Education/Careers

Can you afford to stay home after the birth of your child? In an attempt to answer this question, many folks use too simple an equation -- typically looking at a rundown of major bills, adding the cost of child care, and then comparing the expenses to their income. The trouble with this calculation is that it fails to do a couple of important things, such as (1) factoring in the true cost of working and (2) acknowledging many of the "hidden" financial benefits of employment.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A University of Michigan study finds you really can work things out with your college dorm roommates if you try.

Cambridge, England -- A British study suggests a Japanese government-supported trend for arising early each day might be symptomatic of a revival of nationalism.

Washington -- A lawyer who describes himself as a "guy's rights" advocate has filed a lawsuit over the women's studies program at Columbia University in New York

Washington -- The U.S. space agency and Walt Disney Studios have signed an agreement to promote science and technology to schoolchildren.

Everyone knows the saying, "It takes money to make money." But how much does it take? It's easy to assume it takes, well, more than we have. Believe it or not, though, the headlines you occasionally come across that say "Minimum-Wage Worker Retires Millionaire" are true.

Dear recent (or not-so-recent) graduate,

Please move out.

Mom and Dad were right a lot of the time: Scratching only makes it worse; high school's not the end of the world; and that style (whatever "that style" was in your day) isn't flattering, even if all the popular girls are wearing it.

Austin, Texas -- The University of Texas at Austin says it will join with Pakistan's Aga Khan University in science research collaborations and student exchanges.

America's younger generations face a bevy of problems, including mounting debt, impending problems with Social Security and Medicare, and the prospects of an economy that no longer promises advancement over their parents' standards of living. In response, many 25- to 40-year-olds no longer expect to be able to stop working -- no matter how old they get.

Seoul -- The South Korean National Statistical office reported Friday that South Koreans spend an average of 7 percent of their income on their children's education.

Salt Lake City -- A U.S. report said first-born children may attain more education and make more money because they get more parental attention.

Philadelphia -- The American Library Association has announced Laura Amy Schlitz's "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!" as the winner of its prestigious John Newbery Medal.

With college tuition growing faster than holiday waistlines, there's one year-end deadline you don't want to miss. Sign up and contribute to a 529 college savings plan in 2007 before you pop the New Year's Eve bubbly.