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Tuesday

Money Coach

The Fight Over Overdraft Fees

Banks recently made huge profits from overdraft fees. Now the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asks how much of that was bad money management by customers, and how much was banks gaming the system. Host Michel Martin talks with Washington Post Financial Reporter Ylan Mui and regular financial contributor Alvin Hall.

The Fight Over Overdraft Fees

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Monday

Economy

Gas Prices Put The Brakes On Economic Recovery?

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has skyrocketed to $3.65. Host Michel Martin and NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax explore what is behind the spike, and Andra Rush talks about how the prices are affecting her trucking business.

Gas Prices Put The Brakes On Economic Recovery?

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Warm Winter Is Helping Consumers Cope

A woman takes in the sunshine while reading in Central Park on Feb. 1 in New York City, where temperatures topped 60 degrees. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Warm Winter Is Helping Consumers Cope

In much of the country, February brought purple crocuses and yellow daffodils instead of snowdrifts. Milder temperatures, along with an extended payroll tax break, mean more green in your wallet — helping ease the crush of higher gasoline prices.

Wednesday

New Consumer Agency Eyes Bank Overdraft Fees

Customers use Bank of America ATMs in New York. The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it is looking into ways to help consumers limit their exposure to banks' overdraft fees. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

Business

New Consumer Agency Eyes Bank Overdraft Fees

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that last year, banks made $15 billion to $22 billion from the overdrawn-account fees they charge customers. The agency is seeking data from banks so it can help customers avoid such charges. But any changes could lead banks to raise other fees.

New Consumer Agency Eyes Bank Overdraft Fees

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Tuesday

A Family's Year Of Buying Black

Many consumers try shopping consciously by going to local stores or ones owned by certain faith or ethnic groups. Maggie Anderson and her family spent a year trying to shop exclusively at African American-owned businesses. They chronicled their efforts in the new book titled Our Black Year. Maggie Anderson talks with host Michel Martin.

A Family's Year Of Buying Black

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Friday

Week Of Sweet, Sour Economy For Ordinary Americans

The labor market is improving, but Friday's consumer price index news shows that workers' paychecks are not keeping up with limited inflation. Hundreds of people visited NPR's Facebook page to comment on whether things are really getting better. Host Michel Martin and NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax sift through the stats and comments.

Week Of Sweet, Sour Economy For Ordinary Americans

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Does The Strengthening Economy Still Need Congress?

Employment has been rising in recent months, but most economists say Congress should keep trying to boost consumer spending. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

Economy

Does The Strengthening Economy Still Need Congress?

Lawmakers approved legislation to continue a payroll tax holiday and extend benefits for the long-term unemployed. The goal is to make sure enough people have enough spending money to keep the still-fragile economy growing. But some analysts say the economy doesn't need more help.

Business

Watchdog Targets Debt Collectors, Credit Bureaus

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to expand its scope to include oversight over the credit bureaus and debt collectors. This would give the federal government an unprecedented view into increasingly powerful industries.

Watchdog Targets Debt Collectors, Credit Bureaus

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Wednesday

Obama Seeks To Change Change; Shift Looms For Pennies And Nickels

New U.S. nickels are seen in this file photograph. Thanks to rising costs of nickel and copper, each five-cent piece now costs 11.2 cents to produce, says the Treasury. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Obama Seeks To Change Change; Shift Looms For Pennies And Nickels

The Obama administration looks to give the Treasury more leeway in minting coins that have gotten more expensive than their face value — specifically, pennies (2.4 cents) and nickels (11.2 cents).

Auto Dependability Hits 22-Year High In New Study

For the second year in a row, the Ford Fusion won J.D. Power's dependability prize in the mid-size sedan category. Pictured is the 2013 model of the car, unveiled in January. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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The Two-Way

Auto Dependability Hits 22-Year High In New Study

Toyota and Ford won the most awards in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which came out today. Vehicles made by Toyota led the way with eight awards, while Ford models received three. In general, vehicle dependability was the best since 1990, J.D. Power says.

Tuesday

In France, Drivers Face Gas Prices Of $8 A Gallon

Gas prices in France have topped more than $8 a gallon in some areas. In this photo from January, a woman rides her bike past a gas station in Paris. Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In France, Drivers Face Gas Prices Of $8 A Gallon

Prices for gasoline are hitting record highs in France, where a gallon now costs more than $8 in some areas. Here in the U.S., analysts are predicting high gas prices for American drivers this summer — more than $4 in many areas, from a current average of $3.52.

Can Congress Ever Restore Payroll Taxes To Their Usual Levels?

House Republicans, including Speaker John Boehner (right) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (left), said Monday they would vote to extend the payroll tax cut. Zhang Jun/Xinhua /Landov hide caption

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Zhang Jun/Xinhua /Landov

It's All Politics

Can Congress Ever Restore Payroll Taxes To Their Usual Levels?

What was once considered a normal rate will now be considered a tax hike. Reverting to the status quo is now politically dicey. That could affect Social Security's financing over the long haul.

Monday

Treasury Eases Money Transfer From 401K To Annuity

The Treasury Department recently proposed new regulations to make it easier to transfer money from 401Ks into an annuity. Robert Siegel talks with Andrea Coombes, personal finance editor for MarketWatch, about annuities and who they're right for.

Treasury Eases Money Transfer From 401K To Annuity

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Friday

Deal With Banks Isn't Only Way For Homeowners To Get Help, HUD Chief Says

For sale signs on a foreclosed house in Glendale, Calif., last September. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Deal With Banks Isn't Only Way For Homeowners To Get Help, HUD Chief Says

There's been some skepticism about how much help the $25 billion package will give hard-hit homeowners. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan says there are other remedies for those who were devastated.

Michel Martin talks with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan

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