Friday, August 7, 2009
In this show. . .
Where it pays to make it from scratch
Is it worth it to make your own butter? Jennifer Reese explores the most cost-effective approach to do-it-yourself food in her frugal-minded blog, The Tipsy Baker. Tess Vigeland paid her a visit and helped her make bagels.
Watchdog sniffs out mortgage lenders
The Fair Mortgage Collaborative is a nonprofit created by housing industry insiders vowing to help change the kinds of mortgages we're offered and the way we get them. Tess Vigeland talks to executive director Howard Banker about how it works.
Straight Story: Beware of home equity
A recent study shows many foreclosures don't come from people who bought at the top of the housing bubble, but come from homeowners who got into trouble with home equity loans. Economics editor Chris Farrell talks with Tess Vigeland.
Pink slips meet the digital age
When commentator Lisa McIntire was laid off, she wasn't handed a physical pink slip. Through social networking, e-mails and IMs, the ex-tech worker tells the story of how she found out her former employer had let her go.
China focuses rebate on rural shoppers
Millions of Chinese consumers are just now getting wealthy enough to buy certain appliances. And lately the government has been encouraging them to spend. Scott Tong explores how a rebate program is getting villagers to stores.
Will Americans continue to save?
The U.S. savings rate is now the highest it's been since 1998. Tess Vigeland talks to former Undersecretary of Commerce Robert Shapiro about whether he thinks the rate will stick.
NYC can spare a dime to save
Last year, New York City started a program to encourage low-income residents to save -- and it's working. Alisa Roth explores how "Save NYC" has helped New Yorkers stash money away, even with none to spare.
Crashed car? Don't wreck your finances
Marketplace's Cash Peters was working on a story about his car . . . when he crashed it. He learned more than he every expected to about the world of repairs and how to look out for second-rate parts. And he has the skinny on how to go about it.
Getting Personal
Tess Vigeland and Chris Farrell talk to listeners about retirement accounts, including where to put your money if you want a socially responsible investment option and your company doesn't offer one.
Money Question of the Week
How do you teach your kids about money?
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College Confessions
If you made money mistakes during your college career, you're not alone. Hear Marketplace staffers confess to how they handled their finances.
Music From This Show
- The Whiteboard »
Hostile takeovers
Watch the videoWe all know what a takeover is. That's when one company agrees to be bought by another. But what happens when companies don't agree and the takeover goes hostile? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains. Watch the video.
- Special Reports and Series
Built on Belief »
One year after the fall of Lehman Brothers, Americans' have lost faith in the financial system and learned some hard lessons. Get more.
The Big Shift »
The recession has changed our financial lives. A look at wealth and prosperity in the middle class and how we live now. Get more.
The Borrowers »
How living beyond our means helped bring down the economy. The role of personal debt in the financial crisis, and where we go from here. Get more.
The Next American Dream »
How four pillars of the American Dream are changing. What's in your future?
Taking Stock »
Conversations with individuals who can give us the long view of our economic situation. Get their views.
- Getting Personal »
Q: A China bull
I would like to consider putting a small portion of my retirement (and/or other) investment money in Chinese stocks. Is this a reasonable thing to do and, if so, can you recommend some funds, or a place to investigate potential funds? Thanks, Lyle, Big Horn, WY Read Chris Farrell's answer »
