Los Angeles Times Consumer Columnist David Lazarus and Tess Vigeland get to the bottom of a few issues, including a very convincing scam that involves a job offer from Texaco.
Jane Bryant Quinn, who has been teaching us how to manage our money for almost three decades, just updated her classic bestseller, "Making the Most of Your Money Now." She talks with Tess Vigeland.
For students fearful of tackling the onerous Free Application for Federal Student Aid, there is hope in the form of "College Goal Sunday" events at local YMCAs, churches and schools. Caitlan Carroll reports.
We're used to hearing that a good education is a ticket to a good job, but millions of Americans are feeling stuck in dead-end careers because they can't afford college. But that's changing in a few places around the country. Laurie Stern reports.
Tess Vigeland takes your comments on our coverage of moral issues, from walking away from your mortgage, to a manager helping employees make ends meet. Plus, a few more details on Tess' visit to a $29 movie theater.
Some New York City entrepreneurs have turned the recession into a moment of opportunity, creating the Big Apple's first small business incubator. Ben Calhoun reports.
A study by the Alliance for Excellent Education says 1 out of 4 high school students in rural areas won't graduate. And some experts say without action from federal policy makers, rural high schools will fall further behind. John Dimsdale reports.
The Labor Department reported 20,000 job cuts in January. Some analysts were expecting job creation. Steve Chiotakis reviews the cuts and falling unemployment rate with economist Michelle Meyer from Barclays Capital in New York.
A new reality TV series features bosses from the likes of 7-Eleven and Churchill Downs working entry-level jobs to find out what really goes on in their companies. Amy Scott reports.
David Hammer, a reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune and life-long Saints fan, talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the Super Bowl is overshadowing The Big Easy's mayoral election.
The acronym for Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain is being used to designate those countries, whose weak economies and debt are causing concern around the globe — but especially in Europe. Stephen Beard reports.
Fortune Magazine's Leigh Gallagher and Clusterstock's John Carney talk with Kai Ryssdal about what's happening with the U.S. labor market and Europe's debt problems.
The January unemployment rate dropped from 10% to 9.7%, yet 20,000 jobs were lost. What do the latest numbers say about where we are headed with this economy? John Dimsdale reports.
The U.K. government commissioned a designer to come up with a shatter-proof beer glass to help lower the costs associated with pub fight injuries. Stephen Beard reviews how the glass works.
At a press conference in Nagoya, Japan, Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologized for the severe recall and issues related to the company's cars. Steve Chiotakis reviews his statements with Marketplace's Amy Scott.
The once-strong resale value of Toyota cars is being challenged by the automaker's string of recent brake and gas pedal problems. Will dealers be able to lure customers with the incentive of a brand trade-in? Alisa Roth reports.
Reports indicate Google is working with the National Security Agency to prevent major attacks like the one it suffered last month. Does giving the government access to our Google information put us at risk of a privacy breach? Bob Moon reports.
Stock markets around the world are continuing to fall today as investors worry that a debt crisis in Greece may spread to other European countries. Bill Radke gets the latest from Marketplace's Amy Scott.
Regular people are saving more and spending less. While this is a rational response to a tumultuous economy, it's not necessarily the best thing for the country. Steve Chiotakis finds out why from Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich.
The Swiss central bank is trying to help prevent smaller eurozone countries from causing a continental financial crisis by buying as many euros as it can. Steve Chiotakis gets the story from Marketplace's Stephen Beard.
The Labor Department releases unemployment figures for January later this morning, and some analysts are betting the economy added jobs for the second time in three months. Other analysts disagree. Amy Scott 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.
In this final note, Kai Ryssdal reviews a new practice a New York restaurant is undertaking: trading stock certificates for food. But not all shares will you buy a steak.
Nearly nine million Americans are underemployed — people who have had their hours reduced, work part time or are on contract. Thanks to the recession, this group has never been bigger. Dan Bobkoff reports.
Fiction writer John Lanchester talks with Kai Ryssdal about his book, "I.O.U.," and the true-life story about what has happened to the global banking system over the past few years.
Apple's hugely popular devices don't run Adobe Flash, which is causing tension between the two companies. Why would apple shun Flash? Commentator Farhad Manjoo offers a few ideas.
The government is delving into social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to solve crimes and recruit soldiers. But it's not clear what guidelines government agencies have to follow. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Heinz is replacing the little foil squeeze packets you find at fast-food restaurants with a new packet they call "Dip & Squeeze." Mitchell Hartman reports.
U.S. spending on health care hit an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2009, and taxpayers are footing more of that bill than anyone thought. Gregory Warner reports.
As Toyota's problems continue, dealers are stuck with inventory hanging around and having to fix customers' cars. Brett Neely reports on how the automaker's issues are affecting one dealership.
The Labor Department reports this morning new jobless claims rose by about 8,000. Does this seem like a hold up? Steve Chiotakis talks to Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial.
Apple's new iPad tablet has touched off a fight with Adobe over the new technology's exclusion of Flash software, a snub that started with the iPhone. Are the two brawlers evenly matched? Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti's six-foot bronze sculpture called "Walking Man 1" sold for a world record price of over $104 million last night. Many experts are hailing this as a rebound for the art market. Stephen Beard reports.
Underground shale drilling in northern Pennsylvania is causing a stir amongst environmentalists, who say thousands of new gas wells could pose serious threats to drinking water. Joel Rose reports.
Toyota will re-start auto production on Monday, with workers installing a redesigned gas pedal to fix the problem that started the recall. But the car maker is used to quick jumpstarts of its assembly line. Alisa Roth reports.
Why does the number of smokers in China exceed the U.S. population? And how is the country trying to turn that around? Steve Chiotakis takes the latest Marketplace Globalist Quiz with theglobalist.com editor-in-chief Stephan Richter.
Advocates for reforming chemical regulation are demanding the Senate enforce tougher rules on toxins. Jennifer Collins reports why scientists and other chemical reform supporters are pushing for higher safety standards.
Between repairs and lost sales, Toyota is estimating a total loss of about $2 billion from the gas pedal recall — an especially bitter pill following news of a highly profitable quarter. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Amy Scott.
President Obama met with 11 governors to try to get support for his energy policies, which would shift the nation away from fossil fuels. He's still got come convincing to do. Sarah Gardner reports.
Right after CBS agreed to run an anti-abortion spot during the Super Bowl, it rejected a submission from gay dating Web site Man Crunch. That move is generating a lot of publicity. Sean Cole reports.
Commentator David Frum just came back from a State Department-sponsored trip to Venezuela and sends along his observations about the curious state of its economy.
Some Wall Street banks are putting so-called clawbacks into their employees' bonuses this year. Jeremy Hobson reports on whether the compensation provisions will work to avert excessive risk.
George Mason University Economist Tyler Cowen talks with Kai Ryssdal about what the old Haitian economy used to be and what it will take to build a new economy.
The Obama administration's program to help homeowners stay in their homes by reducing monthly payments has been slow to make progress. Now there's talk the Treasury Department may tweak formulas to make loan modifications easier. Mitchell Hartman explains.
It's turning into another rough week for Toyota. Reporter Alisa Roth talks with Kai Ryssdal about how much the carmaker's problems will cost and whether people will still be willing to buy its cars.
Employment service ADP reports private employers laid off 22,000 workers in January, the smallest drop in a year. Steve Chiotakis talks to Richard Dekaser of Woodley Park Research.
Japan has ordered Toyota to investigate possible problems with brakes on its new Prius hybrid model. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Amy Scott about customers' complaints and how they will further impact Toyota.
Buckling to government pressure, Citibank will withhold a fee on low checking accounts. How does this play into the president's agenda for banking regulation? Bill Radke talks to Los Angeles Times business columnist David Lazarus.
Congress is now investigating electronics systems on Toyota cars following the automaker's massive recall tied to faulty gas pedals. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Amy Scott about how this latest development might affect repairs.
Analysts estimate Facebook earned $500 million in 2009. But with 175 million registered users logging on every day, the site can generate much more revenue. Rico Gagliano reports what the social networker might try to turn a bigger profit.
Toyota's case of faulty gas pedals looks bad for the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, which has the authority to demand safety info from car and tire makers. John Dimsdale explores how the commission plans to crack down on auto safety.
The European Commission has OK'd Greece's latest austerity plan, but economists question whether the euro can survive the deep cuts the country is proposing on its public spending. Stephen Beard reports.
AIG had promised to pay employees nearly $200 million in bonuses next month, but buckled to pay cut pressure from pay czar Kenneth Feinberg. Amy Scott reports $100 million will go to workers in advance who agreed to the cuts.
Author Gabriel Thompson talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "Working In The Shadows," and his experiences being employed in jobs on the bottom rung of the economic ladder.
Cities like Boston, Minneapolis, and Denver are introducing a new way to get around: bike share. But these programs aren't just a ride in the park. Andrea Bernstein reports.
Kai Ryssdal reviews what listeners had to say about stories involving housing sales, digital cameras, ink cartridges for printers, and money in politics.
Almost everything about the coming financial reforms is still up for grabs, except the creation of a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Commentator David Skeel says we need to watch out for some impediments.
The biggest moment on Oscar night is when Best Picture is announced and all the producers file onto the stage. But when the nominations were unveiled, there was something missing. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
European Union officials will soon give their verdict on the perilous state of Greece's public finances. Stephen Beard reports markets around the world will be closely watching for an announcement.
The president proposes using bailout funds to help community banks lend more to small firms so they can start hiring again. Will it work? Mitchell Hartman reports.
President Obama is pitching a plan to boost small business by giving $30 billion in repaid bank bailout money to community banks. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Amy Scott about how this plan could help create jobs.
