Week of March 8th, 2010

A recent report by the Federal Reserve said Americans cut more than $90 billion from their credit card debt from 2008 to 2009, but CardHub.com's Odysseas Papadimitriou says that isn't necessarily good news.

Question: If I put most of my retirement savings into a fund that takes the year of my retirement into account, (Vanguard Target Retirement fund…

Holy crap.

Conan O'Brien is contractually barred from appearing on TV for several months, so he's taking his show on the road. Why? Jeremy Hobson reports.

The Yugo may be one of the worst cars in history, but it can teach us a lot about the auto industry. Author Jason Vuic talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the 80s car caused a frenzy of excitement, and then horror.

Authorities in China have given the go-ahead to reopen a big smelting plant in Shanxii Province that was closed because of lead concerns. Scott Tong reports on how things are now bearing out at one of the worst poisoning sites.

The financial world is abuzz over the new 2,200-page report on the collapse of Lehman Brothers. It is a searingly thorough investigation, the kind…

The Big Money's Heidi Moore and Clusterstock's John Carney talk with Kai Ryssdal about whether the latest Lehman Brothers report is surprising and whether it will lead to regulation.

London has lost its crown as the world's leading financial center. It now shares the top spot with New York. Stephen Beard reports taxes and regulation are to blame.

The Federal Reserve is reporting that consumer debt has fallen at record rates. But not necessarily because we're all saving and skimping. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.

A bankruptcy examiner report has found that negligence and manipulation on the part of top executives at Lehman Brothers contributed to the firm's collapse. Amy Scott reports on a piece of accounting chicanery known as "Repo 105."

Commentator David Sax talks about why the art of tipping needs to change.

Tess Vigeland takes comments from listeners, including their positive experiences with banks, and their opinions about a consumer protection agency and our coverage of the new Hollywood futures exchange.

Kiplinger's Kevin McCormally joins Tess Vigeland just in time for tax season, and answers listeners' pressing questions.

Things don't always go as planned for retirees moving to places like Bend, Ore. Ethan Lindsey reports.

Kathy Kristof of CBS MoneyWatch joins Tess Vigeland to answer listener questions, including how U.S. citizens working overseas can save for retirement.

Consumer Reports' Noreen Perrotta talks with Tess Vigeland about the right way to switch banks.

A New Jersey company says it's come up with a way to keep people from defaulting on their underwater mortgages. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Tess Vigeland talks with MSN columnist Jim Jubak about last year's stock market plunge, whether people who chose to get out of stocks made the right decision, and the recovery since then.

This week: Who is Carlos Slim, the anniversary of stocks hitting rock bottom, Prius mileage, and "The Hurt Locker" wins the Oscar for Best Picture.

I'm the Brigadier who doesn't have a TV, so I'm always tromping around online to find the commercials we comment on. This week, however, I found…

A new Federal Reserve report says total US household debt fell in 2009, the first drop since records began in 1945. But before anybody gets too…

There's still a big hole in the ground at the site of the World Trade Center in Manhattan because of a stalemate between the site's developer and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Traffic congestion clogs the streets in Delhi, which was one of the first Indian cities to fuel its rickshaws with compressed natural gas to cut down on smog. Now it plans to go a step further. Raymond Thibodeaux reports.

A report compiled by a British consulting firm finds that New York has tied London as the best place for banking and finance. Europe correspondent Stephen Beard talks with Bill Radke about why London has lost its footing as top financial dog.

The Food and Drug Administrating is expected to decide whether to approve a new drug for diabetes that diabetics could inject once a week. Gregory Warner reports.

The Commerce Department says February retail sales rose 0.3%. David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor's, talks with Steve Chiotakis about how important the retail sales number is and which stores experienced big increases.

More than a hundred companies are set to display their water filtration systems at a trade show in Orlando. Caitlan Carroll reports on whether the industry can succeed.

A bankruptcy examiner in the Lehman Brothers case has officially outlined the final days of that firm. Marketplace's Alisa Roth talks with Steve Chiotakis about what's in the 2,200-page report and what happens next.

Happy Friday. This morning, go inside the purchase of a toxic asset, why Wall Street hates Elizabeth Warren and a coroner's report on Lehman…

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, March 12, 2010

Marketplace Tech Report for March 12, 2010

Marketplace for Friday, March 12, 2010

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.

Chatroulette has become a fast viral hit thanks to its sense of anonymity. One new website might be changing that.

Question: I am trying to pay off my credit card. However, the interest rate is so high (%17.9) that it's really hard to get ahead. I owe &7,000…

Berklee College of Music's Michael Sweet talks with Kai Rysddal about creating scores for video games and how the market for composers is changing.

The federal budget deficit for the month of February was almost $221 billion. There are wars to pay for and bailouts, but commentator Todd Buchholz says we ought to be paying attention to Social Security too.

Fashion magazines like Marie Claire and Glamour are hiring plus-size columnists and putting models who break the stick-figure mold on their covers in bathing suits. But professional women say they've been left behind. Sally Herships reports.

Forbes Magazine has named Mexican businessman Carlos Slim the world's richest man, worth some $53 billion. It's the first time in almost two decades a billionaire outside the U.S. has topped the list. Jeff Tyler reports.

President Obama has promised to double our exports through tough enforcement of trade agreements, and is calling for a new agency to help sell more goods and services overseas. John Dimsdale reports that may undermine his goal of cutting greenhouse gas pollution.

Faced with a deficit and troubled school system, Kansas City's Board of Education voted to close 28 out of 61 schools. Barbara Shelley, columnist for the Kansas City Star, talks with Kai Ryssdal about what led to the decision and its impact.

The school board in Kansas City, Mo. voted to close half the schools in its district to avoid going broke. Other districts around the country have been closing schools, as well, but none to this extent. Alisa Roth reports.

Is it possible the airline travel experience could get worse? If you believe the threats some airlines are making, the answer could be yes….

Can a value-added tax help us get out of a big budget hole? Bill Radke talks to Marketplace economics correspondent Chris Farrell about how the VAT works and why it's had a rough time finding followers in Congress.

Realty Trac reports 1 out of every 418 U.S. homes was foreclosed upon last month. The foreclosure rate isn't rising as rapidly as it has in past years, but that's only because banks are inundated with paperwork. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

Thousands of public and private sector workers are striking today in Athens, Greece in a demonstration against the government's austerity plan. Steve Chiotakis talks to reporter Joanna Kakissis from the scene on the streets.

A new report says the bailout of GMAC was wrong on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. But for future reference, it's important to…

The congressional panel that oversees the federal bailouts is questioning the decision to rescue consumer lender GMAC. Bill Radke talks to Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren, the panel's chair, about what could have been done differently.

The British energy giant BP is heading to Brazil to explore what could be the next big oil reserve. But the oil won't be easy to get to, as it rests many miles out at sea, under the ocean floor. Stephen Beard reports.

Does the recent attention to Toyota's vehicular troubles reflect a wider breakdown of automotive safety? Bob Moon explores the battle for safer cars — and a better budget for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Google says it could soon reach a conclusion from its talks with the Chinese government. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Scott Tong about why Google potentially pulling out of China could hurt the search engine's relationship with Motorola.

Global airlines are doing better than expected with losses only coming to about $2.8 billion. Meanwhile, U.S. airlines are fighting new passenger regulations. Steve Chiotakis checks in on the airline industry with Marketplace's Alisa Roth.

Good morning. Some of the things I've seen so far — Hollywood's about to get into the derivatives game, the GMAC bailout is looking like a…

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, March 11, 2010

Marketplace for Thursday, March 11, 2010

Marketplace Tech Report for March 11, 2010

With the success of "Avatar" and other 3D films, television moves in on the new technology. But will you buy it, and can it succeed?

Question: My parents in law are 89 and 90 yrs old and have $300,000 in assets. My father in law is a retired military officer but if he dies, our…

Alright, enough with the depressing stories about the unemployment rate, runaway Toyotas, the banks and the record budget deficit. Let's hear some…

Sometimes the real reason people buy green is not always Mother Earth, and the marketing for those products is starting to reflect that. Andrea Gardner reports.

Chile's President-elect Sebastian Pinera will soon take office in the aftermath of its huge earthquake. Professor Sebastian Edwards talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the quake has changed Pinera's platform of job creation and economic growth.

Soon the Obama administration is expected to announce billions in extra federal funds for under-performing public schools. Commentator Robert Reich says the administration needs to do a lot more.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou says in the future eurozone countries would be able to act like the IMF when member states get into difficulty. But his remarks may not go over well in Germany. Stephen Beard reports.

The U.S. Justice and Agriculture departments are holding a workshop on agricultural antitrust issues, and it appears investigations of seed maker Monsanto are widening. Sarah Gardner reports.

The House passed its reform bill in December, but the Senate's version has been delayed for several weeks as senators haggle over what may or may not be in it. John Dimsdale reports.

A group of state governors and education officials have announced a proposal for new common K-12 academic standards. The move could be a boon for the publishing industry. Amy Scott reports.

The Senate is expected to pass a measure that would allow out-of-work people to collect unemployment benefits for as long as 99 weeks in some states. Steve Chiotakis gets more details from reporter Dana Hedgpeth of the Washington Post.

Today, a coalition of governors and state school superintendents proposed a new set of learning standards that would apply to schoolchildren…

Bank of America's decision to get rid of overdraft fees on debit purchases sounds like a win for customers based on a rare commodity in the…

Community development district bonds, which help pay for the installation of roads, sewers and power lines, have taken a big hit in the housing market meltdown. Jeff Tyler explores the consequences for the broader economy.

Los Angeles's utility company is considering installing solar panels on a dry lake bed in the shadow of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Besides providing green energy for the city, this would also help the community with dust issues. Jennifer Collins reports.

The Senate is taking up ways to improve energy efficiency in homes, including certain video game consoles known to be energy vampires. Nationally, these consoles could be using as much energy as San Diego does in one year. Brett Neely reports.

Governments are planning to take hard action against market speculators in the wake of Greece's tumultuous financial problems. Bill Radke talks to Stephen Beard about why "naked" credit-default swaps in particular are being targeted.

Electronics firms will slowly be coming out with more 3D TVs soon, which means more programs available in 3D format. But somehow manufacturers have yet to invent a pair of universal 3D glasses. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will be unveiling plans to make up for his state's huge budget shortfall, and state residents are putting forward their own suggestions to raise $13 billion. Jay Field reports.

Bank of America is getting rid of overdraft fees on debit card purchases, a move that pre-empts federal regulation for all banks starting July 1. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Alisa Roth about how this will help out bank customers.

Good morning. A few things to start the day — Goldman gets sued, the Pentagon expresses concern about consumer protection and a list of new…

Marketplace for Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Marketplace Tech Report for March 10, 2010

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The co-creator of the Alto personal computer and ethernet networking nabs the top prize in computer science.

Question: I am 27 and have a Roth IRA account with Wachovia. This plan was started under my last employer but I am currently unemployed and am not…

Toyota announced another recall today — this time 2004-2009 Prius Hybrids — and this morning, there was another wreck involving such a Prius. A…

Author Lionel Shriver talks with Kai Ryssdal about her book, "So Much for That," in which the protagonist's plans for early retirement change when his wife gets cancer. She talks with Kai Ryssdal about the American way of health care, and putting a dollar value on human life.

Violence has put a strain on the Mexican economy and it has affected immigration in the U.S. How? Commentator Gustavo Arellano explains.

A new survey says when it comes to finding work, job security has become the top priority for college students. Thanks to the recession, stability outranks pay and benefits. Amy Scott reports.

AdweekMedia's Jim Cooper talks with Kai Ryssdal about why Google is teaming with Dish Network to create a set-top box, and why there's a surge in 3-D TV sets.

The Obama administration has blocked the merger of two Michigan insurers. The companies dropped their plans after the Justice Department threatened to sue. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

A year ago, the stock market hit its low as the Dow closed at 6547. Now, the Dow's about 4,000 points higher and climbing. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Investors have been reassured by the Greek government's stringent deficit-reduction program. But the crisis is certainly not over, and it has left a bitter legacy in Greece. Stephen Beard reports.

Two pieces of news today provide clues about what TV and the Internet will be like in the not-so-distant future. Maybe it's not that impressive to…

Colorado is having trouble processing paperwork for recipients of food stamps, and as a result many are not getting their stamps renewed. The delay is a violation of federal law. Zachary Barr reports.

It may seem like the markets have been rapidly rising since hitting rock bottom a year ago, but skeptics still say a significant chunk is still in the hole. Bob Moon reports.

The Senate continues debate over financial regulatory reform, with a clearer picture developing of how the Federal Reserve would play into any proposed legislation. Steve Chiotakis gets an in-depth look from Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman and its European partner, EADS, have dropped out of a bid for a $40 billion deal to supply the U.S. Air Force with refueling tankers. Bill Radke finds out why from Marketplace's Stephen Beard.

The French may be famous for their physiques, but the influx of fast food into the country has helped give rise to an increase in obesity. So Jenny Craig is pitching in by opening over a dozen weight-loss centers nationally. Caitlan Carroll reports.

After already having passed through the capitals of Europe seeking help, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is in Washington, D.C. to ask President Obama to help shoulder his country's $25 billion in debt. Is that fair? John Dimsdale reports.

Toyota held a press conference to rebut an ABC News story that allegedly shows how miswiring vehicles can cause unintended acceleration. Steve Chiotakis gets more technical details from Marketplace's Alisa Roth.