By VICKI LEE PARKER, Raleigh News & Observer

Typically, people prefer to put their money in large banks. Most like the extra sense of security and the variety of features and services they offer.

But lately, Mr. Big Bank has taken on the characteristics of a high maintenance relationship: fickle terms, low returns, hefty fees and -- finally -- the meltdown.

The turbulent financial market is causing people to shake up their financial portfolios, dump underperforming stocks, adjust retirement funds, sell homes and investment properties.

Students at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School have a leg up on some of their competition. To raise the visibility of its finance programs, the school has invested $1.2 million in a capital markets trading lab.

As health care gets more expensive and workers are asked to carry more of the costs, high-deductible insurance plans are getting more popular.

But many people are finding an unexpected cost: Doctors expect their full payment up-front.

Companies have long been trying to get us to "go green." That's their environmentally friendly way of saying they don't want to send paper bills and statements.

Some offer cash rewards or bonus points on credit cards to those who go paperless. Citi promises to plant a tree for each of us who agrees to go online to view and pay our credit-card bill.

Every day this year, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 62.

Many will have questions about their Social Security benefits, but few will likely get answers -- at least not quickly.

The Social Security Administration's has reduced its staffing by more than 5 percent since 2003, to about 60,000.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Harold E. Funderburk has noticed more and more big rigs parked on the side of the road with "for sale" signs in their windows.

"They are just giving it up, selling their stuff and going to work for some big (trucking) company," the Raleigh, N.C. trucker said.