Friday, September 25, 2009
In this show. . .

Banks draft changes to overdraft fees
If you ever spent more with your debit card than was in your account, your bank may have paid the amount but then slammed you with a big overdraft fee. Banks impose such policies as "protection plans." But now, as Stacey Vanek-Smith reports, you'll have a choice of whether you want one.

Painless spending can hurt pocketbooks
Using a credit card is easy. Writing a check is more time consuming. Host Tess Vigeland talks with personal finance columnist Jason Zweig about how different ways of paying can affect how much we spend.

We demand plain vanilla products
Finance charges, compound interest ... the dizzying amount of financial terms can be confusing. That's why commentator Chris Farrell says financial institutions need to offer customers simple products they can understand.

Can't find work? Try looking for cash.
A lot of people are still searching for work and collecting unemployment. But that isn't stopping them from hunting for cash in unusual ways. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Avoid being a freelance pushover
If you're relying on freelance work to pay the bills, how do you make sure you're getting paid what you deserve for those now-and-again gigs? Host Tess Vigeland gets answers from Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire.

The former lives of steelworkers
Pittsburgh, site of the G-20 conference this past week, was once home to thousands of steelworkers. Rico Gagliano talks to two of them about how they moved on after their industry collapsed.

Getting Personal
Host Tess Vigeland and Chris Farrell answer listener questions about personal finance.

Loan-modification firms wreak havoc
Steve Henn reports on how loan-modification firms are preying on already desperate people who are facing foreclosure. This story is part of a joint investigation by Marketplace and ProPublica.

Second City's a big stage in their lives
Finding work in show biz is tough, especially in this economy. A current member and an alumnus of Chicago's famous Second City theater talk with host Tess Vigeland about the comedy and tragedy of being a performer.
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
- Podcast »
Listen to 'After the Bell'
In his weekly podcast, Scott Jagow makes sense of the week in business and the economy. Subscribe now.
- 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: Income-based student loans
You recently reported on a student loan option that was being offered as part of the government stimulus package, which is based on a person's income.... I was wondering if you could please let me know where to find this information. Thanks. Ethan, Minneapolis, MN Read Chris Farrell's answer »


