Week of June 4th, 2012

Teens across the country are breaking out the lawn mowers and ice cream scoops, hoping for a little extra cash in their pockets. But whose money is it, really? We look at how that hard-earned money should be managed. Plus money wisdom from the commencement pulpit. And we head out into the trenches for a little internship boot camp at “The Soup.”

Recent graduates can usually breathe easy knowing they’ll be on their parents’ healthcare plan for a few more years. But what’s it like when that comes to an end? Some tech startups are trying to sell personal information online to retailers in exchange for discounts and products.  Kai Ryssdal talks to fashion writer Kate Betts about the influence of costume designer Nolan Miller on women’s fashion in the workplace. We also have the weekly wrap on this week’s business stories, and small talk with the Dinner Party Download.

Hurricane season is right around the corner and the Federal Communications Commission is studying a plan to deploy emergency phone equipment in the air. Using drone planes, weather balloons and blimps, the FCC wants to effectively create floating cell phone towers. That way people could call to get rescued, call to get help, aid workers could coordinate efforts. We look at the possibilities and the challenges.

After the CEO of Chesapeake Energy was drilled by allegations of impropriety, angry shareholders are demanding change. Like the rest of us, companies are still uncertain of the economic future and holding on to their cash. But spending and investing could help to push the economy forward. The International Olympic Committee will provide live web coverage of the London games this summer to nations in Asia and Africa. And finally, what to throw out when, we give you a guide to food expiration dates beyond what’s printed on the carton.

The news that didn't quite make the headlines. This week: Bullets for killing zombies, ads in public bathroom mirrors and Redbox buying Disney movies to rent out to customers.

Today at a White house press conference, President Obama warned the American public of the banking crisis in Europe and the stalled congressional action on jobs legislation.

A new study says the Obama health care law has helped more than six million young adults under 26 stay on or get on their parents' health insurance plans.

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With graduation in the air, here's a sampling of inspiring commencement speeches of 2012 featured in today's show.

A prospectus for Silicon Valley's next hot tech stock offering, where nothing could possibly go wrong. It's a company called Ponzify.

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After the CEO of Chesapeake Energy was drilled by allegations of impropriety, angry shareholders are demanding change. Like the rest of us, companies are still uncertain of the economic future and holding on to their cash. But spending and investing could help to push the economy forward. The International Olympic Committee will provide live web coverage of the London games this summer to nations in Asia and Africa. And finally, what to throw out when, we give you a guide to food expiration dates beyond what's printed on the carton.

Here in the United Kingdom, retail giants like Wal-Mart and grocery store chain Tesco are food waste into green energy.

The Federal Reserve has just approved a proposal to make every bank in America keep more capital on hand. The measure may help taxpayers weather the next financial storm, but hurt bank stockholders.

One of the big rain clouds hanging over markets this morning is coming from Spain. There are reports that the Spanish government could ask Europe to bailout its banks this weekend.

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Cars are as American as apple pie, but with the rising price of oil, more Americans are opting for other oil-free means of transportation.

Obesity is a recognized problem, but commentator Justin Wilson says it's a problem that's best solved by personal choices, not government intervention.

You buy food, it sits in your fridge, and you wonder what to throw out when. Finally, here's a definitive guide to expiration dates that goes beyond what's printed on the carton.

Like the rest of us, companies are still uncertain of the economic future. But spending and investing could help to push the economy forward.

What's the mood like in Germany right now? It's a case of soccer fever as the European Championships kick off. But are Germans in denial about the eurozone crisis?

After the CEO of Chesapeake Energy was drilled by allegations of impropriety, angry shareholders are demanding change.

The International Olympic Committee will provide live web coverage of the London games this summer to nations in Asia and Africa. If the online feed catches on, a television network might be interested in paying for future international rights.

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Greece continues to struggle through a debt and banking crisis and rumors of a 'Grexit' abound. If the country does leave the euro, how will it roll out the drachma, and what are the costs?

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We hear from an owner of a PR firm who's trying to hire, but also struggling to cover retirement benefits.

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There is an implication by those in the media that the Fed is essentially out of tools when it comes to lowering interest rates. Can the Federal Reserve lower the Fed Funds rate below zero? If so, what would be the implications for borrowers, savers and the macroeconomy? Richard, Marietta, GA

Following the theft of 6.5 million passwords from LinkedIn along with hacks at the dating site eHarmony and the music site Last.FM, we get advice from an industry insider on how to protect yourself — tell a lie.

Today President Obama urged Europe's leaders to act quickly to solve their economic crisis. On the domestic front, the president asked Congress to reevaluate the jobs bill he delivered to the Capitol last year.

New kinds of credentials could offer a cheaper path to a good job.

In the event of natural disaster, drone planes and weather balloons could restore communications.

Author Charles Wheelan asks recent college grads to not use their new knowledge for evil.

Your personal data gets mined every time you do a Google search or browse Amazon. But now, some start-ups are trying to let consumers take control of their data — and get something in return.

Reviewing the week's headlines on Wall Street and beyond. This week: Signs of a slowdown all across the world, and the Federal Reserve's latest statement.

The costume designer for television shows like "Dynasty" left a lasting influence on women's clothing and the fashion culture.

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Spain’s government raised its goal of $2 billion at a bond auction this morning, but banking woes still loom. Summer movie season means it’s time for big-budget, action-adventures, but summer can also spell success for movies that ignore the desires of teenage boys. President Obama will talk to students in Nevada today about his plan to defer federal loan repayments for low-income student borrowers. Although affluent devotees are willing to pay high prices for the up-market sportwear brand Lululemon, there may be a limit to the yoga market.

LinkedIn is a popular site for people looking to make contacts, find a new job, or, apparently, steal millions of passwords. Over six million user passwords may have been stolen from the social networking site in a recent hack. If you don’t share password across websites, you’ll probably be fine — but most people use the same password for several sites because remembering a different one for each site is a pain in the neck, and those people need to change their password methods now.

Ben Bernanke said today that the Fed is prepared to take action if Europe’s problems get worse. What does this really mean? According to Gallup’s latest data, Americans aren’t paying much attention to the government’s unemployment reports. Meanwhile, Foursquare seems to be on the decline, and Apple has decided to get rid of Google Maps as the default on its devices. Reporter Adriene Hill explores the bad reputation that regular bath salts are getting. And with two movies about Abraham Lincoln being released this summer, how marketers are making us love the 16th president.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke may announce a new plan for interest rates today on Capitol Hill. Six in 10 Americans want the Federal Reserve to consider the negative impact of low interest rates on retirees and savings.

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Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is on Capitol Hill today and he's under pressure to do more to stimulate the economy in the United States.

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Bath salts that dissolve in your tub are being confused with a dangerous street drug of the same name. That's making it hard for bath-salt sellers to relax.

Honestly, could there be a better pitchman than Abe Lincoln? The upcoming release of the film "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is just the latest idea to cash in on the 16th president.

Spain's government raised its goal of $2 billion at a bond auction this morning, but banking woes still loom. Summer movie season means it’s time for big-budget, action-adventures, but summer can also spell success for movies that ignore the desires of teenage boys. President Obama will talk to students in Nevada today about his plan to defer federal loan repayments for low-income student borrowers. Although affluent devotees are willing to pay high prices for the up-market sportwear brand Lululemon, there may be a limit to the yoga market.

It’s summer movie season which means it’s the time for big-budget, action-adventures. But summer can also spell success for movies that ignore the desires of teenage boys.

Europe correspondent Stephen Beard has embarked on a eurozone pub crawl, finding out how people in the continent's watering holes are feeling about their financial future.

Taking a look at Gallup's latest data on whether people pay attention to the government's unemployment reports, and whether they feel the economic recovery is on the right track.

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China today dropped its key interest rate by a quarter percent — the first cut since 2008. The move shows the Chinese government is becoming concerned about the new evidence of a slowdown in the global economy.

'Fiscal cliff' has been a key phrase being bandied about in economic talks. And with automatic spending cuts set to kick off at the beginning of 2013, the country may be ready to jump.

China's central bank this morning surprised global markets by cutting interest rates for the first time since 2008 in an effort to stimulate the slowing economy.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was on Capital Hill today, he didn't rule out action, but did not suggest any immediate policy changes.

Although Lululemon's profits were up this quarter, the yoga market outlook is softening despite affluent devotees that are willing to pay high prices for the fitness activity.

To illustrate the fiscal cliffs ahead, we explored some famous cliff scenes at the beginning of today's show.

Mobile map apps are big business, but do they help or hurt our geographical literacy?

Spain raised $2.6 billion in a bond sale this morning, but the higher interest rate of 6.1 percent shows that investors are still concerned that Spain has not wiped their hands clean of the financial mess just yet.

The federal government will streamline the process that borrowers use to get their payments capped at just 15 percent of their salaries.

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OSU President Gorden Gee on his school's decision to lease out its parking facilities and the impact it could have.

And are we just stuck with the current problematic password system forever? Yes. Yes, we are.

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Spain's government raised $2.6 billion at a bond auction this morning, but their financial crisis still looms with the banking system and government propping each other up.

I am a graduate student in my mid-20s who has never had a credit card. While I have been able to get by without one, I have finally reached a stage in my personal and professional life where not having one has become a real inconvenience (when trying to reserve a rental car, for example). I would be grateful for advice on the cards, or kinds of cards, that I should seek or avoid for a first credit card — as well as whether I'm likely to receive one, and (if not) what I can do to make myself a better candidate. Stephanie, Minneapolis, MN

All eyes are on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke today as he testifies today on Capitol Hill and announces his plans for interest rates and quantitative easing.

This week, in a nudge at Facebook's mobile ad struggles, Twitter said its mobile ads are booming, already outpacing web ads and on track to keep growing.

General Motors is facing a pension crisis. To save themselves more than $20 billion in pension obligations, they’re giving big buyouts to some retirees. A new study shows that having a trade certificate under your belt dramatically improves your salary. Compared to earlier this year, oil prices are way down — so when will our wallets notice the difference? We hears from listeners about their thoughts on last week’s View Park story and about what it means to be middle class. And Kai Ryssdal talks to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz about how inequality harms our economy.

Organized labor reacts to Governor Scott Walker’s victory in Wisconsin’s recall elections yesterday. Federal bank regulators head to Capitol Hill this morning to update Senators on the progress of the Dodd-Frank financial industry reforms. Words like “austerity,” “sequestration” and “equity” are commonly used in news stories everywhere these days, but do you know what they mean? The recession has boosted the number of Americans on food stamps to 44 million — nearly double pre-recession levels.

A recent estimate says 30,000 electronic surveillance orders are issued each year in federal courts. And unless the orders lead to actual charges, the person being watched doesn’t know. You might think, well, I’m no criminal, they’re not watching me — but not so fast. We take a look at the legality of the whole situation. Plus, another edition of Tech Report Theater.

Implementation of the financial industry overhaul is still a work in progress. More than half of the 400 new rules have missed their deadlines.

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Published reports today suggest NASDAQ is working on a plan to compensate brokerages that lost perhaps $100 million when software fouled up the start of trading in Facebook's IPO last month.

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Organized labor reacts to Governor Scott Walker's victory in Wisconsin's recall elections yesterday. Federal bank regulators head to Capitol Hill this morning to update Senators on the progress of the Dodd-Frank financial industry reforms. Words like "austerity," "sequestration" and "equity" are commonly used in news stories everywhere these days, but do you know what they mean? The recession has boosted the number of Americans on food stamps to 44 million — nearly double pre-recession levels.