High tech boots spray painted witcha names
T-shirts airbrushed that read the same
Ludacris "Growing Pains"

Maybe sneakers aren't your thing. How about M&M's with your own message and color, custom handbags for the ladies, or create your own t-shirts or buy somebody's design.

Not that you can afford things, be unique by jumping on this bandwagon.

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.
George S. Patton

• US Government (federal)
• Municipal (local government)
• Corporate

"It is the greatest mathematical discovery of all time."
Albert Einstein

Einstein stumbled across the rule of 72 -- to figure out how long it takes your investment to double, divide the interest rate by 72. So if your savings account has a 4% interest rate, it will take 72/4 = 18 years to double.

All sounds useful, but the point is start saving now and get time on your side (maybe with a Roth IRA as we suggested in March).

The world is divided into people who do things and people who get the credit
Dwight Morrow

While the exact calculation is proprietary information here is a general breakdown to guide you in improving your score:
Payment history- 35%
Outstanding debt- 30%
How long you've had credit- 15%
Number of inquiries for your report- 10%
Types of credit you currently have- 10%

Other tips include keeping open old accounts, paying your bills on time, and reducing your balance. Focus on each of these things and your score will eventually get you one of these black beauties.

"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."
George Carlin

They don't call it the Golden State for nothing. California has half of the top ten ZIPs in on Forbes Most Expensive Zip Codes 2005. Cali also represents nearly two-thirds of the top 25. To get the most out of a real estate investment try to catch a market on the rise. California home prices grew nearly 100% between 1999 and 2000.

Check out the benefits of investing in real estate.

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving -- we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

If you are interested Google Labs has lots of cool tools it's working on like a picture organizer to help you keep track of all those great memories at your old place and a desktop search to keep you from losing any important relocation information on your computer.

To help you afford that new pad, get some Google stock. The price has more than doubled in less than a year.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
John D. Rockefeller

Get involved with Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). SRI takes a 3 pronged approach to changing the world for the better. Funds and stocks are screened for those aligned with the investor's values. Also, practicing shareholder advocacy; if you own the company, why not be a benevolent ruler. Finally, community investment, or taking an active role in investing to aid development.

Yes, you should get warm fuzzies from doing this, but don't just give it away. Historically SRI funds have outperformed than the market. All about the bennies.

"It's just, when you buy furniture, you tell yourself, that's it. That's the last sofa I'm gonna need. Whatever else happens, I've got that sofa problem handled."
Tyler Durden

And if you happen to be moving yourself, then you can post your own classifieds for free! It sure is a lot more convenient than garage sales and thrift stores!

All around the world, people use their native currencies to buy and sell goods and services. Sites like XE.net provide up-to-date exchange rates which keep you informed and facilitate global commerce.

However, when traveling abroad, don't be a rookie and convert your money at the airport -- where they often offer poor exchanges in addition to extra fees. The best approach is to use your credit card for purchases abroad. The credit card networks are able to convert your money on the fly at the most favorable exchange rate. In addition, there is no fee for this on-the-fly conversion. If your hesitant to use your credit card, then you can get the same benefits by using an ATM to withdraw the native currency. You'll still get the most attractive exchange rate, while avoiding extra "conversion fees" (although you may still be subject to the $1.50 for not using your own bank's ATMs)

With a Roth IRA you put after-tax money in now, and pay no taxes when you take it out. If you start investing at a young age you will benefit from the miracle of compound interest. Another reason to start now is that as soon as you start making more than $100K, you can't contribute. Don't let the man take your money.