Latest Stories

Mutual funds are trying to ease young investors into building their portfolios, but they're not necessarily the best place to go for investment advice. Alex Schmidt explores what it's like to just start out.

What goes around might come around, but can karma apply to our finances? Cash Peters explores the mystical implications and cold, hard reality of tithing after deciding to give away 10 percent of his income.

The number of companies throwing bashes this holiday season has declined almost 10 percent from last year, according to one report. Chalk it up to general worries about the economy. Amy Scott takes a look at one industry in particular that is feeling the pinch.

Stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson chats with host Kai Ryssdal about what happened on Wall Street this week and what may lie ahead.

Whatever weakness the economy's showing, luxury goods continue to sell. The top-end hotel market is booming with plush one-upsmanship. Alex Goldmark looked into reports of six- and even seven-star hotels.

Twenty-five years ago, before the perfect pie crust, the signature series at K-Mart and the minimum-security prison, there was Martha Stewart's first book, "Entertaining." After all this time, says commentator Peter Hyman, the lifestyle queen's best creation remains herself.

Author Robert Kuttner says lawmakers on both sides of the aisle need to answer for the latest hiccup in our economy. His new book, "The Squandering of America" looks at how the failure of our politics undermines our prosperity. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Washington Mutual, this country's biggest savings and loan, is the target of another investigation. This time it's the Securities and Exchange Commission that is looking into whether the S&L handled mortgages based on inflated home appraisals. Jeremy Hobson has more.