Columnist | Your Money

Chris Farrell is economics editor for American Public Media's weekly "Marketplace Money" show and author of "The New Frugality." He answers reader questions on most Sundays. Send questions to cfarrell@mpr.org and put "Your Money" in the subject line.


Biden's new income-driven repayment plan could be boon for those with student loans

SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) changes the definition of discretionary income to increase the number of low-income borrowers eligible for $0 payments and subsidizes any unpaid interest that remains after a borrower makes a payment.


These three simple reminders can help you avoid a scam

The Federal Trade Commission said people lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, up from $3.5 billion in 2020.


Chris Farrell: Ageism shouldn't prevent retirement-age people from working

Whether and how to earn an income is critical to retirement planning, and for employers, older workers are a valuable asset to keep and to hire.


Farrell: Having traditional and Roth savings gives you tax-savvy options in retirement

If your income will be lower in retirement than when you were working, you'd favor traditional retirement savings. Roth is better for the reverse. Since you don't know, the advantage of having both is flexibility.


Chris Farrell: Be skeptical of new retirement-saving strategies

Many experts have published different ways to save through the years, but none seems to beat standard advice.


Chris Farrell: Warren Buffet's annual wisdom-sharing full of personal finance advice

Berkshire Hathaway is the seventh-largest U.S. company with a market capitalization of nearly $900 billion, but lessons from its founder are still relatable.


Chris Farrell: Productivity growth has led to our economic growth

Productivity growth is a key measure of economic prosperity, job creation, innovation and quality of life for individuals and society.


Chris Farrell: America's retirement system is failing too many people

The lack of savings doesn't reflect the lure of shopping on credit or a lack of financial education. Instead, too many workers live on low and unstable incomes, while too many moderate-income families struggle to pay their bills.


Chris Farrell: Index funds can help you reach your retirement goals

The so-called "passive" investment revolution is a smart way for individuals to invest for the long haul despite critics' arguments.


Beware of Bitcoin investing

Cryptocurrencies are speculations without any intrinsic value.