I was a writer for 'New York' magazine. I had been to business school, but what did I know? Still, everybody from the receptionists on up to the editor would ask me what they should do with their money.

Still, most people don't have much money. So finding ways to come out a couple of thousand dollars ahead every year still matters.

Life insurance in America has traditionally been dominated by mutual insurers. Twelve of the fifteen largest life insurers are mutuals.

You want 21 percent risk free? Pay off your credit cards.

The larger the deductible you choose, the less insurance you are buying. Insurers want to sell insurance.

The best thing I have are 5 percent bonds from 1780, denominated from $1 to $20. As far as I can tell, they are obligations from the United States of America, so I should be able to walk down to the Federal Reserve and redeem the uncanceled ones. With 217 years of accrued interest, for a $20 bond, that's about $800,000.

Hay fever suffers tend to be above average in intelligence.