BusinessWeek Online - The news from the U.S. Census Bureau that housing starts actually increased in April was surprising, to say the least. After all, just one day earlier the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Index, which measures builder confidence, fell three points to 30, matching the 15-year low set last September. And just last week luxury-home builder Toll Brothers said its quarterly earnings would come in lower than expected due in part to tighter lending standards (see BusinessWeek.com, 5/9/07, "Housing's Woes Hit Toll Brothers").

When you need a financial planner
Question: How do I find and evaluate a good financial planner? I have always done my own savings and goal setting, but I am not a professional. I’ve worked hard for my money and have always been hesitant to entrust it to someone else. - Robert, Thomaston, Connecticut

As a teenager, Lori Smith decided she would someday adopt children. “I promised myself that I would help kids who needed homes,” says Lori, now 41 and a mom to three little Smiths - two of whom she and husband Steve, 40, adopted from China. “What I didn’t know was that I should have started saving back then.”

Money 101: All 23 lessons

The man who explained it all
Once you win a Nobel for explaining the fundamental principles that drive the financial markets, there are two things left for you.

Fremont shares soar on stake, loan unit sales (Reuters)

Reuters - California savings & loan Fremont General Corp. is expected to survive its subprime mortgage woes after striking two deals on Tuesday, sending its shares soaring, but the bank will emerge a smaller company under new management.

Obama backs placing student loans under government (Reuters)
Reuters - Sen. Barack Obama, a U.S. presidential candidate, said on Tuesday he backs centralizing federal loans for college students under the government and ending federally guaranteed bank loans for them.

Pam and Mark Elmore weren’t in the market for a home last summer. But when the Bend, Ore. couple happened to stop by a newly built house with a 1,000-square-foot patio, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen - fridge and range included -and a fire pit, they immediately realized they had to have it.

US housing starts show surprise gain, but permits weak (AFP)

AFP - US new home construction showed a surprise rebound in April, rising 2.5 percent, according to government data released Wednesday that defied predictions of a deeper slide in the real estate market.

When it comes to finances, what is and what isn’t okay in America. To find out, Money Magazine surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide.

What’s next for real estate
Reports on 380 home markets across the country. See latest prices, forecasts, and other key stats.

Take your home outside
Pam and Mark Elmore weren’t in the market for a home last summer. But when the Bend, Ore. couple happened to stop by a newly built house with a 1,000-square-foot patio, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen - fridge and range included -and a fire pit, they immediately realized they had to have it.

Donna Rosato helps a reader whose account got stuck in limbo.

Intuit profit up, announces stock buyback (Reuters)

Reuters - Intuit Inc. posted higher quarterly profit on Thursday, topping Wall Street forecasts, on strong demand for its TurboTax and QuickBooks software, sending shares up nearly 6 percent.

5 portfolio time bombs
These common mistakes could send your retirement savings up in smoke. Find a better way to divvy up your investment pie.

8 key questions answered, 5 retirement strategies and more from the March issue. Full table of contents. More Info…

Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications fell for the first time in four weeks, weighed down by sagging demand for home purchase loans, an industry group said on Wednesday. More Info…

AFP - US new home construction showed a surprise rebound in April, rising 2.5 percent, according to government data released Wednesday that defied predictions of a deeper slide in the real estate market.

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Reports on 380 home markets across the country. See latest prices, forecasts, and other key stats. More Info…

AP - The House debated legislation Thursday that would tighten federal oversight of the two largest buyers and guarantors of home mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More Info…

AFP - US new home construction showed a surprise rebound in April, rising 2.5 percent, according to government data released Wednesday that defied predictions of a deeper slide in the real estate market.

More Info…

Pam and Mark Elmore weren’t in the market for a home last summer. But when the Bend, Ore. couple happened to stop by a newly built house with a 1,000-square-foot patio, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen - fridge and range included -and a fire pit, they immediately realized they had to have it. More Info…

The Ultimate Dream: How to achieve financial freedom long before 65. Plus: Best Jobs in America. Full table of contents for the April issue. More Info…

AP - The House debated legislation Thursday that would tighten federal oversight of the two largest buyers and guarantors of home mortgages, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More Info…

Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Money may not grow on trees but for a while it seemed to grow on houses, and Colleen Moorhead knew exactly where to turn when she needed to harvest some cash.

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Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Money may not grow on trees but for a while it seemed to grow on houses, and Colleen Moorhead knew exactly where to turn when she needed to harvest some cash.

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Second annual edition…Money Magazine and Salary.com sought out the best jobs for anyone ready for a new challenge.

Keeping tabs on older parents
When Allison Gage gave birth to her first child three years ago in Minneapolis, it should have been a joyful moment. Instead, she was worried sick about her elderly parents, Baldwin and Linda Yeung. The couple live 2,000 miles away in Sonoma, Calif. and hadn’t returned any of her phone calls.

Fighting corporate card fees
Donna Rosato helps a reader whose account got stuck in limbo.

Further slip in US housing demand (FT.com)
FT.com - Housing demand in the US took a "further step down" in the first quarter this year, the Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said on Thursday, even as he played down the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis on housing and growth overall.

30-year mortgage rates jump to new high (AP)

AP - Rates on 30-year mortgages jumped to the highest level in five weeks as investors expressed disappointment that the Federal Reserve continues to remain worried about inflation threats.

Take your home outside
Pam and Mark Elmore weren’t in the market for a home last summer. But when the Bend, Ore. couple happened to stop by a newly built house with a 1,000-square-foot patio, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen - fridge and range included -and a fire pit, they immediately realized they had to have it.

Reports on 380 home markets across the country. See latest prices, forecasts, and other key stats.

Invest to win 2007
Money Magazine’s new list of best mutual funds. Plus: 5 perfect money makeovers.

Best places to live
Americans are flocking to places that offer big-city opportunities and amenities — with a lot more green space and a lot less stress. See the top 10 Great American Towns.

Can you retire young?