• ALL BUSINESS: Cash is king for investors
    That old saying "cash is king" certainly rings true these days. Investors can't seem to get enough of it, which ultimately could be bad news for the stock market and the economy.
  • Trip expenses
    What Gov. Mark Sanford spent on his trip to Argentina where, he admits, he met his lover. Taxpayers paid $11,981 for air travel and other expenses by Sanford and a Commerce Department aide to Brazil and Argentina. A separate Commerce Department fund paid $767.32 for an interpreter, lodging and ground transportation. That fund is not taxpayer-financed, but paid for by South Carolina businesses to help the state recruit businesses.
  • New York Moms: The Dental Dilemma
    Eden Pontz There are a lot of things in New York City in which parents generally expect to spend "more than the norm". Birthday parties, babysitting, shoes, are a few that come immediately to mind. But following a recent visit to the pediatric dentist, as the receptionist handed me the bill, I wondered whether they use gold in the fillings here, instead of silver.
  • Shaquille O'Neal says he brings high goals to Cavaliers
    If Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's ears were burning Thursday afternoon, it shouldn't have been a surprise. His name came up a couple of times during Shaquille O'Neal's introductory news conference with the Cavaliers.
  • ALL BUSINESS: Cash is king for investors
    That old saying "cash is king" certainly rings true these days. Investors can't seem to get enough of it, which ultimately could be bad news for the stock market and the economy.
  • Great divorce tips: Deciding to divorce
    Getting divorced? Here are some true stories of divorce from the book "'You Can Keep the Damn China!' And 824 Other Great Tips on Dealing With Divorce" (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who've lived it:
  • Fixit: Stinky hot water
    Q: Why does the new water heater make the water smell of sulfur? We had it installed and then left for vacation only to return to stinky hot water.
  • Home energy Q&A
    Q: I thought I was operating our air conditioner efficiently until a neighbor came over to our house and told me he just read in your column that I shouldn't leave the "fan setting" running all the time on our thermostat like I usually do. Now I'm wondering if I'm using the air conditioner properly or not. It does seem our house never cools off in hot weather. What tips do you have for staying cooler?
  • Married and coming out
    On the morning of his 21st wedding anniversary, Randy Spires woke up expecting kisses and a loving note from his wife, affirming their lives together. Instead he found he'd been blind-copied on an e-mail to her female lover. "It was like taking every emotion you ever had and putting it on the tumble setting in your clothes dryer," Spires says.
  • Newly divorced and searching for love? Try a wedding
    You accepted your friend's wedding invite months ago when there was hope there'd be a "plus one" in your life. Much to your chagrin, you have to go it solo... again. Many divorced women dread going to weddings due to the fear of sticking out as one of the few single people present. But don't push the play button on that evil mix tape in your head complete with titles like, "Never going to find the right man" or "Give me another gin and tonic."
  • Real estate Q&A
    Q. I belong to a homeowners association. We have a difficult time collecting the Dues from some homeowners. What would you suggest? We file liens after giving them ample warnings, but we can collect only when and if they sell their house. We thought about denying them privileges of swimming and tennis court use, but we would have to have someone enforcing them. Thanks for your thoughts.
  • Condos squeeze deadbeat residents
    Rosa Mendoza's upstairs neighbor quit making his condo association payments almost a year ago. He bought another home and let his unit slide into foreclosure.
  • SunPatiens make riveting displays
    After three years, I am hooked on the New Guinea-type impatiens series called SunPatiens. The heat over the past few weeks has made gardening a real struggle. But every day, as I return home from work I see the Sunpatiens near my front door putting on a dazzling show.