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Friday

Economy

Was Homebuyer's Tax Credits Worth It?

WBUR

By the time homebuyer tax credits expire at midnight Friday, the government will have given up more than $35 billion. The tax credits were part of the stimulus package, and Congress extended the incentives as the recession wore on. Some economists say most of the subsidized home sales would have happened anyway, but others say the cost was worth it to help stabilize the housing market.

Was Homebuyer's Tax Credits Worth It?

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Wednesday

Economy

Unemployment Pushes Workers Into Early Retirement

A 20 percent increase in retirement applications last year was something of a surprise to the Social Security Administration. Many older Americans needed to tap into their retirement benefits after losing their jobs during the recession.

Unemployment Pushes Workers Into Early Retirement

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Tuesday

Dodging Social Pressures, Renters Enjoy Flexibility

Prashant Jeloka and Meenal Bagla in their Boston apartment. They say they are happier with the freedom and flexibility of renting. Jess Bidgood/WBUR hide caption

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Jess Bidgood/WBUR

Economy

Dodging Social Pressures, Renters Enjoy Flexibility

WBUR

The housing bust has more people reconsidering the merits of renting. Despite the effects of the recession, some people deliberately choose not to buy a home. They say renting gives them greater flexibility in their lives.

Dodging Social Pressures, Renters Enjoy Flexibility

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Economy

'Great Reset' Argues Against 'House Passion'

Urban thinker Richard Florida agrees that owning a home is not always better than renting. In his new book The Great Reset, Florida quotes an economist who believes "America needs to get over its house passion." Florida talks to Steve Inskeep about new ways to live and work post-recession.

'Great Reset' Argues Against 'House Passion'

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Monday

Check It Out: Get Your Groceries At The Library

Empty Shelves? Under a new program in Baltimore, patrons can buy groceries online, and pick them up at one of two libraries in the city. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

All Tech Considered

Check It Out: Get Your Groceries At The Library

Baltimore's health department launched the Virtual Supermarket Project last month as part of a push to make healthy food more accessible where supermarkets are scarce. Under the program, patrons order groceries online, wait for the orders to be filled by longtime Baltimore grocer Santoni's and pick them up at one of two library branches.

Check It Out: Get Your Groceries At The Library

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Sunday

Business

GM's Payback A Start, But An End Still Far Off

The news that General Motors repaid some of its loan last week was hailed by the White House and others. But the picture is not that rosy. Guest host Jacki Lyden talks with Micheline Maynard, senior business correspondent for The New York Times.

GM's Payback A Start, But An End Still Far Off

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Saturday

Technology

Ben Franklin Goes Hi-Tech On The New $100 Bill

The United States Treasury unveiled a new $100 bill this week. Benjamin Franklin stays, but Treasury engravers have put so many other high-tech features onto the currency, you might call it the iBill.

Ben Franklin Goes Hi-Tech On The New $100 Bill

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Politics

Bipartisanship Aside, Financial Bill Faces Decision

It's showdown time Monday on the financial regulations bill. After a week of back-and-forth, Republicans will have to decide whether to go along with a bill that creates a new consumer protection bureau, regulates derivatives and puts in place a system for winding down banks considered "too big to fail."

Bipartisanship Aside, Financial Bill Faces Decision

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Friday

Health

New Health Law Brings Better Coverage For Women

A 2009 survey found that insurance companies charged women up to 84 percent more than men for the same health insurance policy. The new health law is set to improve women's access to health care and even up the cost of health insurance.

New Health Law Brings Better Coverage For Women

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Economy

Tax Credits Sweeten Many Homebuyers' Deal

IPR News & Studio One

The National Association of Realtors reported an increase in existing home sales in March, another indication that buyers are rushing to take advantage of federal tax credits before they expire next week. But it's unclear how long that boost will last.

Tax Credits Sweeten Many Homebuyers' Deal

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Thursday

Planet Money

Bribery In India: A Good Thing?

In many countries, if you want to get things done, a small envelope of cash can speed you on your way. You want that business license, without the hassles? No problem — for a price. NPR's David Kestenbaum, from our Planet Money team, was in India, where low-level bribes are common. He reports that economists say sometimes, bribes can actually be a good thing.

Bribery In India: A Good Thing?

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Wednesday

Politics

Mixed Picture One Year After Serve America Act

A year ago, President Obama signed the Serve America Act, which creates volunteer opportunities and triples the size of the AmeriCorps national service program. But the money is just starting to trickle out.

Mixed Picture One Year After Serve America Act

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Tuesday

There May Be A Tax Upside To Dying In 2010
iStockphoto.com

There May Be A Tax Upside To Dying In 2010

It's a quirky tax year for heirs. The Bush administration phased out federal estate taxes over 10 years. This happens to be the first — and only — year they don't exist. After 2010, if Congress does not act, federal estate taxes go back to 55 percent on estates that exceed $1 million.

There May Be A Tax Upside To Dying In 2010

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Cash For Appliances Program Takes Off

Think of it as a knock-off of the Cash for Clunkers program. The federal government is giving rebates to Americans who buy energy-efficient appliances. Each state got to design its own program, and some states still have lots of rebates left. But in a few other states, the program was so popular, all the rebates were claimed in less than a day.

Cash For Appliances Program Takes Off

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