Week of February 27th, 2012

A mild winter in many parts of the country has helped some businesses, like construction, while at the same time hurting others. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa explains why we should get rid of the dollar bill once and for all. Russians will vote on Sunday in the country’s presidential election and late tonight, United and Continental airlines are merging — their reservation systems.

When a bank executive says customers with less than $100,000 in deposits are “unprofitable,” what’s your reaction? Apparently, we don’t expect banks to love us anymore. We do expect our president and First Family to present a certain image — but it comes at a price. Having kids is pretty costly, too. We have some advice for to-be parents. Plus, reporter Eve Troeh looks at the cost of luminescence. And the New York Times’ Carl Richards discusses using art to offer financial advice.  

Attention AT&T users: It’s the end of the line for truly unlimited data on your phone. Find out how that might impact you. And could you live without Google for a day? Reporter Jennifer Collins tried it out. We look at how some businesses are finding opportunities in the health care reform law. And one commentator tells us what the Jeremy Lin story is really all about — here’s a hint, it’s not basketball.

Sen. John McCain and a coalition of his fellow Republican senators have introduced the SECURE IT Act, aimed at improving our nation’s cybersecurity. It’s a response bill to one introduced earlier, The Cybersecurity Act of 2012, by Sen. Joe Lieberman and a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate.

When you're in pain and in need of treatment, it's hard to pay really close attention to your health care choices. Commentator Renee Lux describes how treating her stiff neck led to a huge hike in her insurance costs.

Marketplace's Wealth and Poverty reporters talked with people from all over the country, and many, regardless of their earning power, had very little in the way of savings.

A new book explains why the Obama administration didn't go far enough to encourage economic recovery.

United and Continental airlines are merging their computer reservation systems tonight. Will it create sky-high problems or be smooth sailing?

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Going over listeners' responses to past broadcasts. This week: noticing the price of groceries, gauging Yelp's share price, and remembering the Monkees' Davy Jones.

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Yesterday, a report of a pipeline explosion in Saudi Arabia sent oil prices up near a four-year high. The Saudis denied that report, but two things are clear: Oil traders are on edge, and prices remain very high. And obviously, that's trickling right down to the gas tank.

The newspaper is following a national trend by instituting a so-called pay wall to read online content. But there is no guarantee the move will work as well in Los Angeles as it has for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

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Tips for saving money without feeling (too much) pain.

Republicans try the non-regulatory approach.

For some businesses that shut down during the winter, the mild weather this winter has been an economic shot in the arm. For others, not so much.

It's the end of the line for truly unlimited data on your AT&T phone — even for the folks who were grandfathered in.

Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa is among the U.S. senators pushing for the end of the dollar bill in the quest to save the government money.

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One of the European Union's most senior officials says the new Google privacy policy breaks European law.

There is an important personal finance lesson in Apple's enormous cash hoard: Savings is an anchor that allows for experimentation, risk-taking and innovation in both companies and at home.

All morning long we've been asking for your opinion on coins vs. bills following our interview with Senator Tom Harkin on the subject.

The GOP candidates have focused on social issues. But in many of the ten Super Tuesday states like Ohio, voters may be more interested to hear their plans to solve some serious economic problems.

Commentator Kristina Wong says preconceived notions of who we should be keep budding potential unnoticed.

A high-level Morgan Stanley investment banker was charged with a hate crime in Connecticut after a dispute over a $300 cab fare.

Some would-be home buyers are unable to get loans for new places, but people who are getting back to work as the economy improves still want to move out of their parent's basement.

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Convenient, yes. Secure? Far from it.

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For all the talk by Republicans about the dangers of "Obamacare," there are some who view the law as good for business.

The news that didn't quite make the headlines. This week: Virgin's Upper Class Dream Suite, New York taxis get new lights, and funny exam questions.

Company "throttles" or slows down data for users who hit the limit. To get back up to speed, they'll have to pay for more data.

Russians will soon vote in the country's sixth presidential election. How has the campaign of New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov gone?

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Reviewing the week's headlines on Wall Street. This week: Read into Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal and the state of Wall Street.

If you're one of the 17 million people who use AT&T for your mobile phone service, there will be no more unlimited data for you, even if that's what you signed up for.

We now want to invest some of our emergency fund that we believe is a little inflated, due to fears of the economy. I've looked around at fee-only advisers, but they all state that you should have at least $100,000 to start investing; otherwise, they don't feel like you are qualified to work with. What should we do with our money? We have about $15,000-20,000 that we want to invest, but we want to do the right thing. Could your staff help with some options? Thank you, Joshua, Riverside, CA

The huge shale gas deposit is a big deal for global energy markets.

Our reporter attempts to avoid using the search engine, and finds its influence is almost everywhere.

How’s the weather where you are? A new survey says recent good weather is making the economy seem better than it really is. In the latest from our Attitude Check series, we look at how Americans feel about health care reform. One commentator says the government needs to step up its role in regulating our sugar intake. And the film “The Lorax” — based on the 1971 Dr. Seuss book — is opening this weekend. How much of an impact will its story have in today’s environmental world?

What is the wealth gap in America? It might be harder than ever to climb the ladder of success and move up in income levels. The U.N. Human Rights Council has voted to condemn the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. North Korea has reached a deal with the U.S. to suspend its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. food aid. And Justin Bieber turns 18 today, which means he finally gets access to his own finances.

Facebook has just rolled out a new approach to advertising and brand management. There will be no more advertisements on Facebook, only stories. And under the new system, a brand can have a Facebook Timeline, just like the ones you and I have even though we’re people and a brand is a brand. As for why Facebook is doing all this, it’s about the money.

The oil company hopes to avoid long delays in its plans to start offshore drilling in the Alaskan Arctic Ocean. But a preemptive lawsuit may create more problems than it solves.

I am a recently divorced, single mom who is currently not employed. Right now, most of my assets (apart from my home) are in two 401(k)s — one from my previous employer and one I received as part of the divorce settlement QDRO. From what I have read, it sounds like I should roll these over and consolidate them into an IRA? I am having trouble figuring out how and where to do this. What am I losing by leaving the money in these two 401(k)s? Ginger, Park Ridge, IL

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Iowa's state legislature passed a bill that would crack down on anyone trying to secretly document animal conditions at farming facilities. Animal rights activists are outraged, but the bill's sponsor says it's a necessary measure to protect private property.

The U.N. Human Rights Council voted today to condemn the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. The council says the regime's attacks against its own citizens may amount to crimes against humanity.

California is looking forward to both the Yelp and Facebook IPOs in the near future. One analyst estimated it could bring as much as $2.5 billion to the financially struggling state.

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We're seeing both more people working and people with jobs being paid more — but high gas prices and inflation could take a small hit to that increase.

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So, how much will college tuition for a year at Yale University cost you in gold?

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New government guidelines are taking incandescent bulbs off the market, leaving us with compact fluorescents and LEDs. But now there's a new language for bulb shoppers to learn.

Commentator Mark Bittman argues we should regulate sugar like we do cigarettes.

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But is the mild winter cooking the books?

Justin Bieber celebrates his 18th birthday today. What does official adulthood mean financially for the teen superstar?

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Frank Newport, the editor-in-chief of Gallup, talks about Americans' attitude toward health care reform and the role it could play in this year's presidential election.

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Those at the top have an increasingly bigger share, while middle and low incomes stagnate.

Facebook has always had a bit of a slippery relationship to words as we understand them in the English language. Now, brands can chat and have Timelines but still lack corporeal form.

A film adaptation of the 1971 children's book is soon to hit movie screens. But to many, its 40-year-old environmental messaging that needs a reboot.

With gas prices rising at an unusual time of year, many are blaming speculators. Others believe refiners are worried about tensions with Iran, and are using a hedging strategy.

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The Federal Reserve chairman was careful about what he said yesterday in his speech on the U.S. economy to the House Financial Services Committee.

Waiting around for something to get delivered during a four-hour window can be a frustrating experience — and it's hurting worker productivity. Some businesses are trying to cut the window by two hours.

The bank is reportedly currently testing different fee models — including monthly charges of anywhere from $6 to $25. This comes after a pushback last year against a $5 monthly debit card fee.

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What is the wealth gap in America? It might be harder than ever to climb the ladder of success and move up in income levels. The U.N. Human Rights Council has voted to condemn the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. North Korea has reached a deal with the U.S. to suspend its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. food aid. And Justin Bieber turns 18 today, which means he finally gets access to his own finances.

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We asked you to send in photographs of where you live. Take a look, and contribute yours.

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Marketers descended on Facebook's first one-day conference yesterday to find out what the social network has in store. Facebook announced that for the first time its getting into mobile marketing.

North Korea has reached a deal with the U.S. to suspend its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. food aid. Because of sanctions, the U.S. hasn't sent food to North Korea since 2009, despite reports of significant malnutrition in the country.

According to Gallup's latest data, about two-thirds of Americans who put themselves as the middle class, and most voters overall are not concerned about the wealth gap.

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