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Some people take politics too seriously. There were murder threats against Kstherine Harris, Florida's Secretary of State.... keep reading

There is a "leading economic indicator" for housing in any city. It gets some press, but not enough. It has just turned bearish for San Diego, where the weather is great and housing prices are out of sight.... keep reading

Thursday: gold is pushing near its high for 2005. The Dow in gold dollars fell.... keep reading

The problem in making this judgment has to do with bubbles. We are seeing high housing prices and high oil prices. Are these bubbles? Gold was a bubble in January 1, 1980. So was silver. Do you want to buy, based on bubble ratios? Presumably not.... keep reading

You should first count the cost -- not just in money but in time. Which should you budget? Why? Next, which is the best way to buy: New or used? Next, which is the best way to haggle: time or price?... keep reading

You should first count the cost -- not just in money but in time. Which should you budget? Why? Next, which is the best way to buy: New or used? Next, which is the best way to haggle: time or price?... keep reading

This is a two-part strategy. The first part is simple: a way to save an extra $1,750 a year. Invest this money. The second is not simple and not intuitive. It can lead to a promotion.... keep reading

You should write your own advertising copy because no one knows your product's story better than you do. No one is more enthusiastic about it than you are. Here are the basics of copywriting.... keep reading

If you are looking for a safe place, find a town that still has a 4th of July parade and speeches. Here, there is a trace of the older, safer world that I can remember: pre-Vietnam War.... keep reading

Smart buyers focus their efforts in neighborhoods where they know values. Now when they find an opportunity, a seller that is willing to lower his price for a quick deal, they can make an offer below the market.... keep reading

The erosion of the value of digital money varies in its rate, but not in its direction. Where should you start in a program of self-defense?... keep reading

If you want to survive in business, make sure your customer perceives that you are going out of your way to deliver value. This is not just a slogan.... keep reading

A memorable Honda ad: the Rube Goldberg ad. But did the ad work? That is, did it sell more Hondas? Does it violate one of the fundamental rules of advertising? "Clever doesn't sell." If it did, was it worth the risk, and cost of running this ad?... keep reading

Dollar down, gold down, silver down, Dow Jones down.... keep reading

Rare is the businessman who takes steps to overcome this universal problem. In the newsletter business and subscription website business, we know it's a huge problem and we take specific steps to solve it. Imitate us.... keep reading

Perfectionism seems to be a blessing. It makes people take care in their work. But there are times when it can keep you from finishing. Here's how to know when to be less than perfect.... keep reading