I came close to dying three times last week. Driving straight east on Baseline Road, I had a full green light. The oncoming car, stopped in the left-turn lane, suddenly jumped forward trying to turn left in front of me. I missed her by skinny inches.

Johnny Carson asked the financial guru, Andrew Tobias, “If you only have $1,000 to invest, what would be your best investment?” The answer made the audience laugh. They laughed!

It’s time to discover an old product that is inexpensive, versatile, and effective.

George Orwell, in his “1984” book, used the word “groupthink” to mean the making of sheep-like decisions as a group while discouraging individual thought. Well, here’s an antonym I call “Reverse-Think,” meaning to NOT think like the group.

"By saving frugally, we reap liberty, a golden harvest.” The Spartan King, Agesilaus, spoke those words 24 centuries ago, and they are still true today. Here are some financial goals to consider when choosing your New Year’s Resolutions.

Returning your Christmas gifts can be an OK experience or the bah-humbug misery of the season. Here are a few helpful tips. First, call the store to find out when lines might be shortest. Second, ask yourself, “Do I really need to return things at the crack of dawn on Dec. 26?”

Ask Santa for new tech stuff and, most importantly, ask for a techno-wizard elf to keep your stuff running.

Imagine the cool orchid lei around your neck, the ukuleles strumming the "Hukilau Song," and your hair frizzing up all carefree in the ocean breeze. You could be getting off the plane in Honolulu soon.

Check this deal. Take four people out to an evening movie; buy each a ticket, a small popcorn and a small drink for a total of $24. Where? Well, you are about to find out. The costly holidays are upon us, so let’s save some money on movies.

Bargain hunters alert! Santa, wearing a red-and-green sombrero, is flying in early this year riding on an Indian thunderbird. Sitting behind Santa, Kokopelli is holding on with his knees while he plays “Jungle Bells” on his flute.

Well, “Holiday Creep” is what I call the phenomenon of having holiday hype start earlier and earlier every year.

I can sniff out a sweet-smelling bargain the same way that Australian Aborigines can smell rain on the far side of the horizon. I was going to depend on this talent sooner than I thought.