investigator in the jon benet ramsey murder reveals his thoughts about a potential new lead in her death. and then at 3:00 eastern time, the government has all kinds of safety regulations for the food that we eat with nearly no laws for what we give our pets. what one group is doing to try to change that. i'm fredericka whitfield, "your money" starts right now. the stock market is up but you're feeling down, i'm christine romans, this is "your money." >> the s&p 500 at record highs, the nasdaq up 30% this year. but much of america isn't feeling any richer. >> corporations, businesses doing very well in this country and a large segment of the population is not riding along with it. >> only half of americans invest in the market. for everyone else, it's about a job and jobs aren't coming fast enough. 148,000 jobs added in september,

45,000 fewer than august. >> that pace of job creation is below what we can be fully satisfied with. >> too many people are being left behind. that is undeniable. >> also undeniable, america's cratering confidence. just 29% of americans say the economy is good. that's the lowest level of the year and a four-point drop since before the shutdown. but still, congress snipes. >> we've got the whole threat of obama care continuing to hang over our economy like a wet blanket. >> republican budget priorities that will cost jobs and even put more of a burden on the middle class. >> as we lurch from one manufactured crisis to the next, 11 million americans are still out of work. the country with the best workforce and the best infrastructure will lead the 21st century. hello, is anybody listening? >> our anchor of the league, gentlemen, nice to see you,

jake, let me start with you. americans have a real confidence problem here. everyone asks me if the problem right now is obama care or the lack of jobs or washington politics. and the answer is yes. there's just overwhelming negativity right now. how does the white house move forward, jake? >> well, it's going to be difficult for them. and we saw that with the recent events and the government shutdown and, of course, the debate over the debt ceiling. i think there are a couple of areas of opportunity for the white house to work with congress. one is some sort of budget deal. i don't think that a large scale budget deal is in the cards because republicans seem dead set against any new revenue. and i don't think the white house will go along with any deal that reduces the deficit that doesn't also increase taxes in some way, even if it's closing loopholes. so i do think a smaller deal is possible, maybe some modest trims to social safety net programs when it comes to wealthier recipients and also spending cuts and also, of course, immigration reform which i think is an area where there

can be serious movement. there is momentum for it in the senate and among the establishment republicans in the house. the big question is, will the conservatives, the tea party coalition in the house block it the way they did with so much having to do with the government funding bill and the debt ceiling debate? >> you know, greg, you heard jake's analysis is. i want to know your analysis and the president and his ability to take on his own party on entitlements. maybe you'll be able to scale back the safety net for wealthier americans. will you get real entitlement reforms? can the president take that on? >> that's tough. number one, i think you can't get a big entitlement deal without revenues and the republicans are not going to raise taxes, end of that discussion. number two, i think people probably have to get off this debate about maybe doing something to the social security c.o.l.a., the cost of living

adjustment. maybe some means testing that could be part of this deal that jake talked about. >> even a small deal could be ugly, guys. we're talking about things that have been real and tractable problems for several years now. has the tone shifted? i mean the president changing the subject to immigration reform, maybe that's, you know, a good sign, but has the tone shifted? >> it's kind of like if you're in a bad relationship and you stay in that bad relationship hoping that it will get better and five years later all you have is five years worth of nasty memories and things to bring up. that's kind of the relationship of president obama. >> love advice from jake tapper on the program. >> i'm talking about previous girlfriends not my current wife or only wife. but the idea that -- for instance, i've asked republican congressmen what about a deal? what about new revenues? and the answer almost to a republican is president obama already got that. look at the bush tax cuts and the deal at the end of 2012 and

the fact that taxes did go up on individuals earning more than, i think it landed at somewhere around $450,000 a year. >> right. >> they say there it is. that's the obama tax increase. he already got it and they don't want to talk about anything beyond that. if you ask democrats, some of them say, well, the republicans already got their spending cut, look at the sequester cut, the built-in budget cuts. so right now there's a lot of baggage that i think is impeding any sort of attempt to come to the table and start dealing anew with new revenues or new changes to safety net programs and spending cuts. >> well, we all can keep hoping for progress and try not to be mired to the negativity. nice to see both of you guys, have a great weekend. >> there's more than just washington that matters to your money. for other stories, give me 60 seconds on the clock. it's money time. more young people are just saying no to work. in 2000, 83% of 20 to

34-year-olds had jobs or were looking. today, it's less than 78%. men are doing more grocery shopping and food makers are taking notice. darker packages buzz worlds like ultimate and commercials like this. >> eat like that guy you know. >> are designed to snag male customers. from singles bar to search bar, according to a new survey, 38% of americans who are single and ready to mingle have used online dating. almost 60% of internet users say it's a good way to meet people, a 15-point jump from 2005. good news for gas prices, they could fall to three-year lows if the current trend holds. but watch out for airfares, you can expect to pay 9% more this year for thanksgiving travel. tax season will be delayed thanks to the government shutdown. the irs will start processing returns around the end of january, a week or two later than planned, but that won't push back the april 15th deadline to file.

and chugging into cyber space, the 113-year-old brand going digital with a new ipad app and ipad game. >> coming up, mcdonald's caught advising full-time employees to apply for food stamps. we'll tell you the high price we all pay for low fast food wages and prices next. i'm on expert on softball. and tea parties. i'll have more awkward conversations than i'm equipped for, because i'm raising two girls on my own. i'll worry about the economy more than a few times before they're grown. but it's for them, so i've found a way. who matters most to you says the most about you. at massmutual we're owned by our policyowners, and they matter most to us. ready to plan for your future? we'll help you get there. stick with innovation. stick with power. stick with technology. get the flexcare platinum. new from philips sonicare.

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as if the do you want fries with that economy was bad enough, now workers are left to ask, do you want food stamps with that? this week an advocacy group is not okay posted a recording of a mcdonald's employee calling the mcresource help line. during the call the operator advises the worker to apply for medicaid. >> do you have kids? >> yeah. two kids. >> you would most likely be eligible for snap benefits. >> also this week, walmart's ceo revealed the majority of the workers make less than $25,000 a year. both companies say the headlines have been taken out of context.

mcdonald's says the video is not an accurate portrayal of the resource line and walmart says many of the employees are part-time by choice which helps explain low annual salaries. but the bottom line here is not about the he said/she said of the details, it's the glaring fact these are people with jobs struggling to get by in this economy. the question, is it time again to start talking about a $15 minimum wage? mid wage jobs were hit the hardest during the recession. what's coming back? low-wage positions like those in fast food and retail. now, these used to be thought of as a gateway job for young people. but for many today, these are careers. the median age of a fast food worker is 29 years old. and more than half of those workers get government assistance. that cost taxpayers an estimated $7 billion a year. in an era of endless stalemates between the right and left, no one can be happy here. conservatives decry the exploding government entitlement programs that fill the gap. liberals express outrage that

profitable billion dollar companies have employees forced to make decisions like this. >> sometimes my husband eat and i don't and sometimes i eat and my husband don't. we have to alternate like that because we can't eat every day and still supply for our children three meals per day. >> look a $15 minimum wage may not be the answer, but it's hard to deny this economy is not working for everyone. meantime, workers demanding higher wages not the only issue for mcdonald's these days. between controversies and sluggish sales, is the shine off the golden arches? >> seen the hamburgler lately? it might be time for mcdonald's to bring back the burger bandit. and now the end of the dollar menu as we know it. starting in november, get ready for the dollar menu and more with new items up to $5. mcdonald's ceo says it promotes value at different price points. it's the latest attempt to bring

in business and bank more bucks. and burger king is trying to play the fitness first game with low fat fries. but are customers satisfried? it's too early to tell. wendy's is getting a makeover. revamping the image and the stock prize has doubled in the last year. the sizzling new menu item a pretzel bacon cheese burger. >> wendy's has gotten back to the core foundation. it's quality, freshness, burgers, fries, cokes. what people go to a wendy's for. and mcdonald's is, you know, trying to do all things to all people. >> does mcdonald's need to keep its eyes on the fries? >> they need to shrink. if they take their menu and eliminate those items not selling, then people will gravitate to the items more popular. >> tell that to starbucks.

after conquering coffee, the seattle house of liquids is opening tea houses. >> the acquisition of juice, the acquisition of food, all of that is enhancing the experience of starbucks creating different need states for our customers and recognizing these things are about creating complementary experiences for our customer. >> but customers would rather keep it simple. >> mcdonald's is the biggest restaurant company on the planet for a reason. it's done one thing well for 50 years, sells burger, fries and coke. >> mess with the menu and you may get grimaced. >> you have to appeal to a younger audience too. a lot of work ahead for mcdonald's. housing market hot or cold? i'm going to show you the only three numbers that matter in housing. plus, imagine your home ravaged by hurricane katrina, you rebuild and now your house is taken away from you again eight years later. >> you could die just tragedy from mother nature.

when you have this kind of storm to take place, i can't die just that. >> these families are not battling a storm, they are battling the banks. ting. it even knows you by name. now it's easier than ever to experience deep, restful sleep with the sleep number bed's dualair technology. at the touch of a button, the sleep number bed adjusts to each person's ideal comfort and support. and you'll only find it at a sleep number store. where right now our newest innovations are available with 36-month financing. sleep number. comfort individualized. medicare open enrollment. of year again. time to compare plans and costs. you don't have to make changes. but it never hurts to see if you can find better coverage, save money, or both. and check out the preventive benefits you get after the health care law.

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all right. i have the real story of what's going on in the housing market in three simple numbers to explain. first, falling mortgage rates, 4.13%, the average for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, that is the lowest now in four months. and those rates are likely to drop even more. why? because of this little number, the yield on a ten-year treasury note dipped below 2.5% this week. a jobs report likely means ben bernanke and his fed will keep the extraordinary bond buying for a while longer, at least until janet yellen takes over next year. the fed's bond buying keeps rates low. and that's great news for first-time home buyers or anyone looking to refinance. but my third number shows that low interest rates often don't

matter in housing. cash, baby, cash. 49% of all home purchases in september were 100% cash. no mortgage, more evidence people with money are still making money. and then there's this, it's been more than eight years since an active nature devastated new orleans. rosa flores here with more. families that live to tell the tale now victimized again. >> believe it or not, christine, many of them homeless again due to a perfect storm they didn't see coming that left middle class families like the one you're about to meet in foreclosure. >> reporter: they celebrated when they finished repairing their home after it was destroyed by hurricane katrina. >> you had to do what you had to do. >> yeah. it was survival. >> they look forward to sewing these suits in their family home, a tradition for four generations among members of the

black feather mardi gras indian tribe. but today they're without their historic home once again. lost not to a hurricane but to foreclosure. >> after losing your home during katrina, you weren't expecting something like this to happen again. >> you could die just tragedy from mother nature. i can't, me personally, but when you have this kind of storm to take place, i can't die just that. >> their troubles began when their son became very ill. all while they were rebuilding after another hurricane. fearful of falling behind on their mortgage, they asked their bank to renegotiate their loan. >> notice the date is july 11th, 2009. we are pleased to advise you your loan modification has been approved. >> yet each month, bank of america kept billing them the higher amount from the old mortgage. he kept paying on time as bank

reps assured him it was just a mistake. >> and did you make all of those payments? >> made all of those payments. >> on time. >> on time. >> a year later, the bank foreclosed anyway, taking the home where he grew up, where his son was born. the bank sold off their home for $48,000, less than half of what they owed. >> these are some of the files of people that we've helped over the years since katrina. >> james perry leads an organization that fights foreclosures. >> they're so proud of what they accomplished because they worked so hard to get there. and it didn't matter how many hurricanes came, didn't matter what happened, those families rebuilt because they were there to stay. >> in a statement, bank of america said we apologize to the sarinas for the events that clearly should not have happened the way they did. while we did not provide the service they expected from us, we're confident this is a unique case.

the federal government accused 13 banks, including bank of america with unsound foreclosure practices in 2009 and '10. the bank's admitted no wrong doing but paid $3.6 billion in settlement money. the sarinas' cut, $2,000. >> now hear this, bank of america made the sarinas made a verbal offer of $100,000 in an effort to make things right in a fair way they say. but they tell cnn that $100,000 is not a fair settlement. and, christine, here's their wish list -- or the majority of their wishlist. mortgage-free five bedroom, three bathroom home in the pontchartrain park subdivision in new orleans where they live and also a monetary for $750,000 for the five members. >> sounds like a reasonable way for bank of america to get out of a bad and sticky situation that bank of america made a terrible mistake and hurt this family. we'll keep up to date with what

they're doing and what happens in the very end. thank you so much. thank you for bringing that story and we'll follow up. coming up, finding a voice, there's an app for that. >> to watch a video of my son go into a subway and order lunch and use a credit card and pay for it. can you imagine? >> you're going to meet an 18-year-old with autism who has never spoken to his parents until now. customer erin swenson ordered shoes from us online but they didn't fit. customer's not happy, i'm not happy. sales go down, i'm not happy. merch comes back, i'm not happy.

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woo hoo! [ male announcer ] prilosec otc. the number one doctor recommended frequent heartburn medicine for 8 straight years. [ larry ] you can't beat zero heartburn. and best of all, it means i can enjoy all the foods i love. oh, zero heartburn is awesome. just like zero cutlery. ♪ [ male announcer ] prilosec otc. one pill each morning. 24 hours. zero heartburn. it was a week of tablet showdowns and soaring tech stocks, but it's important to remember profound ways technology is changing lives. you probably know a child or parent affected by autism. the centers for disease control and prevention says the number of children on the autism spectrum in the u.s. has increased tenfold in the past four years. in some cases, those with the disorder are nonverbal, struggle to communicate even with their parents. finding a voice, there's an app for that. a teen named joey. hi. >> hey, christine, we were lucky enough to spend a day with joey.

he's got supportive parents and teachers. and they helped us understand how technology has changed his life. take a look. ordering a sandwich has always been tough for joe. he's 18 years old and he has autism. >> joe doesn't talk. he hasn't spoken to us. >> he expressed himself by pointing. >> do you want yogurt or grapes? >> that's what he could eat and where he could go. even the bathroom. he could get agitated at times, even violent. >> he was biting himself, which a lot of kids on the spectrum will do. and i think that comes out of frustration from not being able to communicate. >> put paper plates on the table. >> but a year ago, his communication skills improved. for the first time, he was able to get through to his mother. he's using an ipad app. he's still pointing, but his communication abilities have improved. >> you want strawberries.

>> his interaction less frustrating. >> put the silverware on the table. >> using the technology, it combines a child's physical surroundings with videos of the child in those surroundings. >> it's joe in the pictures, which all the other things are those symbols of things which joe doesn't have an imagination, so trying to figure out what the picture meant just made things more complicated. >> he's learning and he's much, much calmer. >> when joe came to us at 15, really the extent of his communication was he was pushing us away if we were stopping him from something or grabbing what he wanted. but there was no real attempts a the verbal language. >> it has become a common teaching tool for kids in his school. >> putty. >> get the putty, joe. nice work, that is the putty. you drink with a? cup. nice job. >> show me something that goes with seat belts. car goes with seat belts, you're so good. >> we're trying to give that

correspondence where this magazine or this is represented by this picture here literally what you're seeing in front of you. if you touch what you want here, we'll give it to you. >> subway is a block away from joe's school. for the first time, he can order on his own. >> 12-inch italian bread. italian bmt. provolone cheese. pickles and chips please. >> to watch a video of my son go into a subway and order lunch and use a credit card and pay for it. i mean, can you imagine? >> the progress he's made really unbelievable. i should mention, christine, it's not cheap, it costs $150 in the app store but i'll say this, it's comparable to a lot of other therapy apps out there and it's still a lot less than some of the older tech out there which costs thousands of dollars. and you know, when it comes down to it, it's an investment a lot of families are willing to make and also a reminder that

technology can change lives. >> really finding his voice for the first time. what a wonderful story. for more on the stories that matter to your money, cnn.com/yourmoney. everything you need to know about jpmorgan's record $13 billion settlement and what the future holds for jamie dimon the ceo. have a great weekend. hello, everyone, i'm fredericka whitfield, here are the top stories we're following in the "cnn newsroom." protesters are gathering in d.c. showing their anger over the u.s. spying on international allies and u.s. citizens. and 17 years after her murder, what happened to jonbenet ramsey remains a mystery. the former lead investigator in the case reveals his thoughts about a possible new lead in the case. and two people are suing barney's department store in new york saying store clerks racially