As in 2002, the current election cycle has featured a steady stream of attack and insinuation from Republicans that Democrats in Congress have been soft on terrorism, despite a pretty solid record so far snagging terrorist suspects both here and abroad.

It’s unusual to be racked with guilt after looking at a cute-pet picture. But it can happen.

The problem isn’t just that we elect bad people. It’s that anyone with enough character to understand how toxic the political environment is has enough character to steer clear.

Lindsay Lohan has finally gotten around to complaining about an ad for the online brokerage famous for its talking baby ads which are designed to demonstrate just how easy it is to use their service. In the latest incarnation of these ads, the baby trader refers to a "milkaholic" baby girl named Lindsay.

Weekly financial Q&A, with items on automatic bill paying, accidental death insurance and emergency funds.

I packed the router in one of the carry-on suitcases and promptly forgot about it until we went through security. As the suitcase passed through the X-ray machine, an alarm went off and one of the security people grabbed the bag off the belt and approached me.            

Dear consumer: Welcome to your new, improved credit card bill. Even though our previous methods may have been designed to wring every possible cent out of our card members, we want to make sure you know that our top priority has always been you, the interest-paying customer.

Sleep deprivation creates a stress response that induces the release of cortisol, which has been found to increase abdominal fat. It also compromises memory (so now you’ve got a lot done, but you can’t remember what you did).

Is it just me, or are other parents out there doing the happy dance 24-7 now that their kids have flown the coop? Don’t misunderstand: I love my kids, and was sad to see them go. But then the minute passed, and I was itching to get on with things.

There’s some debate these days as to whether we’re “broken” as a nation. I have more faith in us than to believe that. We will “keep” this ingenious republic. It is as close to a foolproof system as has ever been created — obviously.

HD radio is off the endangered-species list but still takes patience. It’s worth the effort.

Knowing how to ask tech questions is the key to getting useful answers. It could be a query to a support line or a conversation over your backyard fence. The requirements are the same.

My cell phone rings, I answer. If I need to call somebody, I punch in some numbers. I either talk to the person or I have to leave a message. It’s a simple system of communication. In fact, it’s so simple it makes me obsolete.

Some people just don't believe government is capable of doing anything complicated, so much that they object to complication itself.

I have spring fever like nobody’s business. That’s too bad for me though, because this year there’s no traveling wiggle room. Beyond dreaming of our coveted summer trip to visit family in North Carolina, we are bound to late winter in Chicago. We’ll survive though, because as spring break week approaches and “everyone” is going south, we’re making plans for a staycation. We’ll get creative and put our frugal minds to the test, go out on the town when we can and find ways to transform our gray days.