Marketplace Money Stories

Tess Vigeland and Kathy Kristof of Kiplingers Personal Finance answer your personal finance questions.

At a time when it's easier than ever for military service men and women to have their identity's stolen or lose a home to foreclosure, military officials are trying to make sure troops have their financial affairs in order before shipping out.

Governors around the country are struggling to close budget deficits. High on the budget list in most states is cutting public employee wages and benefits, which employees are protesting. Marketplace Money's economics editor Chris Farrell believes there's a personal finance message in the turmoil.

Tess Vigeland and MSN's Liz Weston answer listener questions. This week, Liz offers suggestions on the best way to get out of debt and tell us whether or not it's wise to invest in the stock market over the housing industry.

Tess Vigeland and senior producer Deborah Clark goes over listener responses to recent stories. This week: People who want to offer their zip code to the cashier, and the good and the bad of reverse mortgages.

For the winner of a German investment contest the answer was easy — a little bit of luck and a lot of derivatives.

Alan Escabar let's us take a peek into his wallet and talks about making music on the streets.

Can thinking like an economist spruce up your sex life and help get the dirty dishes clean? Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson, authors of "Spousonomics," talk with Tess Vigeland about why treating your marriage like a business partnership might help solve some of your marital issues.

"Crash taxes" may go by other names, but they're essentially fees for public services like fire department response and clean-up in auto accidents. But who should foot the bill?

The housing crisis has forced the U.S. government to take a second look at how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operate. So how could those mortgage giants change?