A Tale of Six Cities Cross-town or cross-country, the search for better commercial real estate deals is on. And it's very often worth the hunt. The Subprime Credit Crunch The latest victim of the subprime mess? The investment funds of states and counties nationwide. The fallout may hurt towns and schools. Search Engine Results Pages Turn Into Destinations Search engine result pages are evolving into destinations as searchers find what they are looking for on these pages. Social Security in crisis? Hardly. Despite doomsayers, predictions, Social Security is solvent, effective, and highly likely to continue that way. Five Tips for Staying Productive The comforts of home can make it easy to become distracted from your job. Here's how to avoid common pitfalls of working when your life is just down the hall. Freebies from home builders With new homes a drug on the market, builders are trying to lure reluctant buyers with plane tickets, new cars, and even a pet peacock. The Hardest Word A timely apology and adequate compensation may persuade patients not to sue over medical mistakes. So why do most hospitals stonewall? Estate planning for everyone Everybody talks about estate planning, but not everyone knows what they're talking about. Here's a primer on the parts of a basic plan. Smart decisions help maximize charitable donations, deductions Thinking of a year-end charitable donation. Good for you, but with the tax code growing ever more complex, make sure you're getting full credit for your philanthropy. Dollar slips, euro gains credibility as viable rival As the dollar slips and the euro gains credibility, you have to wonder: will the world choose a new reserve currency? Probably not just yet. Can We Cure Aging? They say aging is one of the only certain things in life. But it turns out they were wrong. Gerontologists have overturned much of the conventional wisdom about getting old. When Buying a Warranty Makes Sense As much as the salesman may want you to buy that extended warranty, it's usually not worth it. But there are a few situations in which it's money well spent. Going The Distance There is almost no limit to how far he will go, even accompanying his undergraduates from New England to a South American jungle. But don't ask him to climb a tree. Homeowner Looks to Slash Costs As Teardown Costs Double The plan was to replace an aging cottage with a custom-built home for about $800,000, but that grew to $1.6 million. The owner looks for ways to cut the price. Cry for Me, Argentina (and Russia and China) Price controls are so last century. But they haven't been completely vanquished. Rather, they've lain dormant, waiting to be revived by the strong odor of inflation. Why 80 Is the New 30 Forget shuffleboard and croquet. With Americans living longer, a growing number of people are embarking on entrepreneurial second careers?well into their 80s. A New Step In Scarless Surgery 'Scarless' surgery, which reaches organs via the mouth or other orifices, came closer to reality when doctors removed a gallbladder through an incision in the vaginal wall. Students often overlook federal loans that are great deals Many college students and their parent are flocking to loans from private companies, often overlooking federally guaranteed loans with much better terms. The Long Trail The government's tallying of Indian trust money may well be the most ambitious accounting project in U.S. history. It's also the most controversial. Cheaper Solar Technology Attracts More Homeowners Less expensive photovoltaic cells and solar-powered gadgets are helping more consumers go green. But the industry's growing pains can be a problem. How Money-Savvy Are You? You may consider yourself money-savvy, but you could know less than you think you do. Take this quiz to see how you rate. Project Green: The Power of the Sun With oil prices near record highs and more companies concerned about their carbon footprints, workers are finding job opportunities in the emerging green economy. 153 ways to go green Here are a slew of green ideas you can use to save the planet?and some cash?in every area of your life. Your Money: Consider employer's health options carefully Benefits enrollment season is here. Before long, your employer will send you a package outlining your health care options for the coming year. Here's what to expect. Arts Enrichment Art auction houses, museums, and collecting clubs now offer education for busy executives, peripatetic travelers, art-business professionals, and niche collectors. The Scientific Legacy of Sputnik Sputnik 1 ('traveling companion' in Russian), launched 50 years ago, was the size of a basketball and weighed 180 pounds. It sparked unprecedented scientific achievements. Can't sell your home? Be a landlord Can't sell your home? It might be a better choice to become a landlord while you ride out the housing slump. Great global shift to service jobs It used to be agriculture, or sometimes manufacturing. But now in the global job market, it's service that's hot. The Body Can Beat Terminal Cancer ? Sometimes They should be dead. Yet somehow, a tiny number of people conquer lethal diseases. Finding out why is baffling and fascinating. Low-fare, Long-Haul: Second Time Around Low-cost airlines have revolutionized short-haul air travel. Could the same business model could work equally well for longer flights? Car-Rental Clubs Offer a Host of Perks If you find yourself renting a car at least once a year, staying loyal to a rental agency can be just as rewarding as a frequent flyer program. Here's how. Why Early Retirement Is Losing Its Appeal The appeal of early retirement is fading, and more and more folks are willing even eager to work beyond some arbitrary date. Insure Like an Expert As the art market keeps rising, art investors prosper. But damage to your precious holdings could be ruinous unless you have the right insurance coverage. Live Long & Prosper Lengthening life spans are challenging and reshaping strategies to protect even the largest nest eggs. Ultimate Travel Library Good travel books are, in a word, magic. Not only do they show us the world, they help us define our place within it. Here are a lot of great ones. 8 ways I improved my bottom line These tips show eight ways doctors can improve their bottom lines. But many apply even if your business isn't a medical practice. Boomers to put off retiring, since they have to As baby boomers begin to ease into their 60s, most expect to delay retirement longer than their parents or grandparents and many can't afford to stop working anytime soon. Simple ways to raise your credit score Consumers often are unaware of their credit scores, but giving it some attention could save you thousands on a mortgage. Your Money: To really help a charity, just write a check A new report by Charity Navigator, a charity watchdog group, contends that walk-a-thons, golf outings and black-tie balls are an inefficient way to raise money for charities. How Property Ownership Changes Your World View When Argentine squatters were granted property title it changed their view of the world. How does property ownership affect our beliefs and our attitudes toward capitalism? Laying the Cornerstone You may love art, and collecting seems a way to both feed your passion and, perhaps, earn investment gains. But knowing how to get started can be a stumbling block. Can Africa Be Saved by Private Aid? Can Africa be saved by private aid? Some programs funded by philanthropists seem to be working, and pop star Bono wants rich countries to do more. Homeowners Wage a Rebellion As Property-Tax Assessments Rise As tax assessments rise, people are lodging record numbers of tax appeals. Many are discovering that the assessed value of their residence is higher than its market price. 51 Ways to Cut Vacation Costs Don't get caught in a tourist money trap. Learn how to save big with these 51 savvy strategies, from avoiding hidden charges to cashing in on off-season deals. The Upside of Recession? Almost everyone dreads another downturn. We've been conditioned to think of slumps as undesirable. But the reality is far more complex. More Real Estate Brokers Are Reducing Their 6% Fees There's not much good news for home sellers these days. But one trend could save you money. Realtors seem increasingly willing to negotiate on their commission. Retiring couples need $215K for health costs You know health care in retirement will cost you. But how expensive? A new study suggests a couple should have $215,000 set aside. How to Conquer Long Airport Lines Flying somewhere? Well, not before you navigate those endless lines through security. These tips can speed up your passage. Scientists weigh risks of climate 'techno-fixes' Faced with the specter of a warming planet and frustrated by the lack of progress on this time-sensitive issue, some scientists have begun researching back-up plans. What Is the Government's Role in U.S. Healthcare? Health care is on track to consume 40% of our gross national product by the year 2050. But are we addressing health-care cost issues with the creativity they deserve? Wall Street adds climate change to bottom line The environmentally tinged takeover of TXU Corp. illustrates global warming's increased financial relevance. Your 2006 taxes: Easing the bite on retirement savings Though the rules on retirement planning for small businesses may seem straightforward, there may be variations on the usual themes to help you shield more from taxes. Wireless Internet Access Some 34% of internet users have logged onto the internet using a wireless connection either around the house, at their workplace, or some place else. Protecting Mom from financial scams The Securities and Exchange Commission estimates that some five million senior citizens are the targets of financial abuse each year. Help your parents avoid getting burned. Uncle Sam can help pay many moving expenses Americans have always been mobile. Our restlessness is even encouraged somewhat by the Internal Revenue Service's tax deduction for moving expenses. Line up estate now, ease burdens later In an era of divorce and stepfamilies, it is essential to keep wills current?but 60% of Americans do not. Robotic Exoskelton Could Help People Walk Once the province of science fiction, real exoskeletons, controlled by the wearer's own nervous system, could soon help people walk. Take your home equity and run Many people are selling their homes and moving to less-expensive parts of the U.S. Here's how they're doing it. End of US housing slump? Maybe not. Homes priced out of buyers? reach and unsold inventory could derail analysts? predictions that the housing market is near its bottom. Richard Branson Offers $25 Million Climate Prize Sir Richard Branson's $25 million prize offered to the scientist who can find how to extract greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is like a 17th-century quest, he says. Water for Profit In a rush to a new sort of liquidity?and undaunted by tight regulations and huge infrastructure costs?companies are diving into the water business. Here's When to Replace Common Household Items Nothing lasts forever, but how can you tell when everyday objects, from mattresses to computers, are past their sell-by date? Here's expert advice. When Bad Things Happen to Good Vacations All too often, bad things happen to good vacations. These tips can help you cope when events conspire to ruin your precious time away. 5 tax audit red flags The IRS conducted 1.3 million audits last year, up more than 5% from the year before. With that percentage expected to keep rising, here are five red flags to avoid if you can. Google's Buried Treasure Think you know all about what Google has to offer? These four great applications may not be on your radar screen, but that's probably a mistake. What you can do now to shave '06, '07 taxes It's probably too late to save on your 2006 taxes. But it's not too early to start looking for ways to cut your bill for 2007. These ideas could help. When It's Smart to Pay More Sometimes, when you travel, it pays to pay more. These 13 sensible splurges could make all the difference on your next vacation. Making a will: Leave nothing to chance To avoid heartache for the very people you're trying to protect, here's what you need to know before you sit down with an attorney to make your will. How parents pay for private school Ever wonder how some parents manage to pay for four years of private high school and then send their kids to college? Sometimes, so do they. Greener, cleaner ... and competitive? Renewable sources could supply one-quarter of U.S. energy by 2025, with no harm to economy, according to this new study. New Airport X-rays Reveal Passengers' Bodies U.S. airports are starting tests of a new screening system that x-rays passenger's bodies to detect concealed explosives and other weapons?and leaves nothing to the imagination. Comfortable States It is no secret that some states are more financially kind toward the vacation homeowner than others. Scratch the surface, though, and you'll quickly discover surprising locations. 18 New Places To Retire Where are baby boomers going to head when they retire? This 18 hot spots are among the latest favorites. 16 Ways to Be a Smart Tourist You may not want to be called a tourist, but on most trips, that's exactly what you are. These 16 tips can help you be a better one. The smart way to give to your Alma Mater You want to give back to your alma mater but you're not sure how to do it? Here are answers to several important questions. Start collecting Social Security at 62 ? or wait? The tradeoff for starting Social Security payments at age 62 is clear?a monthly check now vs. smaller payments for life. But deciding what's right for you is less simple. 4 tips for buying a house in a buyer's market Now should be a great time to buy a house. Prices are falling, and so are mortgage rates. Millions of houses are for sale, and sellers are getting anxious. But is it too soon to bite? Links Disclosure: Links to other sites are provided for your convenience. 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