Marketplace Money

Debt. Don't let it ruin your life. Even if you feel like you're swimming in student loans or can't get ahead of what you owe to credit card companies, we've got some advice on what to do when you've got a mountain of debt.  One tip: as much as you'd like to, don't hang up when a bill collector calls.  And don't take your personal relationships for granted when money enters the mix. Debt doesn't have to destroy your ties with friends or family. Plus, a special report on why struggling military families opt to do business with risky payday lenders over low-interest government loans.

Do you ever look at your bank statement at the end of the month and wonder where your money went? From morning lattes, to lottery tickets and lunch dates, we'll talk about how your money trickles away on little things as well as big ticket items, like medical procedures. We'll share tips for how to save at the hospital and at college, and offer some advice on how to stop up other spending leaks. Plus, it's Mother's Day weekend. Comedian Paula Poundstone joins us to discuss why she doesn't want any gifts. And if you still need to get a gift -- eek! --we have some ideas for how to shop on a budget.

Does paying for getaways get you down? We welcome the challenge of finding the best summer travel deals and we're passing on some expert advice to you. Even if you're working in a trip around your kids' school calendars, aren't sure what kind of cash to carry abroad and live nowhere near a hub city, we have helpful tips for taking a vacation on the cheap. Plus, if it's lodging that's eating up your travel expenses, check out some of our suggestions for scoring a comfortable place to stay that won't part you from all your cash. All that and an update on the latest unemployment numbers and helping "housewives" qualify for credit cards.

'Fess up: You've been the victim of a scam. Whether it's losing money to someone with a sob story on the street, answering bogus emails, or getting swindled into donating to a fake charity -- scams are all around us. We're here to help you recognize when you're dealing with a con artist and help you steer clear of swindlers. Plus, remember the sequester? We prefer not to as well. But, sequester-related furloughs are happening -- and leaving unpleasant effects on people's personal finances in its wake.

How can you help victims of the Boston bombings? We have tips on choosing charities. Plus, it's time for some spring cleaning. We're not asking you to go through your piles of old clothes or do the windows. We're looking at how to clean out your financial portfolio and tidy up your budgets. And it's time to reassess where your cash is going and straighten up the money issues we have with people in our lives -- like exes, siblings, children and more.  Finally, what you're really getting for your money when you buy products 'Made in the U.S.A.'