Consumer Issues

By MAX MESSMER
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
"HOBBIES: I really enjoy wallpapering."

That's not the stick-to-itiveness we had in mind.

The example above highlights a common mistake made by job seekers: providing irrelevant details about non-work-related interests in application materials.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006
TIP BOX

If you have to buy a last-minute gift, consider gift cards.

_ 92 percent of online shoppers believe that gift cards eliminate the risk involved with holiday gift-giving

_ Four out of five agree that gift cards are great last-minute gifts

_ Three-fifths say they have given a gift card to a spouse or partner as a holiday gift.

_Try American Express, Wal-Mart or Deluxe Card for gift cards that you can customize with the recipients name and short message and/or photo.

Source: Study conducted by BizRate.com.

By HELEN MALANI
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Admit it. You're guilty, as am I, of waiting until the last minute to do your holiday shopping. And let's face it, sometimes it shows in the gifts we wind up giving.

By PAIGE HERMAN and RONALD GOLDSTEIN
Monday, November 20, 2006
While wrinkles may be your first target in the fight against aging, the smile can't be overlooked. There are telltale signs of aging teeth, and these prevention tips and repair solutions can help keep your smile youthful for years to come.

Chew carefully: Be prepared for the unexpected and be mindful of what you are chewing, especially when eating food you haven't prepared yourself.

By ANNA WALLNER and KRISTINA MATISIC
Monday, November 20, 2006
The dreary season has arrived in many parts of the country, which means it's time to learn how to stay warm and dry under the drizzle.

By BEN VAN DER MEER
Monday, November 20, 2006
The arrival of the holiday season means a corresponding rise in gift cards, holly wreaths and even identity thieves.

As consumers make more purchases and spend more time shopping, potential identity theft traps are at the mailbox, online and in or near stores.

But for shoppers, forewarned is forearmed.

By CLINT SWETT
Monday, November 13, 2006
Let the salivating begin.

Heading into the holiday shopping season, three electronics giants _ Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Nintendo of America _ are launching long-awaited products this week.

Questions remain about how warmly Microsoft's Zune (pronounced Zoon), a $250 portable music player, will be received when it hits the market Tuesday and whether it can slow Apple's iPod juggernaut.

But analysts expect the two new video game systems by Sony and Nintendo to generate huge demand.

By TRACY CORREA
Monday, November 13, 2006
Dr. Leo Shishmanian, a 75-year-old Fresno, Calif., radiologist, retired once, but it ended up being more like a hiatus.

In 1999, he stopped working and traveled with his wife.

By TRACY CORREA
Monday, November 20, 2006
Dr. Leo Shishmanian, a 75-year-old Fresno, Calif., radiologist, retired once, but it ended up being more like a hiatus.

In 1999, he stopped working and traveled with his wife.

By LESLEY MITCHELL
Monday, November 20, 2006
Opening as early as 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving with a host of "doorbuster" specials is a modern retail tradition.

But what about a minute after midnight?

Mall owner General Growth Properties said that seven of its malls nationwide that will open moments after midnight on the much hyped Black Friday.