new math

Barring action by Congress, 2010 will be the first year in 35 years that seniors don't get a cost-of-living adjustment.

Benefits won't shrink, but it may feel like a cut because of rising medical costs.

Those with small blemishes on their record should benefit from the FICO 08 scoring change, while high-risk borrowers and those who "piggyback" are the likely losers.

As school districts face budget gaps, some teachers are offering to forgo raises, take pay cuts or dig into their own pockets.