FHA: Housing's Safety Net Begins to Fray

The Federal Housing Administration backs nearly a third of all new mortgages. But its cash is dwindling, and its losses are mounting fast. Is another bailout in the cards?

• High-End Homes That Won't Sell
• 25 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis

Retailers Gear up for Black Friday

As Black Friday draws closer, retailers are lean but shoppers remain tight-fisted. There will be price wars, but not the panic discounting of last year

• Tech Buyer's Guide 2009
• Black Friday—Shop Till You Drop

Britain's Idea to Tax Financial Transactions

British leader Gordon Brown has suggested the G-20 countries place a tax on foreign exchange transactions to generate revenue, but he's finding little support for the idea

• London's Gathering Storm
• Despite Two Rebuffs, Kraft Is Still Sweet on Cadbury

Why Small Business Groups Oppose the Health Bills

When it comes to finding quality, affordable health insurance, few have it worse than small-business owners and their workers shopping for coverage on the open market

• What Health Care Reform Really Means
• The Senate's Turn: Can Democrats Close the Health Care Deal?

Comp. Programmers Accused of Aiding Madoff

Two former employees for Bernard Madoff programmed an old IBM computer to generate false records that concealed the money manager's massive Ponzi scheme and were given hush money when they threatened to stop lying

Nerd World

Appease Your Star Trek Relaunch Rage

'm here to inform you that J.J. Abrams' Star Trek will be available on DVD and Blu-ray next Tuesday. It's probably already on your calendar, so consider this a friendly reminder.

The Detroit Blog

Hustling Backwards

We've got legislators who want to balance the state budget on the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable in Michigan, but we don't think that maybe we could scrape together a few more pennies for the collective piggy bank?

The Curious Capitalist

The Small-Business Recession Isn't Over Yet

Small businesses didn't lay off as large a share of their workforce as big businesses did at the beginning of the year, so they're not seeing as big a profit rebound now.

It's Your Money

Debit Card Overdraft Reform Gets the O.K.

Credit card reform gives consumers better notice — prompting the necessity to actually read letters from your credit card company. It has not given us better rates.

Planning for Retirement

To battle the uncertainty, check out our five-part series on how to plan for retirement now.