Marketplace Money Stories

In the first of our series, Money Changes Everything, reporter Sean Cole follows the story of four recession-struck friends who embark on a mission to build "Fort Awesome" and live off the land on a $550 parcel in the Texas desert purchased on eBay

Tess Vigeland talks to Beverly Davis of Cornbread Millionaire about Davis trying to save her foreclosed home by selling cornbread mix, bumper stickers and a cookbook.

Tess Vigeland and Marketplace's economics editor Chris Farrell talk to callers who are deciding where to place their extra money — savings, debt or a mortgage payment?

Tess Vigeland speaks to economist Dean Baker and former secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros about government subsidies for homeownership.

Tess Vigeland talks to Marketplace's web producer Dalasie Michaelis on why he spends so much on shampoo and also to marketing Professor Erica Okada about her theory on why Dalasie and other consumers decide to opt for an expensive bottle versus a cheaper one.

Federal Housing Administration home loans used to be just a sliver of the nation's housing market, but now it's one-third. The FHA loans may have helped what would've been an even more stagnant housing market, but federal mortgages may not be sustainable.

It used to be that teens were racing to get their license. But with the Internet, teens can socialize and study together without having to go anywhere, which makes a license a less pressing need.

Tess Vigeland talks to Nicholas Percoco of Trustwave, an information security group, about how hackers can get your credit card information during a hotel stay.

Text book prices have increased 7 1/2 percent in the past two years, according to the Labor Department. A new law taking effect this month aims to softened the burden for college students. Marketplace's Amy Scott reports.

Studies show that women aren't great negotiators. Often times, women don't want to come off as aggressive or boasting. Marketplace Money follows up on a story we did last year on why women make such lousy negotiators.