Segments From This Episode

• Strategically defaulting on a home loan

  by Marketplace Staff

  What are the moral and financial implications of walking away from an underwater mortgage? Tess Vigeland talks with Henry Blodget, CEO of the "Business Insider," and Megan McArdle, of the "Atlantic" magazine, about so-called strategic defaults.

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• The state of the American wallet is bad

  by Marketplace Staff

  Commentator Amelia Tyagi says President Obama did exactly what he needed to do in his State of the Union address: call attention to the continued financial woes of the middle class, while offering possible solutions.

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• Home weatherization can pay off big

  by Sam Eaton

  Reporter Sam Eaton turns his home into a model of energy efficiency, and talks about the ways home weatherization can pay off big financially.

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• Subverting the system to help others

  by Marketplace Staff

  Lisa Dodson talks with Tess Vigeland about Americans who break the rules to help those who have trouble making ends meet.

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• Getting Personal

  by Marketplace Staff

  Modern families often have two incomes, but what happens when a family wants to assume a more traditional role? Host Tess Vigeland and Money Economics Editor Chris Farrell answer questions about staying home to raise the kids and what to do once those kids are ready for college.

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• A world-class movie experience

  by Tess Vigeland

  

  Why would anyone pay $29 to see a movie? Tess Vigeland and a few of her friends visit a new theater in Pasadena, Calif. — Gold Class Cinemas — to find out.

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• Listeners on wedding gift requests

  by Marketplace Staff

  Last week, Slate.com's "Dear Prudence," aka Emily Yoffe, weighed in on wedding gift-giving etiquette. This week it's our listeners' turn — for better or worse.

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