When People Make Their Own Banks
An ex-con lends money to people in need; a group of friends creates a savings club. Even without banks, people often figure out how to get the money they need, when they need it.
Economy
Housing Market Watchers Edgy As Mortgage Rates Keep Climbing
The Federal Reserve's economic stimulus has helped keep mortgage rates at record lows in the years since the Great Recession. But rates are ticking upward, leaving some investors worried that the nascent housing recovery will suffer if the Fed unravels its policies too quickly.
Detroit's Emergency Manager Meets With Creditors
Kevyn Orr will ask unions, retirees and banks to take big losses on debt the city just can't afford to pay. But Orr is walking a fine line trying to convince those parties to accept a bankruptcy-style settlement, without actually going to bankruptcy court — at least, not yet.
Unpaid No More: Interns Win Major Court Battle
A federal ruling against a major movie studio's use of unpaid interns could have a wide impact on uncompensated labor, including internships for college credit. Workers' advocates say many interns are preventing workers who can't afford to work free from entering the labor force.
Immigration Bill May Keep Wage Exemption For Foreign Herders
Peruvian shepherds on guest worker visas tend thousands of sheep in Wyoming, but they only make about half of what agricultural workers elsewhere are paid. Some ranchers say the exemption from minimum wage requirements is necessary; workers' rights advocates say it's exploitation.
Technology Columnist Sheds Light On New Bulbs
Buying a light bulb isn't as simple as it used to be. Now, you can choose a light bulb that will save you money because it uses less power. And, you can pick a bulb that might last longer than you do. Linda Wertheimer talks to Rich Jaroslovsky, technology columnist for Bloomberg News, about the latest light bulb technology.
Post Recession, Architects Return To The Drawing Board
While some jobs are coming back in this economy, the market for many architects remains tough. There were nearly 220,000 people working in the field in 2008. Today, more than 25 percent of those jobs are gone.
How To Clean Up Fish Farms And Raise More Seafood At The Same Time
Coastal fish farms are a major source of the seafood we eat, but all the fish waste they generate takes a toll on the environment. So a researcher in Canada is trying to clean up fish farms by creating an ecosystem where fish waste gets taken up by other valuable seafood commodities, like shellfish and kelp.
Beware of Credit Card Checkout Fees
Credit cards can be a safety net in emergency situations, give rewards for using them and help build credit. But if you pay with plastic for your purchase, you may want to pay attention. That's because swiping your credit card at the checkout counter could result in a new surcharge.