Author: Denise Royal, Producer

As a single woman, I NEVER wait for men to call, so I was giddy when Jim Simonin of New Mexico called me right on time yesterday at 2:05 p.m. Now, now, before you get any ideas, Jim isn't a man I'm dating. He's a viewer who used Skype to be our first on-air guest in our new "Can You Tell Me?" segment.

There was something else pleasantly surprising about Jim. I was expecting some college kids and a few other 20-somethings to call us on Skype with questions. But Jim is 73 years old. He's a retired engineer who loves technology. His web cam was crystal clear and we had a great conversation. You'll have to stay tuned to NBR to hear his questions on the air.

Here's the point: NBR is trying some new things like Skype and we want to hear from YOU to answer your questions on the economy and personal finance.

Please keep your blog entries and emails pouring in. We've gotten great responses via email (nbrmail@nbr.com) and the first blog entry I wrote.

Most of the responses that we've received can basically be put in to 3 groups.

The first group is "Riding Out the Storm" by pinching pennies, driving less and cutting back on extras. The people comprising this group are looking to pay down their debt or eliminate it all together. For the most part, they are no longer concerned with keeping up with the Joneses. These folks are trying to keep their homes and their jobs while sending their kids to college.

Thanks to everyone who responded to this blog and who emailed us at nbrmail@nbr.com. Stocks fell for a sixth straight session today, even after a worldwide coordinated interest rate cut. Have we reached the point of “maximum pessimism” or is there still more to go?

We received an interesting e-mail from a 72 year-old widow who’s Riding Out the Storm by:

ENTRY UPDATED ON NOVEMBER 13, 2008 -

Warning: The American economy is in crisis. Tight credit remains at the heart of the problem. Banks are charging each other much higher rates to borrow money, and they are turning away many consumers who are looking for loans.

Let’s face it, the tightening of credit is forcing many of us to reevaluate how we are handling our finances. For months, NBR has been showing you examples of how businesses, corporations and individuals are coping with the crisis.

Some people are working longer, while others like me, wonder if we'll ever retire. The way Social Security is going, I’ll be able to collect payments for a few years then I’ll have to rejoin the workforce in my 70’s. (And probably still drive the same Toyota Corolla that I currently own.)

I’ve hit a major milestone this week. While I am turning another year older, that’s not the exciting news. My car reached the 100,000 mile mark during my commute to work this morning.

When I was growing up, I thought 100,000 miles was the end of the line for a car. But now I think my 2004 Toyota Corolla is only middle aged. And with gasoline prices at more than $4.05/gallon, I’m okay with that.

During my 4 1/2 years of ownership, I’ve essentially had no problems. (My parked car was hit a few times by random people -- resulting in a few dings, but no major dents.)

I bought the car because my previous one had conked out at 86,000 miles. I needed a reliable car because I drive a lot. These days, my round trip commute is just over 50 miles a day. That’s nothing -- 4 years ago I drove 125 miles a day to get to and from work.

Wall Street is keeping up last week's momentum.. up more than 200 points today. That's due in part to a new agreement that will give Bear Stearns shareholders five times the payout than was outlined in a JPMorgan Chase buyout deal a week ago. So far today, Bear Stearns shares have nearly doubled in value. New York Bureau Chief Scott Gurvey will have analysis on today's announcement.

A stronger-than-expected housing report is adding to the upswing. The National Association of Realtors reported sales of previously-owned homes rose in February after falling six months in a row. At the same time, the trade group says median home prices fell by the largest amount on record. Tonight, Susie Gharib interviews Tobias Levkovich, chief U.S. strategist at Citigroup about what's going on in the commodities markets. Stephanie Dhue looks at parallels between the current credit crisis and and the Savings & Loan Crisis of the 1980's and early 90's. And, in tonight's Tax Tips, advice for homeowners facing foreclosure from Kevin McCormally, Executive Editor at Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

The second straight month of job losses all but ended the debate over whether the U.S. economy has slipped into recession. The Labor Department says nonfarm payrolls tumbled 63,000 in last month, after falling 22,000 in January, which was the first decline in more than four years. Tonight, Suzanne Pratt takes a look at what today's data means for the economy and new hopes of another rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

Wall Street stocks fell, came back, and fell again on the news. The Fed is moving to assist credit markets. Today the central bank said it would boost the size of its term auction facility or TAF to $100 billion. And how much is too much? Lawmakers on Capitol Hill say top banking industry executives were paid far too much in salary, retirement, and bonuses while their companies' fortunes declined. Countrywide Financial's Angelo Mozilo, Stan O'Neal formerly of Merrill Lynch, and Charles Prince formerly of Citigroup are defending their millions in compensation and the contributions they made to their respective companies.

Plus, tonight's Market Monitor say gold is the best hedge in this growing global credit crisis. He's Mark Skousen, author of Investing in One Lesson.

Yahoo says no to Microsoft's takeover bid, initially valued at 44.6 billion dollars. Yahoo says the offer is too low -- but Microsoft isn't backing down. What does all of this mean? We'll get analysis from Toan Tran of Morningstar. Plus, Wall Street's most famous index is making big changes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is adding two firms.. and losing two. New York Bureau Chief Scott Gurvey looks at what brought on the changes.. and what it means to investors.

Also tonight, there's a huge surge in spending on educational testing. We'll show you as we kick off our new series "The New Business of Education" with a look at what 's behind the trend. And finally, tonight's commentator predicts tremendous challendges for the next U.S. president. She's Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow at Brookings and former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve.

Wall Street ended in positive territory for the first time this week. The gain for stocks comes the same day that retailers reported dismal sales for January. Wal-Mart was among the big losers with sales coming in well below estimates. Suzanne Pratt looks at new consumer spending trends in tonight's program and what they means to the economy and to the prospect of recession.

On Capitol Hill, the Senate has passed a stimulus plan that will provide one-time rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples plus $300 for each child. Low income earners, including retirees on Social Security and disabled veterans who pay no income taxes, would receive checks of $300. The House was also expected to give its approval Thursday and send it to President Bush for his signature. Also on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are trying to figure out how to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Stephanie Dhue was there for today's debate.

And finally, Scott Gurvey wraps up his Future of Television series tonight, with a look at how its evolution to digital technology will bring viewers new options and will also impact how programs are recorded and viewed and even how news is gathered.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the central bank is ready to act aggressively to help the economy. In a Washington speech, he said the Fed stands "ready to take substantial additional action as need to support growth and to provide adequate insurance against downside risks." Stephanie Dhue gets reaction to the speech and looks at if there are limits to what the Fed can do. In addition, we'll get some analysis from Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist for First Trust Advisors. Despite Bernanke's assurances and all of the M&A news, concerns remain about the outlook for the economy. The nation's biggest retailers reported weaker-than-expected holiday sales today. Suzanne Pratt takes a look at how the disappointing holiday performance is making analysts more pessimistic about consumer spending in 2008.

Plus, there's word of big mergers and acquisitions today as well. Bank of America is reportedly in talks to buy Countrywide Financial. Delta Airlines is reportedly in merger talks with another airline. And, our Economic Choices '08 coverage tonight turns to Senator Hillary Clinton. Washington Bureau Chief Darren Gersh talks one-on-one with her top economic advisor Gene Sperling.