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If you must borrow money, a home equity line of credit is among the least expensive ways to do so right now. Rates, which usually are variable, are as low as 1.90 percent, according to Bankrate.com. And in most cases, any interest homeowners pay is tax deductible, regardless of how the money is used. For these reasons, Money.com says, it might make sense to use your home equity to consolidate debt. Just don't let equity become a license to spend.
Herbal supplements have grown into a $4-billion-a-year industry, but studies only now are looking into their safety and effectiveness. BusinessWeek reports that results show most herbs tested are reasonably safe, though they often cause side effects such as headaches. But some researchers are disappointed with supplements' effectiveness and say the majority probably don't work.
Even in today's weak economy, some employers continue to lavish employees with dot-com era perks, from dry-cleaning services to pet insurance. Some employers "have no choice if they want to retain valuable workers," said John Challenger of outplacement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Money.com says companies known for spoiling employees will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent when the economy picks up.
More than a third of the 43-million Americans who move each year do so during summer. The insurance provider Chubb Group suggests these steps to minimize potential problems: Videotape your valuables instead of just taking photos; search for climate-controlled moving trucks; and pack jewelry and important documents yourself.
Americans no longer need to look to Russia for quality caviar. BusinessWeek says American fisheries are producing caviar to rival the best of the Caspian Sea, and it can cost much less. A creamy caviar from Walter's Caviar & Seafood, for example, sells for $13 an ounce and has attracted customers including Ted Turner and Jimmy Carter.