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Could Glass-Steagall Have Stopped JPMorgan Loss?
The banking giant's $2 billion loss has many lawmakers and economists wondering what happened to the 2010 financial overhaul, which was supposed to prevent risky hedging. Many are also looking back further — to a Depression-era law, repealed in 1999, that separated commercial and investment bank activities.
npr.org | 20-May-2012 00:13

What Facebook May Mean For Your Portfolio, Even If You Didn't Buy It
With an initial market capitalization of more than $100 billion, Facebook could have a distorting effect on some mutual funds, at least in the short term.
npr.org | 18-May-2012 21:06

JPMorgan's Troubles And The Price Of Eggs
JPMorgan Chase says it lost billions of dollars trading "synthetic derivatives." Do these complex Wall Street transactions ever do anything to help average people? To answer that question, we consider the case of an imaginary company, Chickens LLC, that is looking to grow.
npr.org | 18-May-2012 16:50

Is Now The Time To Vacation In Greece?
The Greek economy depends heavily on tourism. The crisis seems to be scaring away visitors, which would deal the economy another blow. But could the crisis create a bargain for travelers who would simultaneously be giving the Greek economy a boost?
npr.org | 18-May-2012 12:19

Is Facebook Worth $100 Billion?
For Facebook to live up to its valuation, the company will need to redefine advertising as we know it.
npr.org | 15-May-2012 22:01

Buying Facebook? Investing 101 For Newbies
Facebook stock goes public this week for the first time. That's got at least some of the site's 900 million plus users thinking it's a good time to start investing. Host Michel Martin asks personal finance expert Louis Barajas what new investors need to know when they're ready to take their first steps.
npr.org | 15-May-2012 18:00

Paying For College: More Tough Decisions
From your late 40s through early 60s, you're supposed to squirrel away cash to cope with health care costs in your old age. But for millions of Americans, middle age also is the time when children are seeking help with higher-education bills, and elderly parents may be needing assistance with daily care.
npr.org | 15-May-2012 09:07

Paying for College: More Tough Decisions
From your late 40s through early 60s, you're supposed to squirrel away cash to cope with health care costs in your old age. But for millions of Americans, middle age also is the time when children are seeking help with higher-education bills, and elderly parents may be needing assistance with daily care.
npr.org | 15-May-2012 09:07

Canada's Housing Market Booms; Experts See Trouble
Canada's real estate market is one of the hottest in the developed world. In Toronto, where prices rose 10 percent in March, the average detached house costs more than $600,000. But some worry that Canada is experiencing a housing bubble that's about to burst.
npr.org | 15-May-2012 09:05

The Price We Pay: Gas Is Down, Maybe For A While
After spending much of the year on the rise, gas prices are now falling — dropping nearly 20 cents in one month. Industry analysts expect the price to keep falling, but that might not take the strain off your wallet yet.
npr.org | 13-May-2012 12:20

'Sandwich Generation' Must Make Tough Choices
Record numbers of families consist of adult children, parents and grandparents under one roof. NPR correspondent David Greene and senior business editor Marilyn Geewax talk about the NPR series "Family Matters: The Money Squeeze," which focuses on the pressures faced by the "sandwich generation."
npr.org | 08-May-2012 19:00

Can Mo' Money Really Mean Mo' Problems?
Many people believe money can solve all their problems. But Richard Watts, a financial and legal advisor to the very rich, says there's some truth to the saying, "more money, more problems." Watts speaks with host Michel Martin about his new book, Fables of Fortune: What Rich People Have That You Don't Want .
npr.org | 08-May-2012 18:00

Students To Congress: Don't Let Interest Rate Double
If lawmakers can't come to an agreement, the federal Stafford loan interest rate will jump from 3.4 to 6.8 percent on July 1, adding an average of $1,000 to the cost of a year of college. Students from across the country visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday to ask Congress to keep that from happening.
npr.org | 08-May-2012 17:34

Why Your Drug Copay Could Change
Insurers and employers are looking to stem the rising costs of expensive specialty drugs. One approach is to vary the copayment depending on the health value they calculate the drugs provide.
npr.org | 08-May-2012 15:46

Long-Term-Care Insurance: Who Needs It?
As the nation's roughly 78 million baby boomers move into old age, the need for long-term care will soar. But when it comes to long-term-care insurance, relatively few sign up. The policies can be expensive and some big insurance companies have stopped offering them.
npr.org | 08-May-2012 09:13

Before The IPO: A Private Market For Tech Shares
Facebook will soon go public, allowing anyone to buy shares of the social networking giant. But sophisticated investors have already been buying pieces of Facebook and other hot tech stocks, on private exchanges and secondary markets.
npr.org | 07-May-2012 08:46

'Be Richer' By Learning From Parents' Mistakes
New college graduates face a sluggish economy, bleak job prospects and mountains of student loan debt. To make matters worse, many are clueless about managing their personal finances. Zac Bissonnette, author of How to Be Richer, Smarter, and Better-Looking Than Your Parents , shares his tips.
npr.org | 03-May-2012 20:15

When Are You Going To Start Your 5 Year Plan?
As Tell Me More marks five years on NPR's airwaves, personal finance expert Alvin Hall says to let go of the past, and look ahead to your financial future. He says that you can achieve a lot in next five years, and it starts with saving. Hall speaks with host Michel Martin about creating and implementing a personal five-year financial plan.
npr.org | 01-May-2012 18:00

Some Housing Markets Rebound, But Bargains Scarce
The real estate market has turned around in some parts of the U.S., but many buyers aren't seeing true bargains any more. Investors are driving up prices, and inventory is low, especially for homes priced under $250,000. That's not great news for anyone hoping to buy an affordable house to live in.
npr.org | 01-May-2012 09:05

Discovering The True Cost Of At-Home Caregiving
Few people want to turn over a loved one to institutional care. No matter how good the nursing home, it may seem cold and impersonal — and very expensive. But making the choice to provide care yourself is fraught with financial risks and personal sacrifices.
npr.org | 01-May-2012 08:57

As Portfolios Recover, More Workers Retire At 65
Many older baby boomers — those already 65 — are choosing to go ahead with retirement rather than wait. That's according to a study by MetLife, which says 45 percent of 65 year olds described themselves as "fully retired." Only 5 percent retired later than planned.
npr.org | 01-May-2012 08:41

Contracts To Buy Homes Up; Mortgage Rates Dip
Contracts to buy homes rose in March, the latest sign the battered housing market is slowly improving. The National Association of Realtors index of sales agreements increased 4.1 percent to the highest level since April 2010. And the average rate on 30-year fixed mortgages dropped to 3.88 percent this week.
npr.org | 26-Apr-2012 16:30

Parents Hold Bake Sales To Pay Teachers
After years of cuts to public school budgets across the country, many districts are relying on parents to pay for classroom supplies, extracurricular activities and even teacher salaries. But some worry that uneven distribution of funds will widen disparities between schools and between districts.
npr.org | 25-Apr-2012 19:00

Negotiating The College Funding Labyrinth
Paying for college is kind of like solving a mystery. What do four years of college really cost? Are your loans government or private? And when you graduate, how much will you really owe? Many students and parents don't have a clue.
npr.org | 25-Apr-2012 07:35

Un- and Under-Employment Awaits Many College Grads
Many young graduates take lower-paying jobs as waiters or cashiers that pay the bills, but rarely use the skills they learned in college and often have little money left to pay off student loans. And the choices they make early in their careers often have a long-lasting financial impact.
npr.org | 24-Apr-2012 19:00

Can You Pay For Yourself, Your Kids, Your Parents?
More adults are helping pay for aging parents, at an average of $3,500 a month, according to MetLife. That's why experts say it's vital to plan for a future that includes parents. For NPR's series, "Family Matters: The Money Squeeze," host Michel Martin speaks with NPR's Marilyn Geewax, journalist Joan Lunden, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
npr.org | 24-Apr-2012 18:00

Dream Adventure Vacation Can Turn Into Medical Bill Nightmare
Chances are your domestic health plan won't pick up the tab for medical care overseas, and it almost certainly won't cover you if you're seriously hurt and need to be evacuated by air to a medical facility. Even special polices to help overseas may not be enough if you engage in risky adventures.
npr.org | 24-Apr-2012 16:36

Preparing For A Future That Includes Aging Parents
Nearly 10 million adult children are caring for aging parents today, according to a study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. But, while aging is inevitable, planning for the costs associated with dependency in the latter phase of life doesn't come easily to most Americans.
npr.org | 24-Apr-2012 09:29

How Long Will Social Security Last?
Trustees of the social security trust fund give an update on how long the funding will last.
npr.org | 23-Apr-2012 21:00

Romney Backs Extension Of Student Loan Relief
Mitt Romney on Monday endorsed the idea of extending a law that curbs interest rates paid by some recipients of federal student loans, a cause that President Obama has made a campaign issue.
npr.org | 23-Apr-2012 19:58

What America Owes In Student Loans
Total student debt has gone through the roof. But the average debt per college grad has gone up much more slowly.
npr.org | 23-Apr-2012 17:14

Poverty In America: Defining The New Poor
Welfare reform in the 1990s, helped slash cash benefit rolls, and yet food stamps are soaring today. One of the original architects of the reform bill says it was a success, but an official who resigned in protest of the bill says that poverty is still on the rise.
npr.org | 22-Apr-2012 23:29

Working Moms' Challenges: Paid Leave, Child Care
The past week's political firestorm has focused on stay-at-home moms. But more than 70 percent of women with young children now work. And they're hoping the candidates address some of the challenges they face balancing a job with kids.
npr.org | 20-Apr-2012 09:23

Drinking On The Job: Is 2012 The New 1966?
The TV show Mad Men has won fans for breathing life — and a heavy whiff of bourbon — into the fictional workplace of the 1960s. And it seems that some U.S. companies are still at it — at least, they're making sure their employees have easy access to liquor and beer.
npr.org | 18-Apr-2012 17:55

One Roof, Three Generations, Many Decisions
To cope with the hard times, millions of families have pulled together — stacking two, three, even four generations on top of one another. An NPR series explores the lives of three multigenerational households struggling with issues of money, duty and love.
npr.org | 17-Apr-2012 06:02

Family Matters: Meet The Families
Meet the families in Morning Edition 's series about three multigenerational households struggling with issues of money, duty and love.
npr.org | 17-Apr-2012 06:01

Do You Get Warm, Fuzzy Feelings When Paying Taxes?
If you don't, you're not alone. Attitudes over taxes have soured over the years, but there were times when Americans felt a sense of duty to pay taxes. Host Michel Martin discusses the history of taxes with Joseph Thorndike, a columnist for Tax Analysts and co-author of War and Taxes .
npr.org | 16-Apr-2012 18:00

The Tax Man Cometh! But For Whom?
It's tax week, and many Americans are likely scrambling to get their paperwork in before Tuesday's deadline. Weekends on All Things Considered takes a look at why the top 10 percent of income earners pay 70 percent of all federal income taxes. And, is it possible to live legally without paying any taxes at all?
npr.org | 15-Apr-2012 23:36

Why Tax Day Falls On April 17 This Year
Taxpayers have a couple of extra days to get their federal returns in this year. April 15 falls on a Sunday. So why are taxes due on Tuesday, April 17, and not Monday?
npr.org | 13-Apr-2012 17:25

What America Pays In Taxes
How much did people in your income bracket pay in taxes? And what was the government's total tax take, from all sources?
npr.org | 13-Apr-2012 17:21

Agency Backs Off Plan To Limit Credit Card Fees
The Obama administration's consumer financial watchdog agency is backing off a plan to limit big upfront fees on credit cards, a move that could hit borrowers with poor credit histories especially hard. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau acknowledged its proposal would increase costs for some cardholders.
npr.org | 13-Apr-2012 00:18

Couples Can Conflict Over When To Retire
As more baby boomers prepare to retire, they're increasingly facing complicated negotiations with their spouses. Many of them live in dual-income households. And while each partner may have very specific ideas about when to retire, they often avoid discussions about retirement altogether.
npr.org | 12-Apr-2012 19:00

Taxes Lead To Stress Which Leads To Fatal Wrecks
Death and taxes may be connected in ways Ben Franklin couldn't have imagined. Researchers found a six percent increase in fatal auto accidents on the day federal taxes are due. The most likely culprit: stress.
npr.org | 12-Apr-2012 10:00

Your (Virtual) Future Self Wants You To Save Up
Experts say one of the biggest barriers to saving for retirement is psychological: It can be hard to save when retirement feels so far away. Now, new research has found a way around that barrier with technology that lets you "meet" a digital version of the person you're saving for — your retired self.
npr.org | 11-Apr-2012 23:23

The Problems With Pennies
It's time to kill the penny. That's what Daniel Akst argues in a recent op-ed on Newsday.com. "Pennies," he writes, "are a pain in the neck, only more so because they're worthless." While the penny isn't quite worthless, it does cost more than two cents to create each one.
npr.org | 11-Apr-2012 19:00

Tax-Time Procrastination, An American Tradition
The April deadline comes around every year. Still, with six days left before taxes are due, many people continue to put off filing. The boxes of receipts, stacks of W-2s and 1099s are daunting enough. Add in row after row of fill-in boxes on the 1040, and it's no wonder so many people procrastinate.
npr.org | 11-Apr-2012 19:00