is a threat to free trade, and what President Obama is doing to create jobs.
Wal-Mart's profits rose 3.2%, but the company says sales at stores open at least a year fell slightly. Reporter Nancy Marshall Genzer talks with Steve Chiotakis about what's going on at Wal-Mart.
The Glass-Steagall Act was supposed to keep retail banks from doing investment banking and vice versa. It was repealed 10 years ago, but some would like to see it reinstated. Alisa Roth reports.
As the dollar's value has dropped, gold has hit record highs, and now supplies are running low. The Daily Telegraph's Ambrose Evans-Pritchard talks about all things gold with Stacey Vanek-Smith.
In the boom years, companies loaded up on loans. But now there are concerns about the corporate debt cliff we still don't have a parachute for. Jeremy Hobson reports.
The FDA is considering developing rules for how drug companies can advertise online. Reporter Nancy Marshall Genzer talks the details with Steve Chiotakis.
Private security firm Blackwater lost its rich contract with the State Department in Iraq, and we're still finding out why. Kai Ryssdal talks to reporter Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times on new information about Blackwater.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner continues to repeat the official mantra that the U.S. supports a strong dollar. But some currency traders believe the official policy doesn't mind a weak dollar. John Dimsdale reports.
Retail stores are getting a jump on Black Friday with big sales ahead of schedule. So with so many discounts at consumers' whims, why even bother with Black Friday? Ashley Milne-Tyte gets opinions from shoppers.
A report out today from the United Nations Children's Fund links poor nutrition to a third of all child deaths under the age of 5. Jeff Tyler reports that hunger is, in theory, one of those problems that money could easily solve.
The WIC federal nutrition program has just undergone a makeover, and vouchers are now good for fresh produce and healthy foods. This switch has put thousands of WIC-certified stores through some changes of their own. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
The Justice Department has indicted eight computer hackers who prosecutors say pulled off a global ATM heist last year. Jeremy Hobson explores the modern age of bank robbery and the more commonplace presence of digital financial fraud.
Cownose rays are becoming a growing menace on fishing in the Cheasapeake Bay. So some local oystermen are finding ways to turn the predators into a meal. But to make the rays more appetizing, they need some good marketing. Sabri Ben-Achour reports.
When Americans junked their old cars under the Cash for Clunkers program, they replaced them with more efficient, smaller vehicles. Commentator David Frum draws some larger economy lessons from Detroit's recent troubles.
Richard DeKaser, president of Woodley Park Research, talks with Steve Chiotakis about whether Sen. Dodd's push to cut back on the Federal Reserve's power is a good idea, and what's going on with layoffs.
The head of the World Bank is asking whether Asian countries are bouncing back too hard. Asia correspondent Scott Tong talks about whether Asian countries are in danger of overheating with Bill Radke.
The markets have been on a tear, the economy is growing and lots of people are saying the recession is ending. But, layoffs continue. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
L.A. Times columnist David Lazarus talks with Bill Radke about why more businesses aren't focusing on customer service with so many consumers reluctant to spend.
The head of Britain's central bank is issuing a grim forecast for his country's economy. European correspondent Stephen Beard talks the details with Bill Radke.
Two former Bear Stearns hedge-fund managers have been found not guilty of lying to investors. Reporter Nancy Marshall Genzer talks with Steve Chiotakis about what this means for prosecutors pursuing charges against other Wall Street execs.
What's the best way to handle giving an allowance? How do you introduce kids to the concept of credit? We asked people in the Public Insight Network these and other common questions relating to kids and money.
During his eight-day swing through Asia, President Obama will spend three days with Chinese officials. To get some idea of what might be at the top of the president's list of topics, Kai Ryssdal talked with China scholar Kenneth Lieberthal.
Google is buying a company called AdMob, which specializes in placing ads on mobile devices. Smart phones and the like are expected to be the new frontier for marketers. With Google in the game, the stakes just got higher. Joel Rose reports.
