When the rubber meets the snow, some drivers invest in winter tires. But is it necessary?

Each January, New Year's resolutions are made. Some are lasting and life-changing -- and others are never implemented. Today, I'd like to offer you the opportunity to take a fresh look at your entire financial situation and evaluate what happened in 2008 and what you'd like to see happen in 2009.

Weekly business rail, with tips on financial plans, a look at the most expensive fictional homes and more.

Ken Griffin, manager of Hanover Boot, says boot technology has caught up with sneaker technology as far as comfort and endurance.

In the midst of the calls for bailing out every industry that is experiencing the very natural results of an economic experiment planned and carried out, not so much by right-wing dullards as by dishonorable thieves of every political variety, I got to thinking about what we think of as “business” and what we used to think of as “business.”

In addition to being a volunteer and historical reenactor, Suzy Beggin Craft is also a shepherdess. She has kept sheep for approximately eight years.

Weekly auto rail, with a look at the Volvo S60 Concept, bad-weather driving tips and more.
 

Now that the rush for Christmas gifts is done, stores are preparing for a whole new slew of traffic from holiday returns.

Want to hold down the cost of owning and operating your car? You might think of moving Sioux Falls, S.D.

Weekly business rail, with credit-managing tips, a look at the richest fictional characters and more.

A federal judge has initially rejected a request from GateHouse Media New England for a temporary order to immediately prevent The Boston Globe's  community Web sites from reproducing stories from GateHouse-owned newspapers and Web sites. A trial is now scheduled to begin on Jan. 5. 
 

In a lawsuit filed in federal court, GateHouse Media claims that The New York Times Co.’s new community Web sites on boston.com violate copyright and trademark laws by lifting content from GateHouse Web sites.

Whom to tip during the holidays? A thoughtful warming of the palm may ensure good service throughout the new year. But in this winter of our financial discontent, dare we cut back?

The holidays are right around the corner, and this may be your last chance to buy one of the flat-screen televisions you've been ogling and call it a gift from Santa.