Are we already in a recession?
Economists debate whether the economy may be headed for recession, but many readers believe we are already in one.  The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

Which businesses hold up well in a recession?
A reader wonders which businesses do well when the economy heads south.  The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

Why is the Fed so worried about inflation?
If the U.S. economy is slowing down, why is the Federal Reserve  still worried about inflation?   The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

How much will my rebate be?
What could be simpler than handing out tax rebates? Alas, with all things related to the U.S. tax code, the question of who gets what turns out to be not so simple.

Tax rebate riddles
As readers sit down to the annual brain-teaser of filing their income tax returns, this year offers a new enigma. Will I get one of these tax rebates from the government?

A hostile takeover playbook
If Microsoft has the cash to buy rival Yahoo, why can’t it just call up a stock broker and  buy  all of Yahoo's stock? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen.

Not a win for tax dodgers
Actor Wesley Snipes' recent acquittal on tax fraud charges is being taken as a victory by a band of tax "protesters." But, they are overlooking a key fact: Snipes still faces jail time.

How much will I get from the stimulus plan?
Now that the dust has settled on the government's plan to spend $100 billion on tax rebates, readers have  one question in mind: how much do I get?   The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

Questions we didn’t get to in 2007
We get all kinds of business and financial questions at the Answer Desk. Here are some we didn’t get to in 2007. The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com’s John W. Schoen.

Can I hedge the impact of the falling dollar?
Some consumers are hit a lot harder than others by the slide in the value of the dollar. The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen.

Which is worse: foreclosure or bankruptcy?
Based on our mail, the financial squeeze that’s left millions of Americans falling behind on their mortgage payments doesn’t seem to be letting up. For some, that presents a stark choice: is it better to lose your house to foreclosure or file for bankruptcy protection?. The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen

How you can prepare for a recession
While many economists say they don’t see a downturn on the horizon, it doesn’t hurt to consider the possibility that a recession may be coming. Think of it like getting ready for a storm: you may wind up with some extra batteries on hand if it doesn’t hit. But you won’t be left in the dark if it does. The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen

Should we be worried about the falling dollar?
The dollar touched an all-time low against the euro on Monday, extending its biggest three-month decline in three years.  Just what’s behind the Great Dollar Decline? What does all this mean for U.S. consumers? And what happens if the dollar keeps sliding?? The Answer Desk, by msnbc.com's John W. Schoen

Should Congress bail out borrowers in trouble?
With Congress  talking about ways  to help borrowers with adjustable mortgages who risk losing their houses because they can’t afford higher payments, some readers  are asking: why should taxpayers bail out these borrowers? If they signed up for an adjustable rate, shouldn’t they be prepared to deal with the consequences?  Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

What is the deal with hedge funds?
The financial storm that swept through the credit markets in the past two weeks involved a cast of characters that included a somewhat mysterious entity known as a hedge fund. Which left many readers wondering: What exactly is a hedge fund? Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

How does Fed ‘inject’ money into the system?
On Friday, the  Federal Reserve  pumped money into the global credit markets to head off a developing panic.  So just what happens when the Fed pumps money into the system? Whose money is it – and where does it go when the pumping starts?  Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

Will housing mess drag down economy?
As the U.S. housing market continues to grind through its worst slump in over a decade, some readers, like M.H. in Columbus, are wondering how long it will take before the U.S. economy starts to slump along with it.  Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

How appraisal fraud costs you money
This week, Jon in Florida is steamed at the high price of real estate, and he wants to know: where do they come up with these prices? Esther in Nevada is looking for her husband's long-lost pension. And Susan in Michigan is trying to figure out how much student debt is too much. Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

If housing's down, why are rates up?
The latest interest rate move by the Federal Reserve — a whole lot of nothing — has some readers, including Alvin in North Carolina, wondering why the central bankers aren't doing more to help the ailing housing market by cutting rates. Hint: They're still worried about inflation.  Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.

When will the housing market recover?
The cold front that has swept through the housing market has hit some areas of the country much harder that others, and a reader from Florida is among many wondering: when will things begin to pick up again? The Answer Desk, by MSNBC.com's John W. Schoen.