AP - The Vanguard Group is well-known for its index funds, which lure bargain hunters with low expenses, but the firm also offers a lineup of attractively priced active funds, all managed by carefully selected subadvisers.

The Motley Fool - Do you have a bundle of short-term savings and you're not sure where to deploy all of it so you can get the biggest bang for your buck? Low interest rates over the past few years haven't made things easy. But now, rates are on the rise. Homebuyers, mortgage refinancers, and other borrowers may not be thrilled about that, but for savers, it's welcome news, especially if you like certificates of deposit.

Reuters - Hey, I'm no Grinch. I think holidays -- especially those that pull family and friends together in the dark of winter -- should be brightly lit, well-lubricated and a bit over the top.

AP - With the housing market cooling and loan demand shrinking, banks and other lenders are turning to nontraditional and sometimes riskier mortgages to bring in more business and make up their lost revenue.

AP - As soon as Lorie Limbaugh heard about a 1.25 percent interest rate on a mortgage loan, she figured it was too good to be true.

AP - Mortgage rates around the country, which have been trending upward, dropped this week, offering a dose of good news for prospective home buyers.

AP - Shares of Eastman Kodak Co. jumped more than 8 percent Wednesday, a day after the photography-equipment maker reached an income tax-refund settlement with the Internal Revenue Service that will boost its fourth-quarter earnings.