• When you're an Olympic class spender, it's time to call in the shopping mantras. — Self
• Leverage your skills to make money on your down time. These are four ideas for making money on a day off. — MainStreet
• Little Miss Fortune is burned out, overworked, and still in debt. She wants to know if she should pay off her debt and then start living? Or should she take a deep breath and slow down? — Glamour
• Is regifting children's gifts clever or tacky? — lilsugar

It never occurred to me that some companies would discriminate between hiring a candidate who is already employed, and one whose status is unemployed. Adding fuel to the frustration of many laid off workers, it appears that more hiring managers are stating a preference for the former.

It's discouraging to learn that some employers only have eyes for passive job seekers. Ryan Ross, a partner at an executive recruiting firm, explains, "If they’re employed in today’s economy, they have to be first string." OK, so I could see how this line of thinking might pertain to top-tier execs who command the highest salaries. But according to The Wall Street Journal, "the bias extends from front-line workers to senior manager." Ouch.

For tips on how to overcome this bias, read more