Mercedes-Benz’s GL-class and R-class SUVs are the top-ranked choices in a Consumer Reports rating of five top luxury SUVs.

Handle with care: Insecure bosses
Everybody’s got their insecurities. But some folks are ruled by theirs. When your boss is one of them, his insecurities will rule your day … and your career prospects.

A Marginally Less-Secure World
North Korea’s tests notwithstanding, some emerging markets are still a good bet.

Holding Firm on Web Stocks
The Internet’s fair-weather friends have flown. But I’m staying put.

Homing In
The cooling real estate sector presents some attractive investment opportunities.

We all know the health-care system is a $2 trillion dinosaur of the way-old economy. So where’s the opportunity in that? Everywhere.

Fall Fashion
The contrarian in me thinks retail stocks may be ready for a shopping spree.

Flying in style: best biz-class seats
Airlines are fighting to attract business-class travelers. Here’s a look at how the newest offerings from six popular airlines stack up.

Handle with care: Insecure bosses
Everybody’s got their insecurities. But some folks are ruled by theirs. When your boss is one of them, his insecurities will rule your day … and your career prospects.

QUESTION: I’m the drama teacher at a small private day school. The school relies heavily on the contributions of parents, and one of our wealthiest donors has a daughter who desperately wants to play Maria in the up-coming production of “West Side Story.”

Playing Energy’s Top
The long bull market for energy looks to be over. But there are still opportunities.

Income for life? Lump sum? A better option
My husband is 45 and has worked for the same company for 27 years. He has been given a separation package that requires him to make complicated retirement decisions, the main one being whether he should take his company pension in monthly payments for life or as a lump sum. What should he do? Help!!! – Val, Tonawanda, New York

Alternative-energy providers supply power at cheaper rates.

Late-start, self-employed – what’s the retirement plan?
I’m a 50-year-old self-employed man with no children who makes about $60,000 a year after taxes and has $20,000 in an IRA, $100,000 in home equity and $30,000 in debts. What is the fastest way for me build up my retirement fund? – Kevin B., Albany, New York

Hiring outlook to slow in coming months
Less hiring managers predict they’ll be taking on new employees in the fourth quarter, and more say they’ll be reducing the number of workers on staff, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.com.

When the Dow finally closes at a new high, I’ll celebrate by selling.

Office Spies
From fake employees to hidden cameras, your employer is watching you.

A Marginally Less-Secure World
North Korea’s tests notwithstanding, some emerging markets are still a good bet.

Best B&Bs for leaf-peeping
Leaf peepers, start your engines. As the sugar maple, elm, oak, and birch transform themselves into stark, raving beauties, millions of tourists are descending upon the Northeast to watch the changing hues.

Mortgage rates have been trending down, but that won’t do much to benefit those who signed up for low-teaser-rate adjustable-rate mortgages in the past few years.

Powerful. Quiet. Best leaf blowers
Does any lawn-care implement inspire more controversy and vitriol than the leaf blower?

Rethinking Your Finances
Experts predicted that money habits would change after 9/11. But did they really?

When an adviser pitches universal life
My husband and I are in our 30s and have retirement plans through our employers. We’ve been working with an insurance agent who wants my husband to forego funding his 401(k) plan, which doesn’t offer company matching funds, and instead invest for retirement through a universal life policy.

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There are many options for a debtor to consolidate his debts in this day and age. The most common ones you have heard or seen so far are probably those commercials on late night television – from debt consolidation companies that promise to help you fight and win over your debts.

There are also many government aid programs that seek to help debtors get out of debts. But these services usually require that you fulfill certain requirements and a minimum amount of debts before you are applicable to join their programs.

The Fed has never resumed rate hikes after pausing. Prepare your portfolio accordingly.

Bankruptcy law not as bad as predicted
When the new bankruptcy reform law went into effect a year ago, there was no shortage of nightmare scenarios.

Time to Dump Your AmEx Card?
The company just announced changes to its charge cards and rewards program.

Powerful. Quiet. Best leaf blowers
Does any lawn-care implement inspire more controversy and vitriol than the leaf blower?

The Perils of Public Windfalls
Receive a lump sum and expect to be harassed by folks wanting some of your prize.

Companies are getting crushed when they miss numbers. That’s making me nervous.

The Demise of Mail-In Rebates
Major retailers like Dell are halting their programs. Is it time to cheer or cry?

Powerful. Quiet. Best leaf blowers
Does any lawn-care implement inspire more controversy and vitriol than the leaf blower?

Time to Dump Your AmEx Card?
The company just announced changes to its charge cards and rewards program.

Steep default rates are the credit-card industry’s dirty little secret.