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Wives Increasingly Earning More Than Husbands

Men are increasingly likely to marry women who make more than they do, according to a new study on the changing economics of marriage. Columnist Amy Dickinson and clinical psychologist Joshua Coleman discuss what that role reversal means for some couples.

Understanding The Sweeping New Credit Card Rules

New rules for credit card companies take effect in February. Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains the new rules and what they mean — and don't mean — for consumers. Also, giving up extras for 21 days: can it help you spend smarter?

New Business Lets People Trade Gadgets For Cash

Richard Littlehale and Bob Casey launched the green tech company YouRenew.com last March in New Haven, Conn. The Web site lets people trade old gadgets for cash. Littlehale and Casey tell NPR's Robert Siegel about how and why they started their business in a growing field that includes Gazelle.com and Flipswap.com. "It's unbelievable how quickly people turn over devices," Casey says.

Despite Recall, Toyota Dealer Sees Loyalty Ahead

Mechanics at Expressway Toyota in Boston are preparing to work long hours to fix recalled gas pedals for about 10,000 customers. Even though Toyota has ordered dealers to stop selling any new cars that need the upgrade, this dealership remains optimistic about customer loyalty.

Making The Move To Community Banks

Fed up with your "too-big-to-fail" bank? Well, you can always downsize. That's the message of the "Move Your Money" campaign, which urges big-bank customers to switch to community banks. But what's it like to actually make the switch, and could this movement ever register as more than a blip on a big bank's radar? Host Guy Raz talks to one man who made the switch — Michael Parisi of Santa Cruz, Calif. And he gets two very different opinions on the idea from economist Simon Johnson and bank analyst Bert Ely.

Watchdog: Bailouts Created More Risk In System

The government's response to the financial meltdown has made it more likely the United States will face a deeper crisis in the future, an independent watchdog at the Treasury Department warned.

Cafeteria Credit Unions Teach Students Money Skills

The recession has revealed how clueless many Americans are when it comes to personal finance. Some credit unions and educators hope establishing in-school branches will help students develop saving habits and general fiscal responsibility.

For Toyota Drivers, Confusion And Growing Anger

Toyota executives have been virtually silent amid a recall of millions of their cars because gas pedals can become dangerously stuck. For their customers, oh, what a feeling — fear, frustration, confusion and anger.

Debt Collector: Tough Job But Someone's Got To Do It

As more people struggle to pay their credit card bills, one segment of the economy is booming: debt collection. It's not an easy task. Most people John Goebel calls are angry, some are apathetic, and a few break down in tears.

Can Bosses Do That? As It Turns Out, Yes They Can

Could you be fired for having a political bumper sticker on your car &mdash; or even having a beer after work? Lewis Maltby says it's more than possible &mdash; it's happened. His new book, <em>Can They Do That?</em> details the predicaments many workers find themselves in.

The Cost Of Housing Inmates Who Can't Make Bail

Thousands of inmates are sitting in America's jails because they can't make bail, which sometimes is set at as little as $50. Housing them while they await trial is estimated to cost taxpayers $9 billion this year alone. NPR's Crime and Punishment Correspondent, Laura Sullivan, joins <em>Talk of the Nation</em> to discuss the business of bail bonds.

Homeowner Wants To Walk, Despite New Loan Terms

Thad Salter's home is now worth less than half of its 2006 purchase price of $300,000. Even after his bank modified his mortgage, Salter wondered whether it would be better to walk away from the loan. At least one law professor says he should do just that.

Obama Faces Political Minefield Over Deficit

President Obama is likely to outline a plan in his State of the Union address for fiscal responsibility. But don't look for immediate action to cut the deficit. Recent polls show that voters who are concerned about the deficit are also alarmed about unemployment.

HUD Makes Good Faith Estimates Believable

The document used to be a tool lenders would give to borrowers early in the homebuying process so they'd know how much house they could afford. But as of this month, it's now a legally binding agreement.

Hard Times Lead To Dramatic Rise In Bankruptcies

Personal bankruptcies rose more than 30 percent in 2009, with more than 1.4 million protection filings. Even though so many people are in dire financial straits, having to declare bankruptcy comes as an embarrassing shock.