Week of February 3rd, 2014

Why moving to cash instead of credit has its own set of problems.

Marketplace Money's Raghu Manavalan wraps up the week of personal finance in the digital realm.

How to manage your wealthier friends.

If we were talking about countries, that would be the 16th biggest economy in the world, but it's not a country, it's the combined buying power of a group of people who are part of this country: African-Americans.

Somewhere between economics and happy hour

Kai's weekly chat with The Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy and Bloomberg Government's Nela Richardson.

Why this small business owner believes in the power of cash over plastic.

Marketplace's (extra special) Datebook for the week of February 10

There’s a gap between the payroll jobs report and the household jobs report. We explore possible explanations for the difference. Next, the Sochi Olympics are finally here, and  NBC is time-delaying its broadcasts of the spectacle — but are they actually losing audience or profits by its delayed broadcast strategy? The perennial debate. Finally: Apple is buying back its stock. Big time — $14 billion’s worth over the last two weeks.  

This weekend on Marketplace Money, guest host David Lazarus, columnist for the LA Times, gets the latest news on consumer data breaches. Is there a real benefit to buying everything with cash? Rob Wile of Business Insider joins him to talk about the cons of cash and what consumers can do to protect themselves while shopping. Also, Marketplace reporter Noel King explores the state of wealth in the African-American community and what small businesses are doing to take advantage of black buying power. Plus, we take a look a the trend of commercial ads “keeping it real” with diverse casting and subject matters, and Indian-American politician Reshma Saujani reflects on how her family’s approach to handling money influenced her own financial habits.

Economists say the optimism of the household survey should temper the gloom of low payroll reports.

Some sports fans have slammed the decision to delay broadcasting the Opening Ceremony, but NBC doesn't seem to be losing revenues by not going live

This months jobs report showed unemployment inching down, but fewer jobs were created than expected. And we look at how much personal debt is too much?

Basically, Congress appropriates money for projects and programs, then lawmakers have to give the executive branch permission to pay those bills.

One woman gives a face to today's jobs numbers.

A discussion of money and corruption on this opening day for the Winter Olympics.

A proposal in Tennessee to offer associate’s and technical degrees for free.

The number of jobless Americans who've lost their extended unemployment benefits has swelled to 1.7 million.

30 million views, 31.8 coins, and 5 million times a day … know what those numbers mean? Must be another Silicon Tally!

The U.S. economy added 113,000 jobs in January, falling below analysts' expectations.

The facilities for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia cost an estimated $50 billion to build.  Some experts at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a public policy research group, are among those claiming that process was riddled with corruption. With the Sochi Opening Ceremony due to start in about four hours, we explore the issue. Meanwhile, the official report on employment and unemployment in America is due today. If it comes in light, fewer than 170,000 extra names on payrolls, the experts will blame the weather. Meanwhile, the number of jobless Americans who’ve lost their extended unemployment benefits has swelled to 1.7 million. Long term unemployed people are confronting what happens when a safety net of last resort, disappears.

This week, Target executives have been answering questions about the hack that resulted in the theft of personal data from tens of millions of people. But while that story continues to develop, there’s something else to consider. Far from credit card and phone numbers, what about all the information in our health records? Turns out a lot of those records aren’t very secure, and might be even more valuable to hackers. And, what do Super Bowl leftovers, hook-up apps, and Steve Ballmer have in common? They’re all part of Silicon Tally this week. Our guest, Molly Mullshine, writes about tech for the website Beta Beat, and joined us to play.

Rookie magazine founder Tavi Gevinson has "World Domination" on her to-do list. And she's skipping fashion week.

When two weeks leads to two months of manufacturing delays.

What the world is doing to keep the tap flowing.

The authors of "How to Win at Everything" share some predictions for what happens if Congress fails to agree about the Debt Ceiling.

Turns out a lot of our medical records aren't very secure, and might be even more valuable to hackers.

A lack of charging station infrastructure is making drivers and investors think twice.

About those viral photos you see flying around from the Olympics…

Marketplace Datebook for February 7th.

More and more banks introduce fees for checking accounts

Coca-Cola's partnership with Green Mountain Coffee– the K-cup people– promises the power to make pop at home. And that's a big deal, why?

Why you should read the whole jobs report, and not just the highlights

The jobs number appears to be falling out of favor with economists. So when it comes to jobs, which number should we trust? Plus, people’s drinking habits are changing — and Green Mountain Coffee is reaping the benefits. Coca-Cola is buying a 10 percent stake in the company. We look at what’s in it for Coke, and what’s in it for consumers, as people’s drinking habits change. Finally, more and more banks are introducing fees for checking accounts and withdrawing the availability of free checking accounts. We look at why the banks have to find ways to boost their revenue streams.

Surprised that the Olympics are in a Russian city you've never heard of?

New shale oil fields in the middle of the country, far from pipelines, depend on rail to get to coastal refineries

There big cuts to jobs in the tech industry in January. Meanwhile the Governor of Tennessee wants to make community college in his state free. And European officials are considering new trade agreements with Cuba.

Despite a favorable report, investors are unhappy about Twitter's number of users.

The National Labor Relations Board wants to change the rules about how workers vote on whether or not to unionize.

What will this mean for Cuba's relationship with the U.S.?

Layoff announcements surged in January in tech and retail sectors.

The co-founder of MADE Fashion Week talks the 'new guard' of American fashion.

Sony of Japan struggles with the Microsoft problem: finding its way in the land of Apple and Samsung.

The announcement from the state's governor is part of a broader workforce development strategy. And similar moves have worked before.

Olympic visitors will have to deal with protecting their data in a country with a less-than-ideal reputation for cyber security.

The Senate will vote today on another bill to extend long-term unemployment benefits for 1.7 million Americans.  In this version of the legislation, millionaires will be ineligible. Plus, Tennessee’s governor wants to make community college or technical school free for all high school graduates in the state. Kate Davidson reports on what’s behind the plan and how the state proposes to pay for the free education.   

A proposal to extend long-term unemployment benefits would exclude Americans who make more than $1Million a year.

Even for popular YouTubers, making money off their videos can be hard.

The winter olympics start Tomorrow in the Russian city of Sochi. Olympians, officials, and reporters have been arriving all week with lots of devices in tow. And that means there’s been a lot of talk about digital surveillance. Russia’s government doesn’t have the best record in, say, protecting freedom of the press. Plus, YouTube used to be a place that was mostly about curiosities, bits of original, unedited video clips by amateurs. Then people started getting serious. The amateurs started getting famous because of what — and how much — video they were putting on the website. YouTube started selling ads on all those videos and giving some of that money to creators. But as one New York Times reporter found out, it can still be hard to make the big bucks even when you’re a super YouTuber.

Twitter's first earnings report offers insight into the stock's future

This daily 30 second story frequently looks at quirky news in the realm of finance. What is, "The Final Note?"

Their lineup is expanding with earlier hours and live-action programming.

And yes, there's a flap unfolding

If you attend the Sochi Olympics, you’ll see a big presence by U.S. corporate sponsors. But here in the U.S., the companies are being pressured to renounce Russia's anti-gay policies.

It has more to do with healthcare than lung cancer

CVS is giving up the smokes, and turning itself into more of a healthcare company. We look at the economics of the new, healthcare focused pharmacy, and ask what CVS’ move means for the pharmacy business. Next, Twitter has spent one year in the public eye. As its earnings come out today, we look at what it needs to do to keep growing in the future. Then, if you attend the Sochi Olympics, you’ll see a big presence by U.S. corporate sponsors — but not so much here at home. Corporate spnosors are keeping a low profile in the U.S., for fear of bad associations with Russian corruption. And finally: The latest battle in the fight over unequal pay for women is the compensation package for GM’s new CEO, Mary Barra. She’ll receive about $4.4 million, compared to the $9 million her predecessor Dan Akerson made.

The Marketplace Datebook for February 6, 2014.

Executives are answering questions about data security.

The BBC's Yogita Lamaye to see how Nadella's home country is reacting to the announcement.

The Obama administration is set to announce the creation of regional offices called climate hubs today. Also, Twitter is set to release its first earnings report.

The regional offices will assist farmers in coping with disasters caused by climate change.

The realization that cigarettes and pharmacies are a very odd pairing.

A look at the app designed by Scottish teenagers to help track cattle.

The Conference Board is out with this month's Help Wanted Online index. It’s a survey of some 16,000 online job listings.

Usually the technology of war is focused on destroying life, but one start up is working on inventions to save it.

Spain is still suffering from an economic crisis that has left 26 million people unemployed.

The financial trial of the century begins in Ireland as Anglo Irish Bank officials are accused of trying to pump up their share price.

As Twitter reports earnings as a public company for the first time, analysts watch for more than just how much money it brought in.

For one Texas tinkerer, collecting the rain that falls on his roof turned into a business.

In the US, there’s a persistent criticism is that no high-level Wall Street executives went to jail for their role in the 2008 financial collapse. That may not, in the end, be the case in Ireland.  The former chairman and CEO of Anglo Irish Bank, Sean FitzPatrick, and two deputies go on trial today in Dublin for allegedly trying to pump up the bank’s share price.  The trial is described as one of the most complex in Ireland’s history. Meanwhile, as California deals with its record drought, rain has also been hard to come by in Texas. But there’s a man in Dripping Springs, Texas with an unorthodox proposal to address the record water shortages that have gripped much of his state: Collecting rainwater. He installs systems for his neighbors in the hill country west of Austin, and sells “bottled cloud juice” to cafes and hotels in the city.

Ahh, Twitter. Newly minted as a public company. Valued at some $30 billion. But also about to enter that routine that can be painful for a big company of any kind. The quarterly earnings report. At best, Twitter’s revenue plan might be called…still emerging. And, here’s a place you wouldn’t expect to find an award-winning app: A cattle farm in Scotland. The application is, yes, for cattle management. It was designed by teenagers as part of a contest put together by an organization called Apps for Good. 

A Harvard Business School study says so.

Marketplace Tech Report Host Ben Johnson talks about what's next for the tech giant

This Fashion Week, gym wear goes couture

Microsoft hired a CEO today, after 6 months debating: Insider or outsider? It’s a decision that many companies wrestle with, raising questions of expense, innovation, familiarity and more. Next, the markets have now fallen about 8 percent, and we take a look at the concept of “correction.” What does it take to make a “correction” officially? Plus, how the Affordable Care Act could shrink the workforce. The Congressional Budget Office’s newest numbers suggest folks will stop working, while others will work fewer hours. And finally, tech companies are signing on to President Obama’s push to connect all school children to the internet, offering $750 million in hardware, software and internet access. What do these companies stand to gain?

Satya Nadella takes the helm of the tech giant,

The FCC is about to revamp the program that buys broadband access for schools

The Congressional Budget Office says some folks will stop working altogether, while others will work fewer hours

A look back at our most-shared stories from January 2014.

Satya Nadella is Microsoft's new chief executive. We look back at Steve Ballmer's tenure as his successor takes over. And where have manufacturing jobs gone?

Family care outside of the foster system is cheaper, but some children may lose out on services and oversight.

With Microsoft naming its new CEO, we examine the highs and lows of Ballmer's tenure leading the software giant.

A puff of white smoke and Microsoft has a new chief executive.

Investors want action, but will Satya Nadella be able to deliver?

The new health insurance markets should moderate healthcare costs.

A look at the numbers surrounding the continuing stock market losses.

When incentives to recruit new soldiers turns to fraud.

One challenge facing consumer electronics makers is the need for batteries that hold a longer charge.

Every year on my birthday, I’m amazed to discover how many people on Facebook remember. Thanks guys. Well today, some people might be posting well wishes on Facebook’s wall. The social network turns 10 years old today. And for a little 10-year-old, it’s had some major impact on our online lives. And this week, the wearable tech company Pebble launched it’s app store, offering downloads like Yelp notifications that will appear on your smartwatch. But there’s a problem: Battery life. As wearable technology grows, our battery power will need to grow too.

Manufacturing jobs have been inching up, but not to pre-recession levels. The economy has lost about two million factory jobs since the start of the recession.

A lesson from Japan on how American factories are connected to collapsing stock prices.

A new study finds that watching five romantic films, and then talking about them, can cut divorce rates for couples.

A battle for virtual territory in the massively online game EVE Online was its most costly, ever.