Personal $ | Do-It-Yourself Tax Cut | WSJ/MarketWatch

When you get your economic stimulus check, save it. And then check-out this article for more ideas about how to get your personal finances into better shape.

This nation and its citizens can't borrow, consume and spend itself silly forever, now can it? FY2007 Interest on the national debt was $430B or about $3800 per household per year. That's just the interest on money the feds spent that they didn't have. Just for scale, the national debt is $9.3Trillion. The TOTAL subprime mortgage debt in the nation is about $1Trillion. So, subprime mortgage debt is a piker compared to our national debt.

To see how the national debt has changed over time, check-out this graphic (from this website). Unsettling. Who was watching the shop when those administrations racked-up all that debt? Have you told your kids/grandkids how lucky they are to have to pay-off our debts? They may not be thrilled.

Largest Exporters | Economist

I was surprised by these rankings. Amazing that we don't manage to export more than Germany. Not surprised in US being largest importer @ $2Trn of merchandise per yr.

Generic Drugs | The Same? Yes & No | WSJ.com

I always figured generic prescription drugs were close enough to the brand name ones. Apparently, that applies to the active ingredients. Inactive ingredients, which can affect absorption rate, do vary. This can cause significant differences in effectivity. An important article on your prescription meds.

FICO Credit Score | How To Fix | WSJ/Yahoo! Finance

Be sure to check-out the end of this article for tips on how to improve your credit score (and what things you should not do). An especially helpful article if you're about to shop for credit - see the section about moving fast to secure a loan once you start shopping around for rates.

Green Acres II | Lawn to Farm | WSJ.com

From bluegrass to butterbeans. Is this the transformation of the American lawn? With high food prices and looming peak water, this may make sense. Beware of the HOA enforcers, though. They may insist on the bluegrass. See the article.

Money for Nothing | Search Benefits Charities | WSJ

The article itself isn't available on public search but this site has posted it verbatim. Another opportunity to benefit charities @ no cost.