By KATHLEEN PENDER, San Francisco Chronicle

Once a novelty, dream-home raffles are becoming a popular but risky way for nonprofit organizations to raise money.

The concept marries two of America's favorite obsessions -- gambling and real estate -- with that good feeling you get from supporting a worthy cause.

Paul Meany of San Francisco has a good question about unemployment statistics that illustrates why, if you want to know what's going on in the labor market, you can't fixate on one number or headline.

Like many people considering a mortgage modification, David L. of Oakland, Calif., wonders how it will affect his credit score.

If you missed out on the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers, which is set to expire after Nov. 30, don't despair.

One of two things will probably happen: Congress will extend the credit into next year or, if not, home prices will fall as demand falls off, perhaps by as much as $8,000.

As lenders cancel or cut limits on credit cards and home equity lines of credit, many consumers are wondering how this affects their credit score.

The short answer: It's never good.

With the U.S. dollar falling to a 14-month low against an index of other currencies last week, I figured it would be a good time to check in with Michael Hasenstab, manager of the Templeton Global Bond Fund.

Like most foreign funds that don't eliminate currency risk through hedging, this one has benefited from the dollar's recent slide.

If you have been laid off and your income is abysmal this year, consider taking advantage of your low tax bracket by converting a regular individual retirement account or 401(k) plan into a Roth IRA before year's end.

In his speech on health care reform last week, President Barack Obama endorsed a plan to charge insurance companies a "fee" on their "most expensive policies."

In other words, Obama likes the idea of taxing what have been termed gold-plated, or Cadillac, health plans.

Time could be running out for some key tax and spending provisions in the federal stimulus act that are set to expire by Dec. 31.

These include beefed-up unemployment benefits, a sales tax deduction for new-vehicle purchases, a federal subsidy for Cobra health-insurance premiums and an $8,000 first-time home-buyer credit.

The popularity of Cash for Clunkers has built excitement for the government's next program to stimulate the economy and save energy: cash for appliances.

In June, the Department of Energy said it is making $300 million in stimulus-act money available to state energy offices to offer rebates on energy-efficient household appliances.