Business & Economy, business and economy

To any parent who's argued with a child over shutting off a video game, John Morrissey's Game Doctor Video Game Timer may sound like salvation.

For business owner Greg Mesaros, "social shopping" is a win for online buyers and sellers.

His Tampa, Fla.-based software company, eWinWin, develops Web applications to help online merchants promote social shopping, a practice of consulting with other shoppers before, during and after making a purchase.

Dear Mr. Walberg:

For small business owners like Betty Davis, this is a make-or-break year.

Stretched thin by the economy, the owner of Culture Collection gift shop in Sacramento, Calif. finds it increasingly hard to stay afloat at her shop.

It would seem inconceivable if it didn't happen so often: highly paid celebrities and athletes going broke.

Despite having one of the most lucrative careers in show business, Michael Jackson reportedly died $400 million in debt. Ed McMahon narrowly avoided foreclosure on his home before he died last week.

In an era of e-mailing and texting, some job seekers seem to forget that the resume and cover letter are business documents. As you write and edit your application materials, avoid using slang, emoticons or acronyms. After all, you're communicating with a prospective employer, not making weekend plans with a friend.

"Twebster302" needed $1,200 for a root canal. "JulesWWC" wanted $13,000 to open a fair-trade chocolate shop. "Needhelp," who said he's a state employee, asked for $1,000 to get his finances in order and help his handicapped brother.

Forget about "Fear Factor" stunts like eating worms or escaping from underwater tanks.

The scariest reality show on television these days could be one over on the Home and Garden TV cable channel. There is no decorator fluffing or staging, no talk about color palettes, no soft-focus lifestyle.

Modern-day 007s and average Joes can learn valuable lessons from Michael Peros, who is a secret agent man in his own right.

He's an expert when it comes to communication security such as eavesdropping and technical surveillance. He has crisscrossed the globe on assignment and has been interviewed on CBS News' "48 Hours."

If women had the same exposure as men to programs grooming them for top leadership roles, there would be more females populating executive offices, according to a new report about gender discrimination in the workplace.