Economy Labor Numbers Conjure Up Ghosts Of Past Crises January 31, 2009 • This month, the U.S. hit another milestone — 5.7 million people filed for unemployment benefits in just one week, more than at any time since the figures began to be collected in the 1960s. Host Jacki Lyden reflects on the unemployment figures and speaks with financial historian Richard Sylla about just how relevant past times of hardship — especially the Great Depression — are today.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets In Down Economy, Layoffs Are Contagious January 30, 2009 • The government has announced the U.S. economy shrank at its fastest pace in nearly 27 years. That because consumers and businesses cut spending. Layoffs that began in the real estate and finance sectors are now hitting workers in nearly every field. Some iconic firms are slashing jobs by the thousands.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Dueling Pig Ads Urge People To Save, Spend January 30, 2009 • An American campaign tells people to brew their own coffee and bring their own lunches to work — so they can feed their piggy banks. Meanwhile, a campaign in Finland features a piggy bank with little devil ears — and a message not to feed the recession.
Opinion StoryCorps Recession Triggers Memories Of Great Depression January 30, 2009 • The nation's current financial crisis has been called the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. James Bost, 86, says the tough times have him emulating his father — who took some extreme measures to survive those lean years.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets More Bad News Brewing At Starbucks January 29, 2009 • Coffee giant Starbucks says it is closing 200 more U.S. stores and 100 abroad. Nearly 7,000 employees may lose their jobs in a new round of store closures and cost cutting. With quarterly profits down sharply and the economy getting weaker, Starbucks hopes to slash its costs by $500 million this year.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Marketing When Consumers Aren't Buying January 29, 2009 • With the economy deteriorating and consumers hunkering down, companies face the task of peddling products to people who don't want to spend money. Timothy Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, discusses how companies market during recessions.
Economy Credit Crunch Hits Commercial Real Estate January 28, 2009 • Declining demand and the oversupply of office space suggest this will be a tough year for commercial real estate. Add to this a dearth of credit, and many are urging Congress to use some of the TARP money to help restart commercial real estate securities.
What Don't We Know About Life In A Recession? January 28, 2009 • We know you're doing your best to keep your job, or looking hard for a new one. We know some are going back to school, and we know everybody's scrimping. But what don't we know? Tell us what you, your friends, family, co-workers and communities are doing now that's new.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Home Loan Program Benefits Rural Families January 28, 2009 • Though the country is in the midst of a financial crisis, it's still possible to buy a house with no money down. Relatively small but growing numbers of Americans are turning to an obscure home loan program backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market January 28, 2009 • State Farm has notified officials in Florida that it plans to stop selling property insurance there. The move may leave 1.2 million State Farm customers in the hurricane-prone state looking for an insurance company.
100 Days: On The Road In Troubled Times In Paradise, A Prayer For More Snowmobilers January 28, 2009 • In winter, snowmobiling is like a religion in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Devotees flock to the area, where restaurants advertise "Snowmobilers Welcome," and gas stations serve more snowmobiles than cars. But residents in the town of Paradise say the sinking economy is keeping many tourists home this year.
Pinching Pennies Doesn't Have To Be So Painful January 27, 2009 • As President Barack Obama works to push his $825 billion dollar economic stimulus package through Congress, recent reports of massive layoffs have many pinching pennies to survive a wounded economy. Money coach Alvin Hall offers tips on how lessen the sting of a turbulent economy.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Thousands Of Workers Begin Week With Layoffs January 27, 2009 • Several big names in corporate America announced layoffs Monday. Pfizer, Caterpillar, Sprint Nextel, Home Depot and Texas Instruments said they were cutting thousands of positions. So far this year, nearly 200,000 jobs have been eliminated.
Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets Ding Dong: New Sales Reps Answer Avon's Call January 27, 2009 • Avon was the perfect job for many of America's homemakers back in the bucolic '50s. Now, a new generation of women hopes Avon, as well as Mary Kay Cosmetics, will offer some financial stability in this hard-hit economy. During a downturn, customers still spend money on personal care items.
Health Care Health Care Hurting Because Of The Recession January 26, 2009 • In the U.S., millions of people have lost their jobs and their health insurance. Even those who still have insurance may find themselves cutting back on medical treatments and care. In this recession, are you making difficult decisions about your health care?