Marielle Segarra

Senior Reporter

SHORT BIO

Marielle Segarra is a former reporter for Marketplace. She covers taxes and consumer psychology. She covered retail, consumer psychology and the economy. One topic she enjoyed exploring: how we shop – and the emotions that come up as we do. Pride. Guilt. Frustration. She also followed small businesses as they find their way in the pandemic and is always trying to show people how the ins and outs of the economy are relevant to their lives.

What was your first job?

Summer camp counselor to a bunch of 5-year-olds.

In your next life, what would your career be?

I think I would still want to create things. Maybe I'd be a chef. Or an interior designer. Or I'd write for a TV show.

Fill in the blank: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you ______.

Financial stability, which is a good start.

What’s the favorite item in your workspace and why?

My stash of chocolate.

Latest Stories (452)

Tax deadline fast approaching: Is the IRS ready?

Mar 25, 2022
It's still working through backlogs from previous couple of years.
Some people still haven’t gotten their 2020 tax refunds.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

If federal funding runs out, the uninsured would have to pay for COVID vaccines out of pocket

Mar 18, 2022
That could put the cost of booster shots out of reach for many Americans.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Though wages are rising, inflation is winning the race

Mar 10, 2022
Some economists figured wages would get ahead of the inflation rate this year. That was before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Inflation hit 7.9% for February. Wage increases can't keep up the pace.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A New Jersey community pharmacy's vaccine rollout, a year later

Mar 1, 2022
This time last year, Bell Pharmacy was doing everything it could to prepare for COVID-19 vaccines ... without knowing when the doses would arrive.
Tony Minniti, owner of Bell Pharmacy, worked with community groups to bring the vaccine to local residents.
Courtesy Minniti

From Alaska to Washington, one couple’s story of paid family leave

Feb 2, 2022
U.S. federal law requires companies to give workers 12 weeks off a year for family medical situations — unpaid. Whether or not workers get paid leave depends on what state they live in.
Washington is one of 10 states that has paid family medical leave. It made a huge difference for nurse practitioner Julia Mitzel, who was able to tap into it when her husband was undergoing cancer treatment.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images for Rock'n'Roll Marathon

What might consumer spending look like in 2022?

Dec 31, 2021
Retailers are making a calculation about what to put on shelves. And it comes down to supply and demand.
Throughout the pandemic, consumers have shopped quite a bit. It doesn't look like the spread of omicron is going to hamper that.
Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images

Job market looks strong as 2021 ends. 2022 looks uncertain.

Dec 30, 2021
Weekly unemployment claims are still hovering at the lowest level we've seen since 1969.
Though first-time unemployment claims are at their lowest point in about 50 years, omicron could disrupt the job market.
Patrick T. Fallon via Getty Images

What job trends will the new year bring?

Dec 30, 2021
The economy is growing and employers are still looking for workers, and that trend will probably continue for awhile.
The U.S. economy added 528,000 jobs in July, according to the latest jobs report, far outpacing expectations.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images

What's happened to the lunch places in office neighborhoods?

Sep 21, 2021
More than 18 months into the pandemic, Marketplace's Marielle Segarra checks in with restaurants usually dependent on office workers.
A restaurant employee looks at empty tables on Aug. 21, in Southampton, New York. The pandemic has continued to be hard on some restaurants and cafés dependent on lunch crowds.
Stephanie Keith via Getty Images

What's behind the chip shortage?

Sep 17, 2021
Shortages happen when demand is greater than supply. When it comes to computer chips, there are problems on both sides of that equation.
Jens Schlueter/AFP via Getty Images