Penny, the new 'Mac' on the block

A new private sector effort to fix the housing crisis appeared this week as former Countrywide execs announced PennyMac. Ashley Milne-Tyte explains the plan.

Recessions and depressions 101
What exactly is a recession and what does it take to turn one into a depression? Tess asks Marketplace commentator Robert Reich for some definitions.

Finding real estate answers online
Real estate Web sites were already popular for browsing prices, but as Stacey Vanek Smith reports, people now use these sites to find housing crisis comfort from fellow surfers.

Consolidating student loans
If you're sitting on a mountain of student loans, doing nothing for a few months might actually be your best move. Tess gets the details from Anna Maria Andriotis.

Day in the Work Life: TV weatherman
On this week's a Day in the Work Life, we learn the joy of forecasting sunny skies almost every day as we follow Los Angeles TV weatherman Fritz Coleman.

The evolution of pawn shops
Looking for a little money to help you through a rough spot? It may be time for a trip to the pawn shop. We follow Jaime Bedrin on her quest to turn her jewelry box into cash.

Predictably irrational
We all make the occasional terrible money decision. Tess asks Dan Ariely why people are so irrational when it comes to their economic behavior.

Letters
Tess reads your letters. This month: Everest history, "pop economics," investment clubs, fees and commuting in the Middle East.

ALL MARKETPLACE MONEY STORIES

CONSUMER CONSEQUENCES
How many p***ts would it take to sustain humanity if everyone lived like you? Play our "Consumer Consequences" game and find out.