As the economy stumbles, even residents of affluent suburbs are feeling pinched by basic costs that never bothered them before

Family-oriented neighborhoods with the most affordable homes and the best schools may be hiding in places you’ve never heard of

Vad Yazvinski is leading the race with 10% returns in his hedged portfolios that mix long and short positions. The Amateur looks like he needs a new nickname.

Microsoft shares fall in after-hours trading after a strong stock market rally built on falling crude oil and a higher dollar. But the software giant says it won’t boost its Yahoo offer. Financial stocks rally. Apple shoots up. Ford surprises with a profit.

Cost cuts in North America and sales in Europe push the automaker to a first-quarter gain. Ford said it remains on track to return North American and global automotive operations to profitability in 2009.

Nintendo is rolling out a console attachment that lets users do yoga or push-ups and measure body mass. A company executive says the goal is expansion of the Wii’s market without alienating core gamers.

Those who say that the worst banking news is already out are more wishful than watchful. Take a look at what happens when businesses can’t borrow what they need.

Stocks may be pressured Thursday by disappointments in earnings from Amazon.com and Apple. Starbucks says a weak economy is forcing it to cut its profit guidance. Stocks end mostly higher, thanks to gains for Boeing and Microsoft. Oil closes at $118.30.

The world’s biggest biotech seed supplier appears on an MSN Money list of stocks poised for gains. Here are StockScouter’s top picks.

Philip Morris, one of the biggest names in cigarette history, went back on the market recently as a play on smoking’s overseas growth. The profit potential is huge for investors.