Week of November 25th, 2013

This weekend on Marketplace Money, host Carmen Wong Ulrich addresses some usual – and unusual – questions about how family and finances mix during the holiday season. First, reporter Stacey Vanek Smith shares the myriad ways stores use technology to stalk customers while they shop, in hopes of making them spend more money. Plus, psychiatrist Gail Saltz joins the program to discuss how people rationalize overspending on gifts for loved ones and ways to break that bad financial habit. Also, Greg Graffin of the punk rock band Bad Religion reflects on how his spending habits were shaped by his frugal father. And, a pair of personal finance experts debate the value of the financial literacy movement.

How should you handle keeping things secret from your family? Carmen and guest Dr. Gail Saltz talk to listeners.

Marketplace Money host Carmen Wong Ulrich shares some of her book picks for holiday gifts.

Will the University of Southern California's quest to hire a star coach for its football team be cut short by a victory in Saturday's game?

If you're not crowding into a store today, it might be because personalized sales offers are coming to you.

Our Final Note today comes from the world of basketball and loopholes.

As Ukraine ponders its economic future, both the EU and Russia are courting its economic power.

Marketplace’s Sabri Ben-Achour braves the holiday shopping crowds to find out how opening on Thanksgiving Day affected this year’s sales figures.

The Australian government blocks the American food-processing giant from acquiring Australia's biggest grain distributor

Marketplace’s Sabri Ben-Achour braves the holiday shopping crowds to find out how opening on Thanksgiving Day affected this year’s sales figures. Plus, a look at how U.S. taxpayers are close to getting back all the money they put into the housing giants. Marketplace host Lizzie O’Leary talks with Bloomberg Government’s Nela Richardson and Cardiff Garcia from FT Alphaville for a wrap-up of the week’s business news. And, a lot of fans are calling for USC’s interim head football coach to take the top job permanently, especially after their upset of Stanford a few weeks ago. But as Marketplace’s Mark Garrison reports, that may not necessarily be the case.

Cardiff Garcia from FT Alphaville and Bloomberg's Nela Richardson join Lizzie O'Leary to look back at the week's business news and forward at where the economy is going.

The White House's self-imposed deadline for healthcare.gov to be "working smoothly" for the "vast majority of users" is Saturday. Australia has rejected a $2.6 billion bid by Archer Daniels Midland — to buy one of Australia’s largest grain companies. And, Globalist Quiz time.

In 2012, how many of the Fortune 500 companies individually generated $10 billion or more in profits?

The White House's self-imposed deadline for healthcare.gov to be "working smoothly" for the "vast majority of users" is Saturday

Cheap natural gas has made the U.S. one of the cheapest places to make plastics.

Black Friday discounts extend beyond flat-screen TVs, cashmere sweaters, toys and stocking stuffers

$99. 100,000 pets. 7500. 50,000. 174 years. Do you know what these numbers mean?

A massive rail project could have a major impact on the economies of five African countries.

Australia has rejected a $2.6 billion bid by Archer Daniels Midland — to buy one of Australia’s largest grain companies.

The day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. has evolved from the day get a jump on shopping into something larger. This “mission creep” involves other types of businesses glomming onto the sense that if you are going to spend money, why not today? There’s just been a groundbreaking for a four billion dollar railway from the port of Mombasa in Kenya to the capital Nairobi. It’s the first phase of a massive rail project that could directly affect the economies of five East and Central African countries. And, hydraulic fracturing or fracking uses chemicals injected into the ground to break fossil fuel free from rock. Environmental concerns continue to swirl around the technique, even as the resulting fuel is moving the U.S. away from its energy dependence on the Middle East. And, fracking uses a lot of chemicals which delights the chemical industry.

You know what happens at the end of the week by now, right? Silicon Tally, the game where Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson and a worthy adversary try and stump each other with numbers from the week’s tech news. Today it’s Cory Doctorow, awesome science fiction author and co-editor of the group blog Boing Boing. Plus, Reddit’s gift exchange.

What's been the impact of populism in Thailand?

You may know former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker as the guy who tamed inflation, but apparently, he cooks a mean Thanksgiving turkey.

Clothing-retailer H&M has said it's drafting a plan to pay its textile worker a "living wage" by 2018.

The intersection of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah make for huge marketing opportunities.

Nearly half of people living in foreclosed homes are actually renters

The consternation over Black Friday’s creeping into Thanksgiving might lead you to believe Thanksgiving has always been a sacred (though secular) space for Americans. Yeah. Not so much. Then,  we look at the economics of food philanthropy. Clothing retailer H&M says it’s developing a plan to ensure that the people that make their clothes will earn a living wage by 2018.  This week, a judge ruled that Sriracha-maker Huy Fong Foods had to partially shut down because of offensive orders coming from their Southern California factory. And, five years on from the worst of the foreclosure crisis, the federal government still owns close to 200,000 homes not yet on the market. Rowan Moore Gerety reports. 

While food banks would never turn away that can of about-to-expire lima beans, those donations come with a lot of overhead.

Sriracha hot sauce’s unique burn has been drifting out of its factory and into the surrounding neighborhood of Irwindale, CA.

Stores are opening up earlier than ever this Thanksgiving, in an effort to lure shoppers. Not everyone is happy about it.

We have one of the shortest holiday shopping seasons upon us. Retailers couldn't be more worried. And a look at two people who are working this Thanksgiving day.

Turkey, Black Friday, and … TV dinners? Here are a few parts of the economy that wouldn't be the same without Thanksgiving.

Food concession company Aramark prepares for what could be a $1 billion initial public offering.

Catching bootleggers red handed.

Once again, it's the Year of the Tablet.

While you're eating turkey and enjoying time with family and friends, let's take a moment to acknowledge those who are working on this day.

Today, the Japan Nikkei Index went up another 1.8 percent to get very close to a six year high.

Airports used to be dull, grey boxes we had to pass through to get from one place to another.

When you hear Black Friday, you may think of a fun shopping spree. But some people plan to use the day to buy more practical items.

A bankruptcy judge clears American Airlines to merge, which leaves the U.S. airline industry with three giant airline plus a few others.

When you hear Black Friday, you may think of a fun shopping spree. But some people plan to use the day to buy more practical items. Stocks in Japan are up, but will it mean consumer confidence in the economy? And chances are many of you have spent quite some time in airports over the last few days — the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest times of the year for traveling. We take a look at the changing design and attractions of airport terminals.

When it comes to this week’s holiday shopping plans, we seem to be looking at another year of the tablet. But that isn’t the only shopping trend this year centered around gadgets. I’m talking smart devices. Whether it’s the Wi-Fi capable smoke detector or a home-locking system that talks to your smart phone, there are an increasing number of products for sale. Not all of the stocking stuffers are totally essential, but they do give us a sense of our connected future.

The roll-out of Obamacare isn't the first time the government has done something this big.

39 states now have financial curriculum standards in their schools, which means, there's a new teacher in town.

The IRS will change some of the ground rules when it comes to the unlimited and anonymous spending that groups have been able to do in political races after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Citizens United. Sunday is December 1, which is also a big day for the Obama administration’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act. What’s the latest on health care? And finally, Thanksgiving week is always a big week for movies, which means this week will be big for the latest movie in the Hunger Games franchise. The film is already going great guns at the box office, but it’s not just kids who are watching. 

Quartz reporter Roberto Ferdman talks about the fuzzy beloved character that has made kids go crazy and parents go crazier since 1996.

Sriracha's southern California factory has been partially shut down under a judge's order.

Fifty-seven Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest have come together to oppose plans to build coal export terminals in Oregon and Washington State.

December 1 is a big day for the Obama administration's implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Thanksgiving week is always a big week for movies, which means this week will be big for the latest movie in the Hunger Games franchise.

How much light will the new IRS rules shed on political dark money?

Now that California has recognized ride-sharing, taxi companies have to learn how to compete with it

The U.S. government has announced a $253 million fine against Weatherford. This time of year, some lenders send out offers to let you "skip a payment." And, when 40 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, you have to wonder why saving money is so difficult.

Undeterred by Senate hearings, the price of the virtual currency Bitcoin is soaring.

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When 40 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, you have to wonder why saving money is so difficult. Marketplace Money’s Carmen Wong Ulrich points to declining wages, but she also says the culture of saving was lost.

Scott Heimendinger of the Modernist Cuisine cookbooks talks Thanksgiving and Modernist Cuisine's new cookbook app with Marketplace Tech.

Windows Phone lags far being Android and iPhone in the U.S. But in the Latin American market, Windows Phone is number one.

The U.S. government has announced a $253 million fine against Weatherford, a Swiss oil and gas services company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange.

The lynchpin of the European economy is now on track for a new government by Christmas.

This time of year, some lenders send out offers to let you "skip a payment."

The best laid travel plans can fall through when the system comes under the kind of pressure common at Thanksgiving.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives today cut a deal with the center-left in Germany to form a coalition government that is pledging some serious new spending. From the Carolinas to Maine, it’s just filthy out there this morning. The bad weather is settled over some key East Coast airports on this busiest travel day. If your mother is really counting on you showing up for the meal, there are ways to work around the weather without bankrupting yourself. And, in the U.S. smart phone market, the Windows Phone seems firmly stuck in third place, far behind the likes of Android and Apple. But it’s a different story in Latin America. New data show, for the second straight quarter, sales of phone with the Microsoft system surpassed Apple’s iPhone and trailed only Android.

Lots of people are probably preparing to lose sleep tonight while they worry about whether their Thanksgiving feast will come out of the oven OK. Well, we wanted to talk turkey with a techie. So we called up Scott Heimendinger. He used to work for Microsoft and IBM. Today, he’s the director of applied research for the Modernist Cuisine cookbooks. And, we talk with a mathematician from New York University who unveiled a new species of drone this week that flies like a jellyfish.

A lot of the canned pumpkins that go into a lot of Americans' pumpkin pie is branded with the red-and-white logo of Libby's.

Retailers are increasingly using data tracking to figure out what you want to buy.

Men’s Wearhouse turns the tables on its would-be acquirer, Jos. A. Bank. What one suits-for-the-masses retailer has to gain by buying another. The pope dished out a searing critique of capitalism today. But what influence does the Papal office have these days? We take another look at why the 30-year fixed mortgage is our home loan of choice. And finally, the economics of airline cancellations: How airlines anticipate and react to big storms barreling down at peak travel periods like Thanksgiving.

The Bay Psalm book, one of the world's rarest books, is being auctioned tonight.

Bloomberg's Jeffrey Goldberg speaks about his visit to the island nation threatened by rising sea levels.

The FDA has ordered 23andMe to stop selling DNA test kits. What is Katie Couric thinking leaving ABC for Yahoo? And, in Indonesia, authorities are getting ready to introduce the world's biggest universal health care program.

Authorities in China have opened up an antitrust inquiry against wireless company Qualcomm.

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Men’s Wearhouse turns the tables on its would-be acquirer, Jos. A. Bank.

The pope dished out a searing critique of capitalism today.

Airlines try to react sooner when big storms barrel down at peak travel periods like Thanksgiving.

Carmen explains her holiday shopping goals.

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Voice recognition software is more and more common on our devices, but if you're speaking with an accent or in two languages at once, you might be in trouble.

Since 1919, bankers have come together every day to determine the price of gold around the world. But now the process — the London Gold Fix – is under scrutiny by British regulators.

As the Obama administration continues its erratic roll out of health care reform, halfway around the world in Indonesia, authorities are getting ready to introduce the world's biggest universal health care program.

The problem with mail-order DNA tests.

Want to get more out of your social media followers? Social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk says you have to give something to them first.

Next year, Scottish voters will get to decide if they want to remain a part of the United Kingdom. What economic challenges would an independent Scotland face?

What digital future do old-media stars see?

A new company headed by 19-year-olds wants to be the Airbnb of cars.

After workers at Boeing's Seattle facility voted down the company's proposed contract, its CEO courts other states.

South Carolina is trying to win a bigger share of Boeing’s aircraft building operations. The state will sell $85 million in bonds in part to pay for land for the aerospace giant. South Carolina wants to get in  the business of building the new 777X — but it has to take it from Seattle first. If Scotland were to pull away from the United Kingdom, what would its society look like? What would its economy look like? The Scottish National Party today issued a kind of mission statement to start answering those questions. In 10 months time, voters in Scotland will be asked, yes or no: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” And, would you lend your car to a stranger? A new company is betting that just as people increasingly rent their houses on Airbnb, they may also be willing to hand over their car keys. 

Gary Vaynerchuk will make a personal video for you. He even sent a guy in Minnesota a cheeseburger once after the guy asked him for one on Twitter. The New Jersey dude’s first really successful business was winelibrary.com. Now, brands like GE, Pepsi, and the New York Jets ask his agency, Vayner Media, to help with their social media mojo. And, whether you’re an iPhone or an Android, one of the features that has had a lot of attention recently is voice recognition. But there’s one problem: If you’re speaking with accented English, your device’s voice recognition won’t work nearly as well.

There's a financial cost to mortgages that stay at the same interest rate for 30 years, but there are also social benefits.

The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on the nation's biggest at-home DNA test kit company

Josh Roxin and his wife Alissa moved to Rwanda for health and development, but opened a restaurant instead.

With a six-month agreement in place to thaw some of the restrictions on doing business in Iran, international firms are now making calculations about whether to get involved in that marketplace, or wait and see what comes next. Also, Yahoo! is hiring Katie Couric. It’s the latest in a number of high-priced recruitments by the internet company, but Couric is unusual. She’s older, she’s a TV icon, and she’s a host, not a reporter. Finally, the Affordable Care Act has turned insurance brokers into a legion of private navigators for individuals and families faced with insurance decisions. The brokers are frustrated by the law’s complications and the failures of healthcare.gov, but also have a wave of new business.

Turkey isn't the source of your sleepiness.

Katie Couric's hiring is the latest in a number of high-priced recruitments by Yahoo.

As insurance brokers navigate the new system, they're not comparing it to a summer's day.

International firms are now making calculations about whether to do business in Iran.

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Europe's automotive industry and others may benefit from lifted sanctions on Iran. Restaurant profit margins are slim, only around 3-5 percent. So more restaurant chains are starting to make home deliveries. And, One Direction's new album was topping the charts before it was even released.