How Bernie Madoff did it

Madoff is behind bars and isn’t talking. But a Fortune investigation uncovers secrets of his massive swindle.

Having a bad credit score will cost you a lot more than a higher interest rate for a few loans. It extends into many parts of your financial life. So many people fail to understand how important their credit is until they try to buy a home or take out a loan. People with bad credit usually know that they will have to pay higher interest rates. But they often don’t realize how deeply they will really be affected.

By: Heather Hajek

When you have your next sweet craving, you may want to try chewing on a stick of sugar free gum. It could not only suppress your craving, but may even boost your energy. Chewing gum has been proven to curb sweet cravings while energizing gum chewers and increasing their alertness into the afternoon or evening.

With the unemployment rate growing and tax receipts falling, these are the worst of times for many metro areas. National unemployment has soared in some U.S. cities. But some areas are faring better than others. These cities have the lowest unemployment rates.

20 U.S Cities With the Lowest Unemployment Rates

Average: 2.9

1. Fargo, N.D.: 2.1

2. Casper, Wyo.: 2.4

3. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La..: 2.5

3. Lafayette, La..: 2.5

3. Sioux Falls, S.D.: 2.5

6. Ames, Iowa: 2.6

6. Bismarck, N.D. 2.6

8. Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Fla.: 2.7

8. Idaho Falls, Idaho: 2.7

8. Iowa City, Iowa: 2.7

11. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.: 2.8

11. Charlottesville, Va.: 2.8

11. Harrisonburg, Va.: 2.8

11. Rapid City, SD: 2.8

11. Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Fla.: 2.8

11. St. George, Utah: 2.8

11. Winchester, Va.: 2.8

18. Billings, Mont. 2.9

18. Boise City-Nampa, Idaho: 2.9

20. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa: 3

20. Lake Charles, La.: 3

20. Logan, Utah: 3

20. Missoula, Mont.: 3

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California air regulators on Thursday adopted a first-in-the-nation mandate requiring low-carbon fuels, part of the state’s wider effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The California Air Resources Board voted 9-1 to approve the standards, which are expected to create a new market for alternative fuels and could serve as a template for a national policy that has been advocated by President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the rule would “reward innovation, expand consumer choice and encourage the private investment we need to transform our energy infrastructure.”