The latest Attitude Check explores what bugs Americans the most about the economy and how we feel about our standard of living. Private equity is the talk of the town, but how much do you know about these funds? Retail sales surprisingly hit record highs in 2011. The new wave of charitable giving is just one click away. British artist Damien Hirst is opening multiple exhibitions at Gagosian galleries around the world. Youth radio reporter Rayana Godfrey looks at the changing habits of TV viewers. And advertiser Janice Suter discusses what firms are doing to attract younger viewers.

Super PACs are changing the way political campaigns are run. Freakonomics Radio’s Stephen Dubner explains how important (or unimportant) money is during primary season. Commentator Robert Reich says you can’t take the decrease in unemployment numbers at face value. A new study says that the wealth gap is becoming a major issue in people’s minds. Sprint has announced that all its phones will go through an environmental certification process. And Kai Ryssdal talks to the president CBS Interactive about the future of television, and to the CEO of Yum Brands about the global expansion of the company.

In the latest installment of our series on the future of TV, Jennifer Collins reports from CES on the coming changes in how we watch and what we’ll see. The number of SEC filings rose by 4 percent last year. Marketplace’s Heidi Moore breaks down the business of private equity. The CEO of WebMD Health resigned today, and sweets-maker Hostess filed for Chapter 11. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is in China to try and get leaders there on board for sanctions against Iran. And a new book asks “Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?”

Marketplace Tech Report’s John Moe reports from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on the future of television. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne talks about the big years coming up for his company and the auto industry. Consumer advice celebrity Suze Orman is breaking into the prepaid debit card business. Commentator Mark Laws recounts how one payday loan took over his life. The U.S. is going through a snow drought. In the past year, the number of nuclear reactors operating globally fell. And reporter Gregory Warner takes a look at whether economic hard times change people’s perceptions about how much health care they need.

The new unemployment figures may be signaling that the economy is finally getting back on track. Kai Ryssdal visits a jobs counselor to see a different side of the job market. Penn State has a new head coach, and the alumni aren’t happy. The increase in smartphone usage is clogging up the airwaves. Chinese officials are concerned about the messages pop culture TV shows send. And commentator Reiham Salam explores the economic impact caused by mass incarceration in the U.S.

The European Union proposed a ban on Iranian oil. More Americans are renting than buying. Alabama’s strict immigration law puts the state at an economic disadvantage. The latest Attitude Check with Gallup gauges Americans’ consumer confidence before Friday’s unemployment report. Economy 4.0’s David Brancaccio talks about the future of Kodak. Barnes & Noble may be planning to spin off its Nook e-reader business. And commentator Mark Bittman explores the prevalence of processed foods and the trend of child obesity in the U.S.

President Obama appointed Richard Cordray as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Yahoo has a new CEO. Scott Tong’s series on famine and aid in Africa explains the complications of getting aid in the hands of those who need it. A commentary asks, what’s next for the Arab Spring? London correspondent Stephen Beard examines the history of currency unions. Martha Stewart’s empire struggles, while the Broadway musical  “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” breaks sales records.

The Republican presidential candidates have been getting something of a bargain so far in this election. About a year since the protests in Egypt, the military remains a force there. David Brancaccio talks about a study that figured out how many people will fall off a financial cliff this year. Bank of America is tightening credit to some of its small-business borrowers. Commentator Dahlia Lithwick goes over what the Supreme Court will discuss in the health care reform debate. A woman is suing Honda over allegedly false gas mileage numbers. And Rupert Murdoch’s wife Wendi Deng’s verified Twitter account turned out to be a hoax. Bank of America is tightening credit to some of its small-business borrowers.

The Iowa caucuses are not only a big deal politically, but financially to the state as well. New economic data about manufacturing activity around the world show things may be turning around. At the start of 2012, eight states increased their minimum wage to keep pace with inflation, and the small change could make a big impact. The sports channel Versus rebranded as the NBC Sports Network today. We also look into how music and sound affect the workplace, how managing weight and finances are similar, and what’s behind job-hunt success.