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Friday

Auto Industry In Turmoil

'Cash For Clunkers' Lacks Cash For Clunkers

The White House says it's reviewing options for keeping the "cash for clunkers" program going. Auto dealers already may have surpassed the 250,000 vehicle sales funded by the $950 million program. The White House says any valid deals already made will be honored.

'Cash For Clunkers' Lacks Cash For Clunkers

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Wednesday

Business

What's Great And What's Not About Telecommuting

A recent survey suggests that around 17 million Americans work from home or another remote location at least one day every month. Many telecommuters cheer their escape from drive time and office politics. But they also worry that bosses consider the move a career killer.

What's Great And What's Not About Telecommuting

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Financial Sustainability Affected By Your Neighborhood?

According to the latest Pew Charitable Trust study, the sustainability of middle class African-Americans is profoundly influenced by the neighborhoods in which they choose to live. The study found that those living in good communities were far less likely to slide into a poorer socioeconomic status. New York University sociologist Patrick Sharkey, author of the study, explains the correlation.

Financial Sustainability Affected By Your Neighborhood?

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Tuesday

Tracking The Overhaul

Transitional Care Cuts Hospital Re-Entry Rates, Costs

A study published earlier this year finds that 1 out of 5 older patients who are discharged from a hospital will return within a month, costing Medicare about $17 billion a year. A program in Philadelphia assigns nurses to follow up with discharged patients in order to prevent readmission.

Transitional Care Cuts Hospital Re-Entry Rates, Costs

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Monday

Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Bernanke: 'I Had To Hold My Nose' To Bail Out Banks

KCUR

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last year's taxpayer-financed bailout of big financial companies was necessary to avoid "a second Great Depression." His comments came during a town hall-style meeting designed to reassure Americans about the economy.

Bernanke: 'I Had To Hold My Nose' To Bail Out Banks

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Sunday

From Our Listeners

Your Gains, Losses In Minimum Wage Hike

The question of whether the new hourly minimum will help or hurt the economy triggered quite a debate on our Web site and our blog over the past week. So, NPR senior business editor Marilyn Geewax returns to discuss what you had to say with host Liane Hansen.

Your Gains, Losses In Minimum Wage Hike

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Friday

Auto Industry In Turmoil

Dealerships Give 'Cash For Clunkers' A Jump-Start

The final details of the government program that encourages people to trade in older, gas-guzzling cars for more fuel-efficient ones will be released Friday. But car dealers have been using the program to sell cars for weeks.

Dealerships Give 'Cash For Clunkers' A Jump-Start

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Opinion

From Our Listeners

Gates' Arrest Stirs Blogosphere

Host Michel Martin and digital media producer Lee Hill talk about the stories that had TMM listeners commenting this week. Today, the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Gates, racial profiling and the minimum wage increase.

Gates' Arrest Stirs Blogosphere

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Economy

For Some Pilots, Home Is An LAX Parking Lot

Commercial airline pilots have created a city of trailers and RVs in a parking lot along the edges of the nation's third busiest airport. Living there allows them to avoid lofty L.A. rent at a time when pilots' high-flying salaries have sunk to new lows.

For Some Pilots, Home Is An LAX Parking Lot

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Planet Money

$1 Trillion: What Does It Look Like?

The budget deficit and the financial bailout each are expected to be in the trillion-dollar range. Linda Wertheimer talks to Planet Money's David Kestenbaum about understanding just how much a trillion dollars really is.

$1 Trillion: What Does It Look Like?

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Wednesday

Economy

For Half Of Virginia Rest Areas, It's No Go

The state joins Maine, Colorado and Vermont in closing down rest areas. Lawmakers say the roadside rest stops are less necessary than they once were. Many truckers and travelers disagree.

For Half Of Virginia Rest Areas, It's No Go

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Tuesday

End-of-Life Planning Complex For Same-Sex Parents

As a follow-up to a recent Tell Me More conversation focused on ways parents can plan ahead for their children in the event of a tragedy, the program explores the unique sensitivities faced by same-sex couples. Money coach Alvin Hall and attorney Shauntese Curry Trye, a specialist in family law, spell out the complexities and offer tips for getting around them.

End-of-Life Planning Complex For Same-Sex Parents

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Monday

All Tech Considered

Companies Count On Growth Of Mobile Banking

Outside of the U.S., millions of people use their cell phones to make financial transactions. That concept hasn't caught on here in the U.S. But big companies like MasterCard want to change that, specifically when it comes to mobile payments.

Companies Count On Growth Of Mobile Banking

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Economy

Workforce Gets A Raise; Not Everyone Is Happy

Millions of Americans will see a pay increase Friday when the national minimum wage jumps to $7.25 per hour. Critics say now is exactly the wrong time to increase employer costs. Finance expert Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University, David Ferreira of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and small businesswoman Renee Amoore discuss whether the increase helps more than it hurts.

Workforce Gets A Raise; Not Everyone Is Happy

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Planet Money

How Companies Decide What To Pay Their Workers

Determining salaries in many cases is much more of an art than a science. Performance bonuses, salary ranges and wage increases can be difficult territory for both employers and employees.

How Companies Decide What To Pay Their Workers

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