SmartMoney - The Wall Street Journal

Should you wait to buy that new car?

News of stronger U.S. sales for General Motors may cheer investors, but analysts said the news also means car buyers searching for great deals might want to wait.

5 Sectors Slowing Job Growth

5 Ways the Government May Friend Facebook

Pampering Yourself Is Newly Back in Fashion

If American consumers seem to be carrying less stress in their shoulders, it could be because they're buying more back rubs and beauty treatments.

10 Things; 10 Things Your Hairdresser Won't Say; What customers need to know to get their fair shear at the salon.

1. "Money grows on you." Hairdressing is often described as "recession-proof" because it is one of the last purchases consumers give up during tough economic times. People will wear old clothes but find it difficult to skimp on a good ...

E-Book Authors May Set Price of Prose

5 Ways Google Earns Money Off You

An Ominous Sign for Earnings Season?

4 Healthy Fast-Food Failures

Can Jeremy Lin Sell Volvos?

Real-Time Advice; 5 of the Costliest Tweets Ever; Real-Time Advice: Twitter gets credit for bringing about change. But for some, it also costs hunks of it.

Sticks and stones may break bones, but 140 characters can do a whole lot more damage. While Twitter can be a powerful social networking and marketing tool, hasty posts on site sometimes get pretty expensive. Misfired tweets have ended ...

Real-Time Advice; 5 of the Most Profitable Tweets Ever; Real-Time Advice: Twitter users aren't waiting for the social media site's IPO to make a killing.

Twitter famously posed the question: "What are you doing now?" For an increasing number of its users, the answer is: "Earning big bucks."

Real-Time Advice; 4 Reasons to Pass On the New iPad; Real Time Advice: Some experts say consumers poring over the extras of the new gadget might be better off saving their cash.

The new iPad may be sharper and faster (if a bit fatter) than previous models, but is it worth spending another $500? Apple enthusiasts point out the latest tablet, which CEO Tim Cook unveiled today in San Francisco, offers twice the screen ...

Real-Time Advice; 5 Retail Price-Tag Tricks; Real-Time Advice: J.C. Penney's new policy is just one example of how retailers experiment with price-tag psychology.

This week, J.C. Penney showcased its new pricing policy with commercials starring Ellen DeGeneres during the Academy Awards. The discount store -- which only recently sold sweatshirts aimed at young girls bearing the slogan "I'm ...

Real-Time Advice; 4 Ways Leap Years Save You Money; Real-Time Advice: Feb. 29 comes around once every four years -- along with some novel ways to save cash.

A leap year isn't just an astronomical sore thumb. It's also an opportunity to snag some deals, chart the financial year ahead to avoid making costly mistakes and party on borrowed time.

4 Ways to Be Invisible Online; In light of Google's latest user-tracking snafu, a guide to leaving behind fewer digital breadcrumbs and fingerprints.

Online, everyone's an open book -- and an open wallet. Users increasingly wear their hearts on their screens, and security experts say sites are growing more adept at tracking their every move.

10 Things the Oscars Won't Say; Our backstage pass to Hollywood's biggest night of the year.

1. "Studios are desperate to boost February ticket sales ..." The 84th Academy Awards Ceremony will bring downtown Los Angeles to a standstill this weekend, as hundreds of limousines carrying some of the most famous -- and valuable ...

Real-Time Advice; 4 Upsides to Higher Gas Prices; Real-Time Advice: As the political debate on energy prices heats up, experts say there may be some hidden benefits.

When President Obama tackles American angst over rising gas prices Thursday with a speech in Florida, here's one thing he didn't say: pain at the pump can be good.

Real-Time Advice; Austerity Tourism: Greek Travel Deals; The country's ongoing political and economic troubles may be a boon to tourists.

Athenians rioted in the streets following Greece's passage of fiscal austerity measures on Sunday. But for tourists who aren't put off by the turmoil there, experts say now may be the time to visit.

5 Ways to Avoid an IRS Audit; Real-Time Advice: As the U.S. cracks down on tax dodgers, some tips for keeping the taxman away.

The Treasury Department's aggressive crackdown on offshore tax dodging announced Wednesday is sure to heighten many people's fears of drawing IRS ire, say tax experts -- even among those who don't stash millions abroad.

5 Hot Sectors for Job Seekers; Real-Time Advice: New data on Friday morning shows unemployment is falling. But which sectors are driving the increase?

News that the unemployment rate fell for the fifth consecutive month pushed the Dow past its highest point in 2011 today--and raised hopes of reaching the 13,000 mark. If it gets there, analyst say, a handful of job sectors driving ...

Why Facebook's Millionaires May Never Be Happy; A new books says financial windfalls don't necessarily make your life better.

How IPO Cash May Rewrite Facebook; Real-Time Advice: Experts say the social networking giant will be pushed to make improvements for both users and advertisers.

5 Ways to (Legally) Track People; Real-Time Advice: A Supreme Court decision Monday limits the power of police to use GPS tracking. But there are still ways for civilians to keep tabs on family and friends.

The Supreme Court ruled today that police officers need a warrant to track suspects with a GPS device, but experts say civilians still have a rich resource of spy tools at their fingertips.

10 Things Pollsters Won't Tell You; Why you should think twice about those survey results this election season.

1."We'll keep you home on Election Day." Remember when Hillary Clinton was racing ahead in the polls during the Democratic Primary of 2008? Political analysts say that early lead was good news for one man: President Barack ...

Will Spinoff Mean a Better, Cheaper Nook? Real-Time Advice: Why consumers may be the chief beneficiaries of Barnes & Noble's planned spinoff of its digital books business.

Keep It or Return It: Luxury Gifts; Deal of the Day: A guide to which of this year's hottest luxury items are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.

Many gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...

Keep It or Return It: Toys; A guide to which of this year's hottest toys are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.

Many gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...

Keep It or Return It: Gadgets; A guide to which of this year's hottest gifts are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.

Many gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...

Do App Gatekeepers Hurt Users?

The '12 Days of Xmas,' Itemized; The cost of all the items from that famous Yuletide number have hit a new milestone -- $100K. Here's the breakdown.

Inflation doesn't stop for true love. Or even one measly partridge, according to a new survey of the list of goodies named in the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas." For the first time, the cost for the items on that list tops ...

10 Things Broadway Won't Tell You; High prices, creative advertising and second-rate acts lurk on the Great White Way.

1. "Don't believe our rave reviews." Here's what the critics are saying about some Broadway marketing departments: "Out of context!" and "Stretching the Truth!" The reviews by veteran theater critics ...

10 Things the SEC Won't Tell You; Wall Street's watchdog isn't as fierce as you might think.

1. "We will never live up to your expectations." "Occupy Wall Street" protestors aren't livid with just the financial industry. They're also mad at the people who were supposed to be policing that sector. On ...

Sneaky Price Hikes in Aisle 2

Applemania: Fans Rush to Stores; Pay Dirt: The death of Steve Jobs is leading to a surge in Apple sales. Will it last?

Kindle Fire Clouds Better Bargains; The new Amazon tablet may be a formidable foe for the iPad, but it's the new e-readers that are the real deal.

PIIGS Lifeline Rallies Stocks -- For Now; The move to pump dollars into struggling European banks could provide more relief for investors.

Headaches Over Homeowners Insurance Loom for Irene Victims

Hurricane Irene isn't yet behind us. Up next: some 100,000 insurance claims covering as much as $4 billion in damages. But as homeowners try to rebuild and recover, they may find a longer, more complicated—and more costly—claims ...

The New Fall Shopping Guide; Retailers' summer optimism makes for better sales after consumer confidence plunged.

Recent market volatility and an uncertain economic outlook may be enough to make shoppers renew recession-era vows of frugality. They may get some help from a surprising place -- retailers once again struggling to drum up sales.

10 Things Economists Won't Tell You; Why their forecasts should be taken with a shaker of salt.

1. "We won't predict the next crisis..." In recent turbulent weeks, investors have once again turned to economists to help them set their course. But an Ouija board may serve them just as well. From Federal Reserve chairman ...

Finding That Last-Minute Getaway; This summer, renting a vacation home has gotten a lot easier -- and cheaper.

With just a few weeks left before Labor Day, last-minute travelers are finding deals in an unusual place: vacation rentals. Finding an affordable four-bedroom on the beach -- or in the mountains -- is no longer as daunting as it was a year ...

A Private Island (Almost) Within Reach; A private island for $100,000? It is possible.

NFL Fans: Don't Blitz the Box Office -- Yet; Ticket prices have soared since the lockout ended, but deals will get better as the season wears on.

Now that the NFL lockout is over, fans can go ahead and rush the box office for tickets. But those who can wait may score the best deals. Since the owners and the players ended their stalemate on Monday, NFL ticket prices have soared on ...

Major League Discounts On Baseball Tickets; This summer, the cheap seats are even cheaper.

Baseball fans have long griped about the cost of a day at the ballpark, but this season, it's easier than ever to get a discount -- even from the teams themselves.

Privacy, Shmivacy: Sites Relax Policies Again; Groupon relaxed its privacy policy this weekend -- a move experts say is increasingly common and troubling

Some 83 million people have signed up to get daily deals from website Groupon, but this weekend, they got something else: A notification that the site was relaxing its privacy policy, a move experts say is becoming all too common -- and ...

The Best Summer Apps; From saving money on gas to preventing sunburn -- five apps to enhance your summer.

Crowded campgrounds, sunburns, gas prices that are still too high -- for all its delights, summer vacations are full of hassles that can extend from the merely annoying to the truly expensive. This summer, come prepared: The right app can ...

How to Beat Higher Theme Park Prices; This summer's price hikes aren't Mickey Mouse. How to score a deal.

Just in time for summer: Big theme parks and resorts are jacking up their ticket prices. For parents, this means finding new ways to whisk the kids away without breaking the bank.

Out: Toasters. In: Giving to Charity; Why charitable donations are all the rage this wedding season.

When Prince William and Kate Middleton got married in March, the royal couple asked that their wedding guests donate to charity instead of giving them presents. Their well-wishers got the message: In the eight weeks since the wedding, the ...

Finally, a Break for Savers; Forget money market funds and CDs. The real yields are in checking accounts.

With yields on Treasurys at all-time lows and cash paying next to zero, some yield hunters are finding solace in a surprising place -- their checking accounts.

5 Sites for Hot Stock Tips; A federal appeals court ruling opens the door for web sites to publish or excerpt reports straight from the banks. Here's where to look.

Lee Jackson's go-to source for the latest stock picks and market research isn't a pricey Bloomberg terminal or a cable TV stock show. Instead, the 54-year head trader of a family firm in Houston, Texas, first turns each morning to ...

One Way to Cut Your Medical Bills By 50%; Daily deal sites are increasingly offering medical, dental and other care for cheap. But are cut-rate procedures a good idea?

Daily deal sites, home of the half-off, limited-time-only, pre-paid coupon craze, are no longer content to sell low-cost dinners and dye jobs. Now on the discount table: laser eye surgery, dental checkups, and other medical services.

Dad, I Love You $o Much; Gadgets are pushing Father's Day spending to an all-time high. But deal-seeking children have other options.

This Father's Day, ties are out, iPads are in. As gadgets and electronics replace golf shirts and cologne, spending on dad is poised to hit an all-time high.

10 Things Your Neighbors Won't Tell You; The people living next door aren't who you think they are.

1. "Complaining will cost you dearly." When Richard Laermer and his partner moved into a Manhattan co-op, his next door neighbor invited them over to dinner. "We had a lovely wine-infused time," recalls Laermer, a PR ...

Ireland Votes 'Yes' to Bailout

DUBLIN—Irish lawmakers Wednesday voted to accept €67.5 billion ($90.4 billion) in loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund as part of an €85 billion package to shore up Ireland's stricken banks and public finances.

Ireland's Cowen Resists Calls for Resignation

DUBLIN—Ireland's Fianna Fail-led coalition government is resisting calls for the prime minister to resign immediately and instead is calling on lawmakers from across the political spectrum to put the nation's interests first and ...

Hardy Irish Souls Tiptoe Into Nation's Ghost Estates

Ireland's ghost estates are showing signs of life. These estates—housing developments built on speculation but left unfinished or partially occupied when the housing bubble burst in 2007—are an enduring symbol of Ireland's ...