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Tuesday

Conscientious Holiday Shopping

Advice On Making The Most Of That Charitable Dollar

Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, talks about his work to help potential donors find charities where the needy benefit most from their contributions. Borochoff is joined by Tell Me More personal finance guru Alvin Hall.

Advice On Making The Most Of That Charitable Dollar

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Friday

Economy

Family Tries To Dig Out From Upside-Down Mortgage

Milo and Lin White are more than $100,000 underwater on their Phoenix home. Milo was laid off last October, and to find work, he had to move to Salt Lake City without his family. The home in Phoenix is so worth so much less than its mortgage that it won't sell, so Milo commutes from Utah to Arizona most weekends. When he's gone, Lin struggles to keep the household afloat. But Milo and Lin refuse to walk away from the house.

Family Tries To Dig Out From Upside-Down Mortgage

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Walking Away From The House She Can Afford

Heather Baker is walking away from her four-bedroom home in a Washington, D.C., suburb. Tamara Keith/NPR hide caption

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Tamara Keith/NPR

Economy

Walking Away From The House She Can Afford

Many homeowners who are tens thousands of dollars underwater on their mortgages — meaning they owe more than the value of their homes — have decided it's just not worth it. Some, like Heather Baker, can even afford their payments, but they're walking away anyway.

Walking Away From The House She Can Afford

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Fed Rules Could End Instant Credit

The practice of getting instant credit and a discount at the cash register could disappear early next year if a proposed government rule goes into effect. Retailers say the new restrictions would make it all but impossible to grant credit on the spot. NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports.

Fed Rules Could End Instant Credit

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Prices, Tax Credit Prompt First-Time Homebuyers

Low prices, low interest rates and the $8,000 tax credit have all encouraged more first-time home purchases. A survey by the National Association of Realtors shows that 47 percent of those who bought a house last year were jumping into the market for the first time.

Prices, Tax Credit Prompt First-Time Homebuyers

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Thursday

No Batteries Required: Board Game Sales Soar

Industry insiders say sales of board games increased by more than 20 percent last year. Oli Scarff/Getty Images hide caption

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Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Humor & Fun

No Batteries Required: Board Game Sales Soar

WNKU-FM

While Xboxes, PlayStations and Wiis top holiday wish lists, sales of more traditional games are increasing. Industry insiders say board game sales were up by more than 20 percent last year, and they're expected to be even higher this year as people look for cheaper entertainment.

No Batteries Required: Board Game Sales Soar

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Wednesday

Business

Flying For The Holidays? Pack Light, Bring Cash

This holiday season, expect flights to be packed tightly. Industry watchers say travelers should be prepared to fight for carry-on baggage space and pay for food, pillows and other onboard amenities.

Flying For The Holidays? Pack Light, Bring Cash

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Tuesday

Job Retraining And Long-Term Unemployment

More than 15 million people are out of work in the U.S. Many of their jobs, in manufacturing, textiles and the auto industries, are gone forever. The workers left behind now face the grueling task of reinventing and reeducating themselves, in the hopes of finding new jobs.

Job Retraining And Long-Term Unemployment

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Saturday

Business

Sharp Insurance Spike To Hit Florida Businesses

These days, small businesses are getting a tax break from the federal government. But many states are preparing to impose big tax hikes by increasing unemployment insurance premiums. In Florida, business owners could see as much as a 1,200-percent increase.

Sharp Insurance Spike To Hit Florida Businesses

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Business

Retailers Press Manufacturers For Your Low Prices

Instead of "Ho, ho, ho," this year's holiday cry is "Cheap, cheap, cheap!" Retailers want low prices to keep customers shopping, so they're putting the squeeze on manufacturers. As the nation's biggest retailer, Walmart's got the muscles to put the pressure on.

Retailers Press Manufacturers For Your Low Prices

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Wednesday

Tuesday

Economy

Re-thinking American Dream Of Home Ownership

The economic crisis shattered that dream for many, and made many other would-be home buyers reconsider. Joseph Gyourko of the University of Pennsylvania's Real Estate Center and Wilhelmina Leigh of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies discuss home ownership.

Re-thinking American Dream Of Home Ownership

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Friday

Thursday

Secret Flier Programs: 'Skull And Bones' Of The Sky

Airlines have set a pretty low bar of service for most passengers — except for those lucky enough to be invited into the airlines' most exclusive frequent-flier programs. For those let in, there is almost nothing the airlines won't do to keep them happy. This includes instant upgrades, private reservation lines, escorts to help make tight connections, and not having to pay all those baggage and itinerary change fees.

Secret Flier Programs: 'Skull And Bones' Of The Sky

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Wednesday

Business

Bill Exempts Auto Dealers From Agency Oversight

Under the financial overhaul bill before the House, auto dealers would not be regulated by a proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Consumer advocates want to change that. They argue that the exemption means car buyers won't be protected against abusive auto loans originated by the dealers.

Bill Exempts Auto Dealers From Agency Oversight

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