Marketplace Money for Friday, February 25, 2011

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.

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.

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

Sometimes the biggest hurdle for home buyers is the down payment. There are non-profits and state home finance agencies that can help. But in the wake of the housing crisis, though, when many home buyers got in over their heads, this raises a big question: If you can't save enough money for a down payment, should you be buying a home at all?

Pre-paid college tuition plans were created to help save parents' bank accounts from the inflation of college costs. But several states are abandoning the pre-paid programs or making big adjustments to them -- and parents are wondering what happens next.

A month ago we heard the story of Karin Andreen. She and her husband were struggling through the maze of mortgage modification red tape, and this week we'll hear about the new developments.

Last week host Tess Vigeland talked to Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson, co-authors of the new book "Spousonomics." This week, they offer some "Spousonomics" counseling to one couple.

Figuring out how to pay for college -- that's certainly tough, but it's only the first step. Eventually, your kid has to be accepted to go to college. Host Tess Vigeland talks to Andrew Ferguson, the author of the new book "Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course in Getting His Kid into College."

Top movie critics weigh in on their favorite movies that have a financial slant