Week of January 17th, 2011

Many have questions about how to prepare for retirement, but what do you do when you actually get there? Some are discovering that traveling and golf just aren't enough for the retired life.

Little black and white squares have started popping up in magazines, on billboards and storefronts. They're called QR codes, and are aimed at linking the online world with the real world.

Canada — home to two-thirds of the total polar bear population left on earth — is debating putting the species on an at-risk list. That would mean trying to place an economic value on the animal.

Two companies are currently in a legal battle that could dramatically alter the way publicly traded companies change hands in the U.S. One company is using the "poison pill" tactic, which increases the number of shares to make a takeover prohibitively expensive.

As of next January, the SEC says sellers of securities backed by mortgages, credit cards and student loans must disclose what's in them.

Buyers are snapping up foreclosures, but should one person's housing loss give a new owner pause? Does karma exist in real estate?

Plaza Adelante in San Francisco has become a nonprofit hub that's helping the surrounding Latino neighborhood create and build their small businesses.

The big announcement that Google co-founder Larry Page was taking over as CEO didn't go down so well on Wall Street. Marketplace's Steve Henn talks to Kai Ryssdal about the challenges that lie ahead for the company, and why it needs to compete with Facebook.

While Congress continues to lag on passing a renewable energy standard, the US Department of Agriculture has a new plan to help consumers move aw…

Bank of America's losses show it's still paying the price for Countrywide's bad housing bets. How deep is the bank's mortgage hole?

Posted by Chau Tu…

President Obama shifts his focus to jobs, tapping GE's Jeffrey Immelt to bring practical and symbolic leadership to his economic advisory panel.

Tess Vigeland and Marketplace's Chris Farrell answer your questions about identity confusion and your credit and if you can be too old to buy a house.

Posted by Chau Tu…

The Upright Citizens Brigade comedy sketch group "Nice Kitchen" warns us about the dangers in posting too much information online via social media.

This final note today. I don't know that this is necessarily the best advertisement for an international tourism trade fair that's starting in…

Marketplace Tech Report for January 21, 2011

Google says that the results you see when you search for something are objective and put there only by algorithm. But a Harvard professor recently ran an experiment using common search terms on several different search engines. He says Google's results heavily favored Google's own products, casting the claim of objectivity into doubt.

China's government introduced new laws to protect people whose land is seized by local officials for future development.

This post is the first in a new series of guest contributions on Makin' Money examining all things personal finance. This week we turn to Jim Wa…

Tess Vigeland and senior producer Deb Clark catch up on your letters and comments.

Kai talks to Megan McArdle of The Atlantic and our very own New York bureau chief Heidi Moore about U.S.-China trade relations, the health of American banks

Germany is good at making things that foreigners want to buy. But frugality and worker protections are key components of Germany's economic strength.

Question: I recently got a new job where there is no employer sponsored retirement plan. I'm still young, only 26, but I don't have a lot of excess…

Jeremy Hobson speaks to Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial about this week in banking news.

Prepaid credit cards (really prepaid debit cards) are hot. I'm not a fan because so many of these cards charge high fees. Remember the late and…

Posted by Katharine Crnko…

Botnets are big networks of zombie computers – when your computer has been infected with some kind of malware that will allow someone to take…

Here's a crazy one….

Google surprised Wall Street and Silicon Valley yesterday with the news that co-founder Larry Page will take over as the company's new CEO. Former…

This week was dominated by CEO-turnover news. First Steve Jobs announce his medical leave of absence from Apple, next we had news from HP. Google's Eric Schmidt announced today that co-founder Larry Page will be in the next CEO of the search-giant. Jill Schelsinger speaks with Steve Chiotakis about the value of the CEO, and what turnover means for a company.

Bill Clinton is inaugurated for his second term in office. The English Patient wins Best Picture. And the video game Duke Nukem Forever, the next …

Long after the sun swallows the earth and then collapses into itself becoming a black hole that sucks all matter and light into it, we will still…

This one seemed to have taken everyone by surprise. Eric Schmidt will leave his post as CEO at Google on April 4 and take on a new position of…

European officials are investigating the disappearance of around 2 million carbon credits. The theft has disrupted Europe's $120 billion-a-year market to trade pollution credits. Stephen Beard explains.

President Obama is expected to name GE CEO and chairman Jeffrey Immelt head a new advisory council — the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Nancy Marshall Genzer has more.

Google surprised Wall Street and Silicon Valley yesterday with the news that co-founder Larry Page will take over as the company's new CEO. Steve Henn as more.

On today's show, we talk to Burr Settles from Carnegie Mellon University. He's the guy behind The Muse, a site that provides you everything you…

Fortune Magazine has released it's 2011 100 Best Companies To Work For list. The list is based on categories such as employee perks and benefits,…

Marketplace Money for Friday, January 21, 2011

Marketplace for Friday, January 21, 2011

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, January 21, 2011

Steve Chiotakis talks to Evgeny Morozov, the author of "The Net Delusion," about why Internet freedom cuts both ways when it comes to users and governments.

According to researchers, Americans spend close to $40 billion a year dealing with the common cold, from over the counter medicine to doctor visits. University of Michigan's Mark Fendrick examined that price tag and talks with Tess Vigeland about the true cost of getting sick

The discount store aims to cut absenteeism and high staff turnover by helping workers with problems such as financial stress and poor health.

Attempts to completely overturn health care reform aren't likely to succeed. But business is expected to score one victory in the process: the removal of a regulation that would have greatly expanded tax reporting.

Last week I travelled to Germany to get to the bottom of that country's current economic success, and everyone I spoke with mentioned a few key…

Andre Daniel shared with us the contents of his wallet at the Oakland Farmers Market.

American Airlines says it will no longer list fares on Orbitz. And it's not the only airline doing this. Geroge Hobica of Airfare Watchdog talks with Tess Vigeland about how this may impact travelers who want to book their own flights.

Kai Ryssdal talks with Greg Smith, reporter at the New York Daily News, about the recession's effect on mob activities in light of the FBI's largest mob bust in history.

Last week, Taylor Swift had the worst-selling number one album in the last 30 years. Now alternative band Cake tops the charts with just 44,000 copies sold.

Building on his corporate-detective work, Jules Kroll launches a bond-rating agency to challenge big credit firms shamed by the mortgage bust.

The nation's biggest retailer unveils a five-year plan to put healthier packaged foods and more fresh produce on its shelves. That could mean big changes for growers, food manufacturers and consumers.

Author Jane McGonigal from the Institute For The Future talks with Kai Ryssdal about her new book, "Reality Is Broken," and the specific skills gamers develop that they can use to help solve real-world problems.

Posted by Chau Tu…

Some Indian farmers pay pennies for insurance that'll cover any surgery they have. Reporter Kavitha Cardoza takes a look at how this system works.

The following excerpt is from *"Reality Is Broken" *by Jane McGonigal. Learn more about the book….

Federal authorities on Thursday announced the biggest mob bust in FBI history: a total of 127 mobsters and associates were charged for criminal a…

This final note today: The curious case of the missing carbon permits. Europe, as you may know, has an emissions market (cap-and-trade is the term)…

Title: Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World Author: Jane McGonigal Publisher: The Penguin Press HC Ty…

Where are the best places in America to grow old?. Joseph Coughlin of MIT explores that question on his blog, Disruptive Demogaphics: Global Aging,…

Question: A friend told me today that she pays off nearly all of her monthly credit card bill each month, but leaves $10. She does this on the…

Finnish company Nokia has been one of the top hand set cell phone makers in the world for a long time but they just suffered a huge setback in a…

Researchers at Texas A&M University found at the depths of the great recession, the number of hours wasted in traffic plummeted. But as the economy improves more people are taking to the roads.

Before we prepare the online coupon throne for King Groupon, competitor Living Social might have a word or two to say. Living Social, the Art Garf…

Jeremy Hobson speaks with Lael Brainard, Undersecretary for International Finance at the Treasury Department about economic discussions during the Chinese delegation's visit to the U.S.

Posted by Katharine Crnko…

China announced a 10.3 percent GDP growth in December today. That's three times faster than GDP growth in the U.S., leading economists to believe…

The following excerpt is from "Zombie Spaceship Wasteland: A Book by Patton Oswalt." Listen to an interview with Patton and learn more about the…

Michael Morris, CEO of American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio, met with the Chinese delegation yesterday to discuss the relationship between U.S. businesses and China. He speaks with Steve Chiotakis about the meeting, and expectations for the future.

China Bureau Chief Rob Schmitz chronicles the journey thousands of Chinese citizens take to return home for the Chinese New Year.

"Google typically claims that its results are "algorithmically-generated", "objective", and "never manipulated." Google asks the public to belie…

The chairman of the Wendy's Arby's group said this morning he's considering selling Arby's and putting the focus on Wendy's. Nancy Marshall Genzer has more.

China announced a 10.3 percent growth in their economy of 2010 — that's three times faster than the U.S.

During the health care debate, some supporters used Britain's medical system as a possible model for the U.S. system. Stephen Beard explains.

Title: The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom Author: Evgeny Morozov Publisher: PublicAffairs Type: Non-Fiction Released: Janua…

The nation's largest retailer, Walmart, is expected to announce a new plan to sell healthier food. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains how Walmart's announcement could reshape industries.

There's a lot to think about when you're standing in line for two days. And, by and large, you're more willing to talk to a foreign reporter abou…

Marketplace Tech Report for January 20, 2011

Marketplace for Thursday, January 20, 2011

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, January 20, 2011

The acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast will formally take place later this month after the deal was approved by the FCC and the Justice Department. But that approval came with a host of provisions, rules that the new company must obey. Those new rules are going to have an effect on how people use the Internet and what they watch on television.

As President Obama welcomes Chinese president Hu Jintao for a state visit, Americans should get ready for a Chinese ad blitz on TV. The spots — with images of ordinary Chinese citizens juxtaposed with celebrities like the NBA's Yao Ming — are aimed at improving China's image in the U.S. Will it work? Marketplace's Scott Tong takes a look.

Federal rules to increase fuel efficiency start to go into effect next year. Making cars smaller is the easiest way to boost miles per gallon, but Americans typically don't like small cars. As Marketplace's Alisa Roth reports, another road to greater fuel efficiency is to make cars lighter.

Jeremy Hobson talks to L.A. Times consumer columnist David Lazarus about Equifax's new debt-prioritizing tool, and another method consumers can use to help pay down what they owe.

The Globalist's Stephan Richter quizzes Steve Chiotakis about where citizens are earning more per year since the 1960s.

Jeremy Hobson speaks with Diane Swonk, chief economist with Mesirow Financial in Chicago about the Chinese relationship to the Windy City, and Chicago's expectations from the delegate's visit.

Kai Ryssdal goes over listener responses from last week's stories. This week: how our coverage of Lot 354 hit home for some, and the debate about praising children from a teacher's perspective.

Atlantic City is losing gamblers to casinos in nearby states. One way to make up the shortfall: Bring in more conventions.

Banks are bouncing back with strong profits as they purge bad loans. But new regulations are cutting into what's needed most for growth: revenue.

Posted by Chau Tu…

So last summer someone hacked into a database at AT&T and made off with well over 100,000 emails of iPad customers. Personal email addresses to…

Chicago wants to expand O'Hare to meet future needs, but United and American Airlines don't want to pay for that while business is still bumpy.

This final note today, to follow up on Bob Moon's story about bank profits. Can't leave without mentioning the bank everyone loves to hate….

Nintendo says its 3D handheld gaming system, the 3DS, will be released March 27th and cost $250. The 3DS offers 3D games without having to wear…

Kai Ryssdal talks to economist Daniel Altman about his latest book, where he gives his predictions of the long-term future of the global economy.

Chinese president Hu Jintao's visit to Washington reflects a new economic reality. Chinese companies are going global.

Next week, President Obama delivers the State of the Union and there's something important he needs to do in the speech: give a pep talk.

If your New Years resolution is to lose weight, you better hope a Walmart Supercenter doesn't open up around the corner. A recent study found th…