Welcome to "FINANCE MANAGEMENT". Your subscription is available today!

Morgage-Burning Parties Almost Extinct

When's the last time you went to a mortgage-burning party? Do people even pay off their 30-year mortgages anymore? NPR's Planet Money team went on a mission to find out.

For Sale: Your Michael Jackson Memorabilia

Since Michael Jackson died last week, his trading cards, old albums and autographs are selling for huge amounts of money. A letter Michael Jackson wrote to an unknown "Greg" sold for $20,000, and an album signed by all of the Jackson 5 sold for $27,000.

Risks, Benefits Of Securitization Under Scrutiny

As part of its plan to reform financial markets, the Obama administration will turn its focus to the securitization industry. These days, almost anytime someone borrows money, the debt gets repackaged into a security that can be bought or sold like a stock.

Q&A: Rising Unemployment Clouds Outlook

The increase in the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent doesn't bode well for a smooth transition to economic recovery. Economists said they expected to see job losses; however, the 467,000 job cuts in June exceeded the consensus of analysts' projections.

After Billy Mays' Death, A Salute To Pitch Men

Infomercials entice viewers to buy products that slice, dice and make life easier. Remy Stern, author of <em>But, Wait...There's More!</em> has studied the strategies of Billy Mays and his fellow pitch men. Tell us what you've bought from an infomercial, and what sold you on it.

More Care Means Better Health, But Not Always

A new study finds that when Medicare expanded its prescription drug coverage, people did spend more on drugs. However, those who had little to no drug coverage beforehand reduced what they spent on going to doctors and hospitals.

Young Adults Change Plans To Survive Recession

There's an entire generation of younger Americans who are trying to start out in the worst economic crisis of their lives. Many are being forced to change their plans and make tough choices, in order to survive the recession.

Vulture Consumers Gain From Others' Misfortune

In the current economic slump, many consumers are finding bargains by low-balling salesmen or snapping up foreclosed homes. Reporter Jennifer Saranow weighs the ethics of "vulture consumerism" &mdash; benefiting from another's misfortune.

King Of Pop Had A Mountain Of Debt

Michael Jackson may have had as much debt as he did fame. It's estimated the pop star's debts amount to close to half a billion dollars. Money Coach Alvin Hall offers insights how Jackson may have taken himself so deep into the red and what regular Americans can learn from the mistakes of the mega-rich.

Smart Phones Make Comparison Shopping A Snap

Bargain hunting has never been easier. Several smart phone applications allow users to type in a model or scan the bar code of a product, then search for a cheaper price online. That is forcing some bricks-and-mortar retailers to change the way they do business.

It Pays To Check Your Financial Statements

Investment advisor Matthew Weitzman has been charged with stealing $6 million from clients. One of his clients was Ron Lieber, who writes a personal finance column for <em>The New York Times</em>. Lieber tells David Greene it pays to read every word of financial statements. Lieber was not a victim of fraud.

A Painless Way To Hold Down Health Costs?

While opponents of the overhaul proposals currently under consideration warn of long waits for care or draconian cuts in payments to doctors and hospitals, some experts say slowing the growth of health spending doesn't have to hurt. "You can deliver high-quality care for far fewer resources if you organize your processes right," says one expert.

Consumers Opt For Debit Over Credit Cards

Americans are now spending more money with debit cards than with credit cards, but the fraud protections for the two types of cards aren't necessarily the same. Some consumer advocates say they should be.

Survey: Millions Forced To Rethink Retirement

A survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide shows that in the past year, 44 percent of workers age 50 or older have had to delay their retirement date. Three-quarters of those now planning to postpone retirement cite the loss of savings in their 401(k) accounts as the single biggest reason.

'The Pleasures And Sorrows Of Work'

For his book, <em>The Pleasures And Sorrows Of Work,</em> philosopher Alain De Botton observed everyday occupations. On one trip, he observed the development of a new cookie. Along the way, he looks at what makes our work worthwhile.