Your Money http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1018&ft=1&f=1018 NPR coverage of personal finance, money, investing, taxes, retirement, mortgages and housing markets, wealth management, and stock market news. Download NPR podcasts and RSS feeds. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 22 May 2013 03:01:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Your Money http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1018&ft=1&f=1018 Instead Of Snoozing In Savings, Let's Put $5,000 To Work It's a hard time to be a saver. The return on a savings account doesn't even keep up with inflation, and that's led many savers to ask: What should I do with my money? NPR's Uri Berliner takes $5,000 out of his own personal savings and explores various investment opportunities. Wed, 22 May 2013 03:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/184201335/instead-of-snoozing-in-savings-let-s-put-5-000-to-work?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/184201335/instead-of-snoozing-in-savings-let-s-put-5-000-to-work?ft=1&f=1018 It's a hard time to be a saver. The return on a savings account doesn't even keep up with inflation, and that's led many savers to ask: What should I do with my money? NPR's Uri Berliner takes $5,000 out of his own personal savings and explores various investment opportunities.

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]]> A Catch For Insurers That Cut Deductibles For Healthy People Rewards to policyholders for claims that don't meet the annual deductible can be a boon for healthy people. But the approach might not pass the smell test in 2014 when the federal health law bans discriminating against people based on their health status. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/21/185823609/a-catch-for-insurers-that-cut-deductibles-for-healthy-people?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/21/185823609/a-catch-for-insurers-that-cut-deductibles-for-healthy-people?ft=1&f=1018 Rewards to policyholders for claims that don't meet the annual deductible can be a boon for healthy people. But the approach might not pass the smell test in 2014 when the federal health law bans discriminating against people based on their health status.

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]]> Market At Record Highs, Why Is Investment At Record Lows? The stock market is hitting record highs. But stock ownership is at record lows, according to a Gallup poll. Host Michel Martin speaks with Roben Farzad of Bloomberg Businessweek about how low participation rates could hurt struggling Americans. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185788201/market-at-record-highs-why-is-investment-at-record-lows?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185788201/market-at-record-highs-why-is-investment-at-record-lows?ft=1&f=1018 The stock market is hitting record highs. But stock ownership is at record lows, according to a Gallup poll. Host Michel Martin speaks with Roben Farzad of Bloomberg Businessweek about how low participation rates could hurt struggling Americans.

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]]> Managing The $30 Million 'One Fund' To Aid Boston Victims Days after the marathon bombing, officials established the One Fund for Boston to assist victims and their families. Attorney Ken Feinberg, who managed similar funds after Sept. 11 and Virginia Tech and is managing this fund, says there's no easy way to decide who gets how much of the $30 million that's been donated. Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184524656&ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184524656&ft=1&f=1018 Days after the marathon bombing, officials established the One Fund for Boston to assist victims and their families. Attorney Ken Feinberg, who managed similar funds after Sept. 11 and Virginia Tech and is managing this fund, says there's no easy way to decide who gets how much of the $30 million that's been donated.

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]]> The Tricky Business Of Retirement: Hidden 401(K) Fees You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently. Thu, 16 May 2013 14:04:10 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184221956/the-tricky-business-of-retirement-hidden-401-k-fees?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184221956/the-tricky-business-of-retirement-hidden-401-k-fees?ft=1&f=1018 You could end up with a lot less savings at 65 than you ever anticipated because of fees charged by the financial institutions managing your retirement accounts. Robert Hiltonsmith, who researches retirement security, says those fees were disclosed to 401(k) plan participants until only recently.

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]]> Stay-At-Home Dads, Breadwinner Moms And Making It All Work For decades, the role of breadwinner was reserved for men, but today, more than a quarter of American working women earn more than their spouses. That means more fathers are opting to stay home with the kids. Wed, 15 May 2013 05:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/180300236/stay-at-home-dads-breadwinner-moms-and-making-it-all-work?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/180300236/stay-at-home-dads-breadwinner-moms-and-making-it-all-work?ft=1&f=1018 For decades, the role of breadwinner was reserved for men, but today, more than a quarter of American working women earn more than their spouses. That means more fathers are opting to stay home with the kids.

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]]> Whatever Happened To The Economy? Jobs and the economy dominated political discussion during the election year, but have since been forgotten. Even before the current outbreak of scandals, it was clear Washington preferred to talk about other issues. Tue, 14 May 2013 12:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183888375/what-ever-happened-to-the-economy?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183888375/what-ever-happened-to-the-economy?ft=1&f=1018 Jobs and the economy dominated political discussion during the election year, but have since been forgotten. Even before the current outbreak of scandals, it was clear Washington preferred to talk about other issues.

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]]> Why Should We Care About The Stock Market? The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently shot beyond 15,000 points for the first time ever. But to ordinary Americans, it might not seem relevant — given unemployment rates and stagnant wages. Host Michel Martin speaks with personal finance guru Alvin Hall about why the stock market matters. Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183924817/why-should-we-care-about-the-stock-market?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183924817/why-should-we-care-about-the-stock-market?ft=1&f=1018 The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently shot beyond 15,000 points for the first time ever. But to ordinary Americans, it might not seem relevant — given unemployment rates and stagnant wages. Host Michel Martin speaks with personal finance guru Alvin Hall about why the stock market matters.

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]]> Is The Housing Recovery Just A Mirage? Experts say the housing market is recovering, but the percentage of Americans who own homes is lower than it was a decade ago. Host Michel Martin speaks to Time's Rana Foroohar who looks at this and other paradoxes in the housing market, and asks if the recovery is really just a mirage. Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183628281&ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183628281&ft=1&f=1018 Experts say the housing market is recovering, but the percentage of Americans who own homes is lower than it was a decade ago. Host Michel Martin speaks to Time's Rana Foroohar who looks at this and other paradoxes in the housing market, and asks if the recovery is really just a mirage.

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]]> Comp Time Or Cold Cash. Which Would You Pick? Private employers must pay time and a half to workers who put in more than 40 hours a week. But some workers want comp time for extra hours. The House voted to allow workers to save up their comp time, but critics fear that employers would use the measure to abuse overtime rules. Mon, 13 May 2013 11:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182910609/comp-time-or-cold-cash-which-would-you-pick?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182910609/comp-time-or-cold-cash-which-would-you-pick?ft=1&f=1018 Private employers must pay time and a half to workers who put in more than 40 hours a week. But some workers want comp time for extra hours. The House voted to allow workers to save up their comp time, but critics fear that employers would use the measure to abuse overtime rules.

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]]> U.S. Gas Prices Expected To Remain Low For Summer Drivers will find this summer's gas prices are lower than last year's, the result of a spike in crude oil production. Government forecasters say a gallon of regular gasoline will cost about $3.50 this summer — a slide of more than 10 cents from last year. Sun, 12 May 2013 09:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/12/183346907/u-s-gas-prices-expected-to-remain-low-for-summer?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/12/183346907/u-s-gas-prices-expected-to-remain-low-for-summer?ft=1&f=1018 Drivers will find this summer's gas prices are lower than last year's, the result of a spike in crude oil production. Government forecasters say a gallon of regular gasoline will cost about $3.50 this summer — a slide of more than 10 cents from last year.

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]]> Experts Marvel At How Cyberthieves Stole $45 Million The thieves hacked back-end computers and cloned prepaid debit cards, but their synchronized ATM withdrawals were even more extraordinary. Sat, 11 May 2013 11:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/11/182978071/experts-marvel-at-how-cyber-thieves-stole-45-million?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/11/182978071/experts-marvel-at-how-cyber-thieves-stole-45-million?ft=1&f=1018 The thieves hacked back-end computers and cloned prepaid debit cards, but their synchronized ATM withdrawals were even more extraordinary.

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]]> Peers Find Less Pressure Borrowing From Each Other The Internet has managed to disrupt many industries, from publishing to music. So why not lending? Google's recent investment in Lending Club has raised the profile of peer-to-peer lending, which gets borrowers and lenders together outside the conventional banking system. Fri, 10 May 2013 03:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/10/182651552/peers-find-less-pressure-borrowing-from-each-other?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/10/182651552/peers-find-less-pressure-borrowing-from-each-other?ft=1&f=1018 The Internet has managed to disrupt many industries, from publishing to music. So why not lending? Google's recent investment in Lending Club has raised the profile of peer-to-peer lending, which gets borrowers and lenders together outside the conventional banking system.

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]]> Smaller Airports Take Bigger Hit As Airlines Cut Flights Airlines are flying fewer planes to small and midsize markets, part of a push to move more people through regional hubs, according to an MIT study. As the economy tumbled into recession, airlines shut down money-losing routes and moved to fill seats on remaining flights. Wed, 08 May 2013 14:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/08/182262805/smaller-airports-take-bigger-hit-as-airlines-cut-flights?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/08/182262805/smaller-airports-take-bigger-hit-as-airlines-cut-flights?ft=1&f=1018 Airlines are flying fewer planes to small and midsize markets, part of a push to move more people through regional hubs, according to an MIT study. As the economy tumbled into recession, airlines shut down money-losing routes and moved to fill seats on remaining flights.

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]]> Hospital Prices, Revealed! (Sort Of) Hospital prices just got a lot more transparent. But if you have private insurance, the new information won't help you. Wed, 08 May 2013 13:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/05/08/182262678/hospital-prices-revealed-sort-of?ft=1&f=1018 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/05/08/182262678/hospital-prices-revealed-sort-of?ft=1&f=1018 Hospital prices just got a lot more transparent. But if you have private insurance, the new information won't help you.

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