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Tuesday

Economy

What Strong Holiday Retail Means For US Economy

Black Friday sales surged to their highest level since 2007, and early results from Cyber Monday's online sales are up almost 20 percent over 2010. The U.S. economy and many consumers continue to struggle, however, and some forecasters worry that the encouraging retail boost is unsustainable.

What Strong Holiday Retail Means For US Economy

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Politics

Before Holidays, Congress Still Has Plenty To Do

Congress had been hoping the deal supercommittee would, along with its deficit cutting plan, also deal with unemployment benefits and the payroll tax holiday. Now, with the supercommittee failed and folded, Congress will need to act in the final weeks of the year on these and other pressing deadlines.

Before Holidays, Congress Still Has Plenty To Do

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Thursday

On Black Friday, How To Shop But Not Drop

Americans spend more money shopping than the other 47 weeks of the year combined. It all starts on Black Friday. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with consumer credit expert John Ulzheimer about how to shop for the holidays and avoid the financial hangover.

On Black Friday, How To Shop But Not Drop

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Wednesday

Economy

In N.H. Trip, Obama Pushes Keeping Payroll Tax Cut

New Hampshire voters have seen plenty of the Republican presidential candidates. But on Tuesday, they got a visit from President Obama, who was promoting part of his jobs plan. The payroll tax cut is due to expire at the end of next month.

In N.H. Trip, Obama Pushes Keeping Payroll Tax Cut

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Tuesday

Wal-Mart Lures Bank Customers Frustrated By Fees

Linda Black of Nashville, Tenn., says she left Bank of America after repeatedly being hit by fees. She now uses the Walmart MoneyCard instead, which has a flat fee of $3 a month. Blake Farmer for NPR hide caption

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Blake Farmer for NPR

Wal-Mart Lures Bank Customers Frustrated By Fees

WPLN

The retailer's prepaid debit card is catching on with people who've been burned by extra charges at big banks. The card costs a flat $3 a month and doesn't allow overdrafts. Banks have lobbied against Wal-Mart's entrance into the financial sector, but "their worst fears came true," one analyst says.

Wal-Mart Lures Bank Customers Frustrated By Fees

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Monday

Buying A Savings Bond Is About To Get Harder
U.S. Treasury Department

Planet Money

Buying A Savings Bond Is About To Get Harder

Over the course of the 20th century, everyone from John Wayne to Superman told Americans to buy savings bonds. But these days, fewer and fewer people are buying them. Starting this January, banks will stop selling them.

Buying A Savings Bond Is About To Get Harder

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Sunday

For Retirees, Selling Pensions A Risky Bet

In today's tough economy many people are doing whatever they can to make it through one more mortgage payment or survive other financial hardships that have reached their doorstep. Desperate times often call for desperate measures, and for some retirees that means selling their pensions for a lump sum payment.

For Retirees, Selling Pensions A Risky Bet

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Sunday

Gen X Takes The Housing Hit; Boomers Only Grazed

Prices are about a third lower than they were in 2006, and they are continuing to drop in most cities. The National Association of Realtors says that this summer, prices fell nearly 5 percent compared with last year. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Economy

Gen X Takes The Housing Hit; Boomers Only Grazed

The flailing housing market has yet to show major signs of recovery, which is bad news for today's home sellers. But even worse, the slump could permanently reduce the net wealth of an entire generation.

Gen X Takes The Housing Hit; Boomers Only Grazed

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Would-Be Sellers Become Reluctant Landlords

Many homeowners find they can't sell their homes so instead they reluctantly become landlords. courtneyk/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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courtneyk/iStockphoto.com

Crisis In The Housing Market

Would-Be Sellers Become Reluctant Landlords

The rental market provides an alternative for many owners whose homes aren't selling during the housing downtown. But being a landlord can have unanticipated challenges.

Would-Be Sellers Become Reluctant Landlords

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Saturday

Education

Educated And Jobless: What's Next For Millennials?

The Occupy Wall Street protests have turned a spotlight on the growing frustration among the millennial generation, a group that has suffered crushing student loan debt and high rates of unemployment. But some say inflated expectations and the lack of guidance toward "employable" majors are also keeping graduates out of work.

Educated And Jobless: What's Next For Millennials?

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Monday

Education

For-Profit Education Provider Faces Trouble

Career Education Corporation, a major for-profit post-secondary education provider, is facing trouble after it admitted to supplying misleading information on job placement rates. Other for-profit companies are struggling too, under pressure from new federal rules.

For-Profit Education Provider Faces Trouble

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Older Adults Are Now 47 Times Richer Than Those Under 35

In Los Angeles: A man dressed as John Lennon at the "Move Your Money" protest on Saturday. He and others protested bank fees and pushed for "good jobs." David McNew/Getty Images hide caption

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David McNew/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Older Adults Are Now 47 Times Richer Than Those Under 35

In the U.S., the older population's net worth has gone up sharply in the past quarter century, while younger adults' wealth has declined. That news will add to the sense among many that times are tough for the nation's younger adults.

Sunday

Economy

Middle Class Life Further Away For Next Generation

Over the last three decades, the gap between the very rich and the very poor has grown exponentially. In the yawning middle is a group for whom it's getting harder and harder to stay in place economically. Host Audie Cornish speaks with two generations of a middle-class family that face drastically different financial futures.

Middle Class Life Further Away For Next Generation

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Saturday

Who Benefits When A Private Prison Comes To Town?

The entrance to the Two Rivers Regional Detention Facility in Hardin, Mont. The 464-bed detention facility was built with the promise of bringing jobs and stimulating the economy, but it has sat empty since it was completed in 2007. Matthew Brown/AP hide caption

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Matthew Brown/AP

National

Who Benefits When A Private Prison Comes To Town?

Critics have long questioned the quality of private prisons and the promises of economic benefits where they are built. But proponents say private prisons not only save taxpayers money, but they also generate income for the surrounding community.

Who Benefits When A Private Prison Comes To Town?

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Thursday

As Foreclosures Surge, Help Is Often Hard to Find

Residents pack an auditorium during a town hall on mortgages organized by Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, or VOICE, in Northern Virginia. Todd Parola/Todd Parola Photography hide caption

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Todd Parola/Todd Parola Photography

Crisis In The Housing Market

As Foreclosures Surge, Help Is Often Hard to Find

Nearly a quarter of U.S. homes with mortgages are underwater. But federal budget cuts have sharply reduced the supply of housing counselors who can help distressed homeowners in the nation's hardest hit communities. One Virginia city is demanding — with some success — that banks pick up the tab.