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Why Do I Have To Wait Until Age 59 To Get My Money?

Our personal finance contributor offers tips on how to deal with weird banking rules, how to go to college for free and what books you need to read.

Coping With Economic Worst-Case Scenario

With grim economic news coming out almost daily, <em>Morning Edition</em> wondered if Americans are making contingency plans. Some people in Los Angeles explain how they would cope if they lost their job or if there were another Great Depression.

Locked-In Rate Has Heating Oil Customers Steamed

The recession is driving down energy prices, making it cheaper for people to heat their homes. In the Northeast, home heating oil could cost considerably less this winter than last year. That is, except for people who locked in at a higher price last summer. Curt Nickisch of member station WBUR reports.

Jobless Ask: Take First Offer Or Wait For Better?

Unemployed workers face a tough decision: Should they settle for a lower salary, and get work now, or hold out for a job commensurate with their skills? Employment counselors say some folks are still too proud to take a pay cut, but as weeks drag into months, they may have to settle for less.

Economists Duke It Out Over Stimulus Plan

Economists often disagree about ways to solve economic problems. Two economists duke it out in a boxing match of words. In one corner, a supporter of the incoming Obama administration's stimulus plan who says government spending is essential to create jobs. In the other corner, an economist who believes taxpayers &mdash; not the federal government &mdash; should decide where to spend a trillion dollars of the nation's economy.

Economy Is Not Off Life-Support Yet

Over the past year, the government has sent $100 billion in stimulus checks to taxpayers and bailed out Wall Street, banks and automakers. However, the economy still hasn't turned around. David Wessel, economics editor of <em>The Wall Street Journal,</em> talks with Steve Inskeep about why the economy isn't getting stronger.

GMAC Made Risky Subprime Mortgage Loans

GMAC is the most recent beneficiary of a government bailout. As the financing arm of General Motors, it supplies funding for auto dealers to buy inventory and credit for consumers to buy cars. It is also a major player in the home mortgage market.

Making Quality New Year's Resolutions

Try not spending money on anything extra for a month and you'll rack up savings, says our personal finance contributor. She advises people to keep a cash reserve and remember that every day is a new day to get your finances together.

Experts Give Warning Signs Of Shady Investors

Powerhouse investor Bernard Madoff allegedly swindled clients to the tune of billions of dollars. As the case unfolds, many wonder how Madoff was able to garner such an elite reputation of trust in the financial world. Money coach Alvin hall and personal finance expert Louis Barajas offer tips on how to avoid scams and discuss potential pitfalls of investing.

Banks Got Bailout; Are They Making More Loans?

Most of the billions in bailout money that the government has handed out so far has gone to the nation's banks. The idea was that with more money on their balance sheets, banks would make more loans and that would help jump-start the economy. But it hasn't quite worked out that way.

Movie Price Increases Mask Drop In Attendance

Movie ticket sales appear to have held their own. But dig deeper and sales are off about 5 percent. Ticket prices increased this year, which gives the initial appearance that attendance has stayed the same.

Use Stock Losses To Your Tax Advantage

Stocks plummeted in 2008, but there is still a silver lining for investors in this dark situation. William Baldwin, the editor of <em>Forbes</em> magazine, shares some year-end tax tips with Renee Montagne.

Post-Holiday Sales Won't Fix Spending Doldrums

Retailers offered deep discounts over the weekend, trying to make up for the lackluster holiday shopping season. A spokesman for the National Retail Federation says the weekend after Christmas is becoming just as critical for the industry as Black Friday. That's the traditional start of the holiday shopping season on the day after Thanksgiving.

Will Low Mortgage Rates Make A Difference?

On Dec. 16, the Fed dropped its benchmark interest rate to almost zero. What does the resulting dip in mortgage rates mean for individual consumers and the economy as a whole?

Retailers Struggle To The Finish

Retailers are hoping to salvage a dismal fourth quarter by turning these final days of 2009 into a shopping marathon. Most retailers are trying to catch your eye the old-fashioned, low-tech way: with discounts.