Double Digit Home Price Drops Coming
Over the next few years, more than three-quarters of the nation's housing markets will suffer some decline in home prices. Many will experience double-digit hits in a forecast that has worsened considerably in recent months. According to an analysis conducted by Moody's Economy.com, declines will exceed 10 percent in 86 of the 379 largest housing markets. And 290 of the cities will experience price drops of 1 percent or more. Among the largest areas predicted to see double digit drops are Washington DC, Phoenix, Detroit, Las Vegas, Orlando, Hartford, San Diego and Los Angeles.
Double digit home price drops coming - Sep. 19, 2007
Also: 14 Experts Offer Ways to Solve the Housing Mess


Live Debt-Free
For many of us it's time for two aspirin, a splash of cold water and a new attitude toward personal finance. The new motto: The less debt you have, the happier -- and wealthier -- you'll be. And while even the caviar and Cristal crowd seldom live their whole lives without borrowing, keeping your debt load as light and as cheap as possible is the key to a more secure future and to guilt-free spending on the things you need and want. If becoming debt-free can seem like a pipe dream, it's one that most of us share: A recent survey by the financial-services company LendingTree shows that 74% of Americans envision themselves debt-free, excluding mortgages, at some point in their lives, but only half said they have a plan for how to get there. SmartMoney shares the secrets for making that dream a reality.
SmartMoney Magazine Cover Story


Sneak Peek at 2008 Tax Savings
Kiplinger has done the number crunching with just-released inflation figures to give you next year's new tax brackets and the lowdown on your favorite tax breaks.
http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/09/taxsavings.html


Hanging Up on Phone Bills
Want a free phone line? Make rooma for Ooma. Monthly telephone bills have long been the way of the world. A promising Palo Alto, Calif., start-up called Ooma hopes to make them a thing of the past. Ooma turns the traditional phone model on its ear. You shell out $399 ($599 starting in 2008) for a slick gray-and-white box that is smaller than a typical answering machine. This Ooma Hub connects to your high-speed broadband Internet service and whatever telephone handset you have lying around. From then on, all local and long-distance calls in the USA made through that phone are free. Ooma launched over the summer as an invitation-only beta. Just this week, it opened up to all comers.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2007-09-19-ooma_N.htm





Teaching Old Phones New Tricks
Phone companies are trying to stop consumers from ditching landlines altogether by reinventing home phones to give them some of the features that are popular on mobile devices. These features include address books and text messaging. And equipment makers' latest home and office phones include a range of new features like in-home video baby monitoring, instant messaging, and access to email and the Web.
Companies Try to Teach Old Phones New Tricks


The Accidental Thief
Amid mounting theft and other merchandise loss in recent years, retailers face a daily battle against scam artists. But let the customer beware: With security on high alert, even law-abiding shoppers can fall under suspicion.
The Accidental Thief - WSJ.com
Also: Tips on How to Avoid Getting In a Jam While Shopping


TV Network Know-It-Alls
From animal trainers to particle physicists, meet the real-life experts behind some of the fall's hottest new shows.
TV's Network Know-It-Alls - Forbes.com Photo Gallery of Experts