Investing | The Cost of Active Investing | Dartmouth

Active or passive investing? Check this research study on the costs of being an active investor.

Hungry? | Sandwiches & Stands in LA | Eye Spy

I'm hungry just reading about these places ... enjoy the blog

Economics | Mortgage Market Meltdown | Brandeis

Detailed research paper on the current mortgage market meltdown. Must reading for full understanding. Research paper.

Education | In L.A., his own wall of China | LA Times

Counterpoint to the below posting on education in Finland. The challenges to education in LA are sobering. Article

Education | What Makes Finnish Kids So Smart? | WSJ.com

Finland's teenagers score among the highest in the world. Guess what - they have iPods and pink hair and watch TV; there's neither school uniforms nor standardized testing. Finland spends less per student than the US (on average). Why do they do so well? The answers are both simple to state and complicated to implement. Article

Obama | The Power of Words | WSJ.com

A compelling discussion of the power of words in leadership - and a, to me, startling comparison. Article.

Kedrosky Recommends | Frontline: secret history of the credit card | PBS

A Visa IPO could be the biggest in US history. For more about the credit card industry, check-out this show.

Need Higher Social Security? | Reapply! | Burns/AssetBuilder

Many folks applied for early Social Security and regret taking the much-reduced benefit. There's a way out - with a catch. See the article.

Two Interesting Articles | Wired

Anti-terrorist Mom. Record-breaking cross-country drive.

Telecommuters | Unintended Consequences | WSJ

interesting and somewhat different take on unintended consequences from high % telecommuters in an org ... a quick read ...

Face value | The accidental innovator | Economist.com

a fascinating read about a different way of thinking by this silicon valley entrepreneur

Suburbs | The Next Slum? | Atlantic

A compelling discussion of a sea change that may be approaching in American residential real estate. Rejecting the isolated suburban neighborhood cul-de-sac model. Embracing the walkable neighborhood where homes are diffused into a mix of retail and business. That gallon of milk purchase would no longer need a drive to the store. Article

How to tell if your boat is too small

Commerce vs Individual | Big Retail Chains | WSJ.com

Legislators may have gone overboard giving rights to retailers to recover losses from alleged shoplifting. Note the word alleged. The retailers are using threats of lawsuits to extract damages from individuals who have or MAY have taken merchandise. Seems like a subversion of the legal system to me. Article

Gen M | Suburban Jobs - Subpar? | MarketWatch/WSJ

Jobs in the City vs the Suburb - how Gen M weighs the trade-offs. Article

Graphic | Market's 50 years | FORTUNE Mag

Good integration of multiple information streams in one graphic.

12 People Changing Retirement | WSJ.com

I find a lot of encouraging and forward-thinking ideas in this article - there's much to be done ... and great talent to work it. What will you tackle?

Alt- View | College - Waste of Time/Money | FT

Here's a counter view to sending the kids to college (at least starting at age 18). Draw your own conclusions ... there are some interesting points made.

Something to Read | Best of 2007 | The Economist

Lots of choice here. Beatrix Potter to Gertrude Stein. 1967 Israel to Byzantium. Harry Potter and Nuclear Arms. I'm sure you'll find something interesting.

Prime the Pump! | Tax Rebate Explained! | LA Times

Don't spend it all in one place. Ummm ... or maybe you should? Here's the skinny on your tax rebate, courtesy of Uncle Sam's Economic Stimulation Package & Digestive Aid.

Housing Bubble | More to Come? | LATimes

Beyond the current sub-prime mess ... and, by the way, lots more sub-prime and low-documentation mortgages reset in 2008, so that debacle isn't over by far ... is the next potential hit.

The Boomers' impact on US economics/politics/society to-date is well-known. Take a look at this article about the potential next hit on housing prices by Boomers cashing-out or trading-down. All real estate economics is local ... how will your house fare?

Retiring Abroad | May Not Be Paradise | WSJ

Thinking of that inexpensive beach hacienda in Central America? There are some unique challenges to retiring abroad. See the WSJ article

Two Smart, Driven Women | Two Paths | WSJ

One woman went from model citizen to model prisoner. A fascinating story about finding one's connection in the wrong person, the wrong place. Read it here. The other story is more inspiring and more tragic at the same time. Here's Jeanette's obit and here.

50 Ways to Improve your Life in 2008 | US News

Already forgotten those new year's resolutions? Time to revisit here.

Candidate Blind Taste Test | Who Do You Choose? | Weekend America:

Here's an interesting approach. The GOP and Dem candidates' issue positions are summarized and then assigned to fictitious names (including both men and women). Take a look at this article and see which candidate YOU align with based on the issues (and without the baggage). You may be surprised.

Biofuels | Green or Not? | WSJ.com

Not as simple as biofuels = green. Unintended consequences are a significant factor. Read ...

Banned in Beijing | Chinese See Green Over Chopsticks | WSJ.com

A small start but a hopeful step ... perhaps Chinese youth can lead the PRC to more environmental consciousness ... see

Renting Out Your 2nd Home | Tips | WSJ

If you're thinking about a 2nd home and need rental income, you've got homework to do. See the article

Entrance Exam, 1869-70 | How Did You Do? | MIT

It you want a glimpse into preparatory education in the late 19th century, check out the questions in this exam ...

Dollar Cost Averaging | Does it work? | Academic Research Paper

Did you ever wonder if dollar cost averaging was just stock broker marketing or a validated approach? Read all about it here.