The National Conference for Weights and Measures will soon kick off, and attendees will consider how to make the cost of ink more transparent to consumers. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Americans are spending less, saving more and finally striking a balance, so argues Marketplace's Chris Farrell, author of the new book, "The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More, and Live Better."
Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, fills Tess Vigeland in on the deals auto retailers are doling out in an effort to lure customers.
Jim Juback, blogger at Jubakpicks.com, joins Tess Vigeland to tackle investment basics, then they take on whether an investor can get E-Trade to wave inactivity fees.
Here's another wrinkle for new homebuyers: You'll have to pay more for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA says it had to toughen the rules because too many of its loans were going bad. Markeplace's Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.
Will the government follow through on its promise to create a consumer protection agency? Elizabeth Warren, professor of law at Harvard University and chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, talks to Tess Vigeland about why she still has hope for the agency and what scrapping it could mean for consumers.
Pricing mechanisms for virtually everything in our economy are tilted in favor of sellers. William Poundstone, author of "Priceless," talks with Kai Ryssdal about why we pay what we pay for items.
Many foodies may not think too highly of Taco Bell. But commentator Gustavo Arellano says with the recent death of the fast-food chain's creator, it's time to praise the fruits of his creation.
Clusterstock's John Carney and Reuters blogger Felix Salmon talk with Kai Ryssdal about whether President Obama's plans to limit the size and risks of Wall Street banks will work.
In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision on campaign financing, the companies who will turn corporate and union money into political ads look to win big. Mitchell Hartman reports.
With the health care overhaul bill stuck in Congress, insurance companies are grappling with nearly 30 million potential new customers disappearing. Now it's back to square one in a tough econmy. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
A lot of today's earnings reports are beating analysts' expectations. What does that say about the economy? Steve Chiotakis gets further analysts from Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial.
Chinese shoppers often form groups to get bulk bargain deals, known as a tuangou. Shoppers can walk away with big discounts on everything from a car to plastic surgery to chicken feet. Here's some more info.
President Obama announced new financial regulation proposals that would limit the scope and size of banks to reduce risk-taking. How will the new regulations affect banking on a global scale? Christopher Werth reports.
A recent study discredited a slew of stereotypes aimed at Latino workers who move to small rural towns. But in some areas, an increase in Hispanic migrants is straining school and hospital systems. Jeff Tyler reports.
For $4, Sundance fans can go to YouTube for any of five films available for rent from the festival. The site wants to rope in some indie cred to draw advertisers and eventually wants to charge for Hollywood films as well. Mitchell Hartman reports.
The House Financial Services Committee is looking into ways to limit banker salaries and bonuses. The hearing is timed to grab some of the attention bonuses and bank earning statements are getting. lately. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's John Dimsdale.
Republican pollster Frank Luntz has advised Environmental Defense Fund president Fred Krupp to frame the global warming pitch to the public in a way that highlights job creation and national security. Sarah Gardner reports.
China and the U.S. State Department are having a heated back-and-forth over Chinese Internet freedom. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Scott Tong about China's restrictions on censorship and its reaction to what it's called "information imperialism."
President Obama is hitting a community college in Lorain County, Ohio today to deliver a town hall-style address on unemployment. The trip could be a good opportunity for the president to reconnect with the public. Dan Bobkoff reports.
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.
If you're having a difficult time keeping up with your well-intentioned New Year's resolutions, don't worry. Commentator K.C. Cole says you have science on your side.
Coca Cola has been testing a smaller, 7.5-ounce can in New York and Washington D.C. amid worries about the unhealthy effects of soda. Sally Herships reports.
New York bureau chief Amy Scott talks with Kai Ryssdal about how Goldman Sachs made around $5 billion in profits last quarter, and what's going on with its executive compensation.
Slate's legal correspondent Dahlia Lithwick talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the Supreme Court's decision will change political campaigns, and how it will affect corporate America.
The Super Bowl is giving ad time to advocacy group Focus on the Family, which has run campaigns staunchly opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage. Such polarizing groups are traditionally shut out from buying those ads. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Hispanic migrants moving to rural towns for work are often vulnerable to an unwelcome response from the community. But a recent study puts many stereotypes to rest about the perceived negative impacts of Latino workers. Jeff Tyler reports.
Minivans get a bad rap for lacking style and general desirability. But automakers are making attempts at changing that public perception with new designs and features. Alisa Roth explores why.
Giant banks like Goldman Sachs have been doing extremely well in the markets, thanks in part to help from low interest rates. Amy Scott tracks bank earnings and explains where the profits developed.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is so adamant against the use of cell phones in cars he wants to see them completely banned behind the wheel. But automakers have made car technology nothing if not cell phone-friendly. Collin Campbell reports.
Investors in China fear the country's rapidly-growing economy can't slow down too much now without having major global consequences. Scott Tong explores China's increasing role in the world market.
President Obama is set to announce a plan to trim the size of big banks in this country that proved to be too big to fail during last year's financial crisis. Steve Chiotakis gets the details from Marketplace's John Dimsdale.
Google revealed last week that its systems had been attacked by China, and that the attack hit more than 30 companies. But none of those companies seem to be speaking out with Google in its dispute with China.
Mark Schapiro of the Center for Investigative Reporting talks with Kai Ryssdal about an article he wrote for Harper's Magazine, which discusses how we can measure a credit of carbon.
Some 40 million Americans live in poverty, and the odds are 50-50 that if you're born into poverty, you'll die poor. Stephen Smith profiles two friends who are trying to break the cycle.
The military is scrambling to decide what to do about some of the gunsights it's been buying for the Army and Marines. References to biblical passages are inscribed on them. Mitchell Hartman reports.
The markets have been down all day, and at one point the Dow Jones was down 189 points, making it one of the worst trading days of the year so far. What's happening? Alisa Roth reports.
With Republican Scott Brown winning the Massachusetts senatorial seat, the Democrats' filibuster-proof Senate majority is gone. Tom Mann of the Brookings Institution talks with Kai Ryssdal about what happens to President Obama's agenda now.
President Obama has ordered federal government agencies to bar companies that are delinquent on their taxes from getting any new government contracts. Bill Radke gets more from Marketplace's John Dimsdale.
The Federal Housing Administration is set to raise the premiums on mortgage insurance and tighten lending standards for some borrowers. Steve Chiotakis analyzes the move with Richard DeKaser of Woodley Park Research.
What happens when you get rear-ended on the highway and the other driver takes off without giving you their information? Bill Radke talks to L.A. Times business columnist David Lazarus, who retells this tale and its costly consequences.
Bank of England Governor Mervyn King wants to merge the IMF and G20, in hopes of creating a governing council that would encourage countries with high-savings rates to spend more at home. Christopher Werth reports.
A new study finds hydraulic fracturing, a process energy companies use to free up oil and gas reserves from rocks, can also contaminate ground water with known carcinogens. Environmental advocates want the process regulated. Sam Eaton reports.
Regulators in China are telling the country's major banks to get stingier with credit this year in an effort to keep the economy from overheating. Some fear the lending will lead to asset bubbles and inflation. Scott Tong reports.
A ProPublica study shows half of the state unemployment systems in the U.S. are deeply in debt. So far, states have borrowed $25 billion from the Feds in order to keep paying laid-off workers. Mitchell Hartman explores states' repayment options.
The White House has ordered that some high-value government data be made available online by the end of the month at data.gov, and Brett Neely reports with the right spin, tech heads can find a lucrative business.
For the British, Cadbury is almost as strong a part of the culture as Shakespeare, so a takeover by an American company hits hard. Christopher Werth gauges reactions from the general British public.
The election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts senatorial seat dissolves the Democrats' filibuster-proof Senate majority. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's John Dimsdale about how that will affect the White House agenda.
The hottest primetime soap opera in China has a few things that won't surprise you: infidelity, crooked business deals and… a housing bubble? Scott Tong reports on China's "Snail House."
President Obama came into office with an ambitious agenda, and promised not to hit up the middle class for more taxes to get it all done. Has he followed through on his promise? John Dimsdale reports.
Shareholders of Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway are expected to approve a stock split of "B" shares. Sarah Gardner reports the move could attract a lot more short-term investors.
Citigroup lost more than $7.5 billion in the final months of 2009. Most of the losses came from paying bailout money back to the government. Amy Scott reports.
George Cadbury's great-granddaughter, Felicity Loudon, is vehemently opposed to Kraft's takeover of the iconic British chocolatier. Bill Radke talks to Loudon about her next move in the face of Cadbury's shareholders.
Massachusetts voters elect a replacement for Senator Edward Kennedy today, and a Republican win would eliminate the Democrats' filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's John Dimsdale.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission will meet with consumer advocates today to move towards turning standards for crib safety from a voluntary practice to law. Rico Gagliano reports.
