Without any firm numbers defining the beginning and end of the middle class, Tess Vigeland checks with experts and the presidential candidates for their definitions.
Sallie Mae, the nation's largest student lender, is getting more selective about handing out loans. Tess talks to FinAid.org's Mark Kantrowitz about the best ways for students to borrow for their education.
Being middle class doesn't always mean making ends meet, forcing families to fall back on credit. Jeremy Hobson talks to families trapped by credit about getting back on their feet.
Economics editor Chris Farrell plays down tales of the decline of the middle class and sets the story straight on some of the big challenges middle class Americans face.
Solder pipes in the morning, hit the books at night — it's a long day for an apprentice plumber. We learn what it takes on this encore Day in the Work Life.
Have you ever heard politicians talk taxes without mentioning the middle class? Tess talks to Scott Hodge of the Tax Foundation to find out if all their efforts are actually helping.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about stretching a middle class salary, managing your own retirement accounts and paying for a car with home equity.
For some, the American dream keeps inching farther away. Stacey Vanek Smith looks at the challenges many minority citizens face as they attempt to join the ranks of the middle class.
Are we better off than our parents or falling behind? Tess talks about the the past and future of the middle class with authors Elizabeth Warren and Gregg Easterbrook.
