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"Borderlands"

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Genre: Action

Publisher: 2K Games

ESRB Rating: M for Mature

Grade: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

The challenging hiring environment has led some job seekers to use unorthodox tactics to grab attention. Robert Half International recently asked executives to name the most unusual strategies applicants have employed.

Dear Debt Adviser,

I have a question in regard to debt. My wife and I are currently in the process of modifying our mortgage. However, as soon as we started the modification process, our credit card limit was reduced significantly. Will a mortgage modification affect our credit? If so, for how many years?

-- Jes

Dear Jes,

Mark Doble's business venture, Aviator Brewing, started with a simple premise: People like beer. People like airplanes. Putting the two together seemed like a good idea -- even though the economy was in a tailspin.

He launched his craft brewery in November. A detailed plan, a thrifty mind and some engineering know-how have helped the venture thrive.

Nothing like a Wall Street rally to pump up investors. Eager to recoup losses from last year's market plunge, many recession-battered consumers could be eyeing the Dow's recent recovery as a chance to dive back in.

But don't take the leap with your eyes closed.

As they scoped out dress-up possibilities at A&H Costume Rentals & Sales in Riverside, Calif., Derek and Madonna Martin said they've been doing more comparison shopping this year than in past seasons before plunking down cash for costumes and other Halloween goods.

2010 MAZDA SPEED3 SPORT

TYPE: Front-drive, four-door, five-passenger, compact hatchback.

PRICE: $23,195 base, ($21,717 invoice), $25,340 as tested.

WHERE BUILT: Hiroshima, Japan.

KEY RIVALS: Dodge Caliber SRT4, Honda Civic Si, Mini Cooper S, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI.

When you're in hot pursuit of trend-setting enthusiasts, you can't afford to let your looks slip, especially in the automotive world.

So, Mazda is pursuing the pocket-rocket cognoscenti with a redesigned Speed3 intent on zooming to the front of the popular pack.

Is it too late for first-time homebuyers to snag the federal government's $8,000 tax credit?

The credit -- intended to boost flagging home sales -- is set to expire Nov. 30. Congress is weighing several proposals to extend the tax break into 2010, but passage remains uncertain.

Procrastinate, according to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, is "to put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that should be done."