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Friday

Planet Money

GM Faces Long Odds In Paying Back Its Bailout

The U.S. government has poured $50 billion into General Motors, and taxpayers own 61 percent of the automaker's stock. Now the question is whether sales can ever recover enough for the public to get its money back.

GM Faces Long Odds In Paying Back Its Bailout

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Wednesday

Regulators Debate Pros, Cons Of 'Too Big To Fail'

Some high-level policymakers say large firms, such as Bank of America, pose too much danger to the financial system and to taxpayers. Davis Turner/Getty Images hide caption

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Business

Regulators Debate Pros, Cons Of 'Too Big To Fail'

Some high-level policymakers say large financial firms pose too much danger to the financial system and to taxpayers. Others argue that they provide benefits that need to be preserved.

Regulators Debate Pros, Cons Of 'Too Big To Fail'

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Tuesday

Business

Prospective Homeowners Mull $8,000 Tax Credit

To buy, or not to buy? That's the question that many potential first time home buyers are asking themselves. Financial planner Louis Barajas and mortgage specialist Julian Joseph offer tips on buying a home.

Prospective Homeowners Mull $8,000 Tax Credit

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Economy

Econ 223: Latest In Changing Financial World

NPR's Tovia Smith last week introduced us to Anne Witte, an economics professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Witte co-teaches Econ 223, which is a primer on among other things: credit cards, health insurance and 401 (k) plans. Witte talks with Renee Montagne about the importance of the class.

Econ 223: Latest In Changing Financial World

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Sunday

Some Seniors Fend Off Recession On Credit Cards

As the nation slowly recovers from the worst economic meltdown in recent history, older Americans are likely to continue to feel its after-effects. Many seniors on fixed incomes have had to rely on credit cards to stretch their finances, like 74-year-old Florida retiree Esperanza Lops, who accrued $19,000 in debt. David Alecock, a vice president at the non-profit credit counseling service InCharge Debt Solutions, offers advice to those considering retirement.

Some Seniors Fend Off Recession On Credit Cards

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Saturday

Economy

Economists Push Employer Tax Break For New Hiring

Some economists want Congress to approve a tax credit for employers who create new jobs over the next two years. Supporters say it's cheaper for the government to subsidize private employers who hire more workers than to pass huge spending packages to stimulate the economy.

Economists Push Employer Tax Break For New Hiring

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Thursday

Economy

Cash For Seniors Proposal Touches Off Dispute

A White House proposal to give every Social Security recipient a check for $250 next year has provoked a debate over whether seniors really should be given the extra help. Critics say the proposal will just run up the deficit, while others say seniors need help to counter things like rising health care costs.

Cash For Seniors Proposal Touches Off Dispute

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Education

More Colleges Turn To Uncle Sam For Student Loans

If President Obama's plan to change the student loan system passes the Senate, college students will get loans directly from the federal government instead of private lenders. More than 500 colleges have already made the switch in the past year. Consumer banks aren't happy about it.

More Colleges Turn To Uncle Sam For Student Loans

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First-Time Fakes: Frauds Hit Homebuyer Tax Break

Thousands of people have gotten first-time homebuyer tax credits they don't deserve — either because they haven't yet bought a home or because they already own one. The IRS's internal watchdog says the agency needs to do a better job of ferreting out fraud before cutting checks.

First-Time Fakes: Frauds Hit Homebuyer Tax Break

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Wednesday

Reporter's Notebook

Age, Gender Skew Group Health Care Rates

KQED

Most American workers may be unaware that their insurance rates are based on the demographics and medical claims of their co-workers. When a serious medical condition strikes, especially at small companies, everyone can be affected.

Age, Gender Skew Group Health Care Rates

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Tuesday

Health Care Overhaul: Prescriptions For Change

Drug Coupons Hide True Costs From Consumers

Pharmaceutical companies have found a way around higher insurance copays for brand-name drugs. They offer coupon cards so patients don't have to pay more. But insurance companies say that if everyone uses the cards to get pricier name-brand drugs, premiums will rise.

Drug Coupons Hide True Costs From Consumers

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Money Coach Advises "Defer, Defer, Defer"

In our weekly Money Coach segment, Tell Me More's regular contributor on personal finance and the economy, Alvin Hall, walks listeners through how to defer their student loans.

Money Coach Advises "Defer, Defer, Defer"

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Monday

All Tech Considered

E-Decorating Services Offer Cheaper Alternative

If you are a style-conscious person on a coupon-cutting budget, you can get affordable advice online about how to decorate your home. One Los Angeles-based company charges $550 for e-decoration; another in Chicago charges $250.

E-Decorating Services Offer Cheaper Alternative

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