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The office of Ashley Brown and T.J. Gray is littered with what could be relics from some eclectic sporting-goods museum.

Two years ago, when the economy was booming, Tessa Luu's furniture showroom in Los Angeles was running smoothly. But Luu was tired of the rising electric bills, salaries, benefits and rent that ate her profits. So she undertook a radical move to cut all the overhead: She said goodbye to her five employees and moved her business online, hiring outsourcers to run the operation.

Susan Roberts can design you a gorgeous living room or a charming kitchen, but don't call her an "interior designer" - she could be fined $500 and spend a year in jail. Why? Because the state of Connecticut hasn't licensed her to adopt that moniker.

Cities and towns can buy HUD's worst properties for a buck each and use grant money to rehab them -- or simply raze neighborhood eyesores.

Tough enough to protect the world but vulnerable in the area of personal finance, military personnel often fall prey to payday lenders. Here's how to avoid that trap.

As the Oracle of Omaha pours money into utilities, other investors can't help but wonder whether that's a smart move for them, too. Here's why Warren Buffett loves the sector.

If, like many of us, you've taken stinging losses, these still-great giant funds can help you rebuild. Yes, they're down -- most things are -- but their quality still shows.

At this time of year, we all like to spend a little extra. Instead, everyone's having to cut back. Yet that won't get the economy moving again. 

Fears mount about GM's viability. Retail sales look weaker after Circuit City's bankruptcy. Starbucks  earnings disappoint, but McDonald's shares jump on strong October sales. Goldman Sachs slides on worries its finances are deteriorating. AIG gets more government help.

The nation's second-biggest waste hauler appears on an MSN Money list of recommended stocks. Here are StockScouter's top investment ideas.

One week after announcing big store closures and job cuts, the company is entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- and hoping to survive the holiday shopping season. Meanwhile, in other news of the grim economy: DHL Express announces major cuts to operations.

Small companies account for more than 40% of the nation's payroll - and as the economy worsens, their staffing cuts reverberate through local communities.

Between regular tax refunds and this year's stimulus rebates, the government has gotten back $266 million in undeliverable checks. Some of that money may be yours.

The Republicans weren't willing to pursue major reforms that could have put America on firmer financial ground. If their successors don't either, they will meet the same fate in 4 years.