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Year In Review: Mega Tech Brands Raise Megabucks

LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman watches as his company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange in May. Despite the global economic uncertainty, tech companies held steady on Wall Street. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

Technology

Year In Review: Mega Tech Brands Raise Megabucks

This year was tumultuous for stocks. But that didn't scare off mega brands in technology. Twenty-eight tech companies went public and raised more than $6 billion — a whopping 85 percent increase over 2010. Winners included LinkedIn; busts included Groupon.

Year In Review: Mega Tech Brands Raise Megabucks

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It Was A Good Year For...

Credit Unions Booming From Anti-Bank Outrage

Customer satisfaction for credit unions soared this year, and roughly a million Americans moved their money into credit unions, according to the Credit Union National Association. This was partly due to backlash against big banks instituting new fees. Host Michel Martin hears from regular financial contributor Alvin Hall.

Credit Unions Booming From Anti-Bank Outrage

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Investors Endure Another Disappointing Year

Traders Richard Cohen (left) and Lewis Vande-Pallen work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 21. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Business

Investors Endure Another Disappointing Year

In 2011, savers earned almost no interest in savings accounts. That was painful because consumer prices were rising by nearly 3.5 percent. Investors also found it tough going. Most stocks declined, with prices falling by roughly 5 percent across the board. But there were some bright spots: gold and bonds.

Hear Marilyn Geewax On 'Talk Of The Nation'

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Money Coach

This New Year, Resolve To Improve Your Credit

Personal finance experts say the start of a new year is the perfect time to check your credit report. Host Michel Martin speaks with Tell Me More regular 'Money Coach' Alvin Hall about what to look for and how to boost your credit in 2012.

This New Year, Resolve To Improve Your Credit

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Ways To Cut Your Tax Bill Before 2011 Ends

Taxes might not be due until April, but there are a few things you can do before the new year to lower your bill. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

Ways To Cut Your Tax Bill Before 2011 Ends

Tax season is months away, but there are steps you can take before year's end that could save you money when it's time to file. An editor at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine recommends taking advantage of an energy-efficient-home credit set to expire this year, and giving yourself what she calls a self-made pay raise.

Ways To Cut Your Tax Bill Before 2011 Ends

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An Early College Economics Lesson For One Student

Youth Radio's Sayre Quevedo, 19, attends community college and lives in Oakland, Calif. Courtesy of Youth Radio hide caption

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Courtesy of Youth Radio

Opinion

YR Media

An Early College Economics Lesson For One Student

Youth Radio's Sayre Quevedo had to scale back his college plans once he realized his dreams were bigger than his wallet.

An Early College Economics Lesson For One Student

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Television

Crowd-Sourced Giving Changes Philanthropy

Websites like Kickstarter, Kiva and Giving Tree are changing how people donate money. With what's known as microphilanthropy, individuals, non-profits and even small businesses raise money directly from individual donors. Journalist and author Laura Vanderkam explains how crowd funding works.

Crowd-Sourced Giving Changes Philanthropy

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Money Scams Snare Desperate Investors

The holidays are often a peak season for scams. In 2011, those swindles go far beyond the suspicious email asking for a helping hand or the bogus charity organization pleading for help. Regulators report a significant rise in the number of baby boomers who are targeted in investment scams.

Money Scams Snare Desperate Investors

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Money Coach

Why Do So Few Women Have Mentors?

A good mentor can steer you to professional success. But according to a survey by LinkedIn, nearly 1 out of 5 women say they've never had a mentor at work. Host Michel Martin discusses the findings with Linked-In's Nicole Williams.

Why Do So Few Women Have Mentors?

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White House Kills Dollar Coin Program

Dollar coins gathering dust in the Fed's Baltimore brach. John W. Poole/NPR hide caption

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John W. Poole/NPR

Planet Money

White House Kills Dollar Coin Program

More than 1 billion coins are sitting unwanted in government vaults. Ending the program will save an estimated $50 million a year.

White House Kills Dollar Coin Program

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Economy

Just What Do The Rich Have That's Taxable?

The top income tax bracket in America is 35 percent, but the rich often make their money in ways the IRS doesn't classify as taxable income. That makes it hard to gauge the true income gap in America — and hard to tell exactly how much tax the rich are really paying.

Just What Do The Rich Have That's Taxable?

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