"How Not to Ruin Your Life" explains how the ordinary investor can protect and grow their net worth in an ever-changing world. Drawing on the fundamentals of finance and his trademark wit, Ben Stein offers easy-to-follow advice on index funds, mutual funds, annuities, real estate, and the secrets of a building a winning stock portfolio. "Common Sense" appears every other Monday, exclusively on Yahoo! Finance. http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/ Mon, 12 May 2008 04:04:14 -0800 Yahoo! http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/78/recessions-are-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/ Despite what you may have read, heard, and watched, the U.S. economy isn't on the brink of a second Great Depression. Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:26 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/76/a-year-of-living-dangerously/ Bearing up to the year's market turbulence? Take a few lessons from a self-described permabull who's in the same boat. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:00:15 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/75/want-to-survive-the-recession-work-it-out/ Even in the economy's darkest hour businesses need hardworking employees. Be one and you can whistle past the graveyard. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:00:07 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/74/go-figure-gloomy-market-numbers-need-scrutiny/ The S and P 500's dismal 10-year performance is depressing news, but the truth lies in how you crunch the numbers. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:00:30 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/73/bearing-the-bad-news/ This past week has been a perfect storm of rotten financial news, but a stimulative Fed will fend off the worst. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:06:49 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/72/irrational-times-call-for-rational-measures/ Even unreasonable fears can have real consequences, including spurring a serious recession. Time for a taste of reason. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:00:56 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/71/homeowners-and-investors-time-to-get-real/ Real estate continues to collapse and the stock market faces further peril. Even permabulls need to come to their senses. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:00:00 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/70/take-the-bait-ruin-your-investing-life/ Nothing good happens when investors lose focus in a topsy-turvy market and give in to self-serving doom and gloom. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/69/no-pain-no-gain/ The past few months have been agonizing for investors, but the recent market tumult doesn't have to add up to nothing. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0800 Ben Stein http://au.blogs.yahoo.com/yourlife/68/rethinking-the-recession/ It's too early to tell whether we're in a recession, but the signs are there. Still, it may not be as bad as you think. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:00:54 -0800 Ben Stein