Beijing: Retiring travel expense “catches up with final-run” vehicle owner to push to explode refund hall (figure)

　　The refund wrap-up work delays until today 17:00

　　Yesterday, before the city Nancheng road maintenance cost drafted checks in the charge center hall each window, to fill rushes for last bus the refund vehicle owner. Reporter Wu Dishe

　　Yesterday (on 20th) 17:5 pm, the day the dusk, the grass bridge nearby Beijing Nancheng road maintenance cost had drafted slightly checks the refund place wrong side of the door to be crowded, in the work hall the crowd which lines up to wait winds the curve, the dense and numerous minute rectifying class ranks tail, the surroundings vehicles are not watertight, handles the service the vehicle owner only looked for the berth to spend for 40 minutes.

　　According to the original plan, this city road maintenance cost drafted checks the department to and limits the departure dates to stop trips between Olympic Games the vehicles to return some road maintenance costs the work should cut off yesterday completely. However because catches up final-run the refund vehicle owner is numerous, the refund place besides works overtime at the same night, refunds will postpone until the work to today 17:00.

　　Three hall nearly thousand people line up

　　Yesterday in the afternoon, the reporter arrived at a grass bridge nearby road maintenance cost drafts checks the refund place to discover that compared with last Friday, in the spacious hall bobbed, even some 2 refunds’ troops have arranged to the wrong side of the door, open-air waited the people often stamped the feet to rub hands, was reminding mutually whether brought neat the credential. Although three work hall 10 windows completely opened, a longest team arranged 80-90 people, the scene rough estimate had nearly thousand people.

　　In the afternoon starts the ` blowout’.A scene security described when handles refund the population has used this kind of glossary, many vehicle owners had received the short note prompt yesterday, knew that will return the road maintenance cost to finish, therefore outside today’s personality many, particularly, the human all of a sudden will be from now on many at noon.

　　The blurry vehicle owner arranges in vain for 3 hours

　　, Already to account and anything, money in Cary ……In handling the refund window observed for a half hour, the reporter had discovered that approximately after having 30% vehicle owners have arranged several hours team, in vain discovered that originally the road maintenance cost already returned. Vehicle owner Miss Wang is, she said: I think that needs to refund artificially, therefore passing through the gate directly has lined up, from the start has not thought must look up first whether arrives at the account, oh, has wasted in vain for more than 3 hours.

　　The staff who answers the vehicle owner question at the scene suggested that the vehicle owner goes to the commerce bank checkup first whether has received the road maintenance cost which returns, to refund lining up, this already do not waste individual time also to lengthen other to need directly to refund the waiting time of vehicle owner artificially.

　　The extension informs to paste in the afternoon

　　Tomorrow may also handle again, today the person who lines up to wait were too many, you line up at least to wait till now 10:00 pm, will come …… 16:30 pm tomorrow again, is apart from the refund normal rush hour also to have a half hour, the staff starts the crowd which persuaded lining up to wait next day again. Tomorrow will postpone for one day the bulletin also the management hall window posts outside on.

　　Although time delay on first, but, many vehicle owners are not willing to depart as before slowly. 18:00 pm, fill outside besides the hall in the human, several teams troops extend the wrong side of the door, each team has more than ten people to stand in the cold wind is not willing to depart, but also some people advance unceasingly. Tomorrow is the working day, but must ask for leave, when tonight was 10 spots I must get through.The vehicle owner Mr. Wang words bring in a laughter, the majority of vehicle owners choose to continue to wait.

　　According to the understanding, returns besides sloppy bridge nearby road maintenance cost, other this city refund situations are quite similar. Said located at Haidian Beitaipingzhuang nearby refund staff: If there is not led the uneven credential vehicle owner to be possible to continue to handle tomorrow, according to the present situation, at least must work overtime today 10:00 pm, cannot close the transactor in outside.

　　Rents card race a person changes a crowd

　　Yesterday 16:00 pm, nearby grass bridge road maintenance cost refund paced back and forth rented card person 1 person which was seen by last Friday reporter to turn into a crowd. In their everyone hand is taking the thick pack of receipt, is selling to the communication vehicle owner.

　　Rents one 30 Yuan, my 3 card basically rents now.Rents the card person to disclose that this weekend has come 45 ` colleagues all of a sudden’, everybody’s business is good, the staff have not prevented us.

　　However, the reporter discovered in the work hall, on the pillar posted a bulletin newly, above has indicated please casually do not have rented stranger’s bankcard, the risk is proud. Regarding this, the refund staff said that returns the road maintenance cost only to return the update in the industry and commerce bankcard, has not transferred accounts the function old card unable to use, but does not request this calorie is vehicle owner all, with family member and relative’s card. Tenancy others’ card, should be able to transfer accounts successfully, but must pay the handling charge, and has the risk.

　　Except that rents card race busily, surroundings photocopying shop’s business also fire many. Staff in the neighbor photocopying shop lift photocopying is heading west 200 meters the billboard directly, stands in open-air solicits business.

　　Related reminder

　　To cannot through individual who strongly returns, under the unit vehicles and same name has many vehicle’s vehicle owners, will draft in various road maintenance costs checks the organization window to handle through the pos machine swipe card artificially returns the service. Please have not handled the road maintenance cost to return vehicle all people who the procedure and has not received should return the road maintenance cost, must before December 21, 2009 17:00 handles, afterward will handle no longer the road maintenance cost to return and procedure for refund.

　　The vehicle because of occurring cancels and transfers nationality, to stop trips and to detain, the accident, fire and other change situations, has drafted in the road maintenance cost checks the organization to go through the corresponding procedure for refund, but has not received the refund, asks vehicle all people to hold my two generations of ID cards, the industry and commerce bankcard original part and road maintenance cost drafts checks the department writes up road maintenance cost cash refund to receive certificate, to went through the procedure for refund the road maintenance cost to draft checks or the charge center receives the refund; Other people charge d’affaires must provide agent’s two generations of ID card original part.

　　Moreover, suggested that the vehicle owner goes to the commerce bank checkup first whether has received the road maintenance cost which returns, in order to avoid travels in vain lining up.

　　(Origin: The Beijing Daily) (this article originates: Beijing Daily)

The Beijing vehicle inventory reaches 4 million: A happy worry (figure)

　　At present Beijing will not limit the compact car has, but guides its reasonable use

　　The vehicle inventory breaks through 4 million, both improved the quality of life of people, brings the new opportunity to the capital’s economy prosperously, and had the transportation to be crowd, environmental pollution and other practical problems. Xinhua News Agency picture

　　4 million!

　　The Beijing station was on the vehicle inventory 4 million thresholds!

　　On December 18, Beijing vehicle inventory broke 4 million critical junctions, achieved 4001426, the pilot reaches 5.679 million people.

　　A rise straight line

　　Has only used from 3 million to 4 million for two years 7 months, in the future will possibly achieve about 7 million

　　What concept 4 million are?

　　The Beijing 2nd Ring Road span is 32.7 kilometers, bidirectional altogether 6 traffic lanes, if according to compact car 4.5 meters long computations, the 2nd Ring Road all fills may hold nearly 43,600 vehicles. Likewise, the 3rd Ring Road may hold 64,000 vehicles; The 4th Ring Road may hold approximately 116,100 vehicles. Three ring circuits fill also can only hold 223,900 vehicles, only occupies 4 million 5.6%. In other words, Beijing every in 100 vehicles, if had at the same time 6 vehicles on these 3 ring circuits, 3 ring circuits will be at the paralysis condition.

　　Those who let the human be startled was the growth rate, the Beijing vehicle inventory has used for 48 years from 2300 to 1 million. In August, 2003, in May, 2007, the inventory breaks 2 million and 3 million critical junctions successively, the distinction uses for 6-and-a-half years and 3 years 9 months. But from 3 million to 4 million, has only used for two years 7 months.

　　4 million vehicles are the capital development prosperous symbols, is one of lives of the people wealthy important manifestations.Industry in the expert thinks. The automobile more enters the life of people are an inevitable trend. Along with capital increase of population, the Beijing vehicle total quantity continues the swift and violent rising momentum to be hard to change in a short time.Beijing Transportation chairman Liu Xiaoming thinks. According to the survey, it is estimated that in 2011 possibly reaches 5 million, before 2015, breaks through 6 million. According to present Beijing 6 million households family computations, the Beijing vehicle inventory will possibly achieve about 7 million in the future.

　　A happy worry

　　The vehicle exhaust has become affects the Beijing air quality primary factor

　　The vehicle inventory breaks through 4 million, brings the new opportunity to the capital’s economy prosperously, the quality of life of people also had very big improvement. But on the other hand, the municipal transportation is crowd, environmental pollution and other practical problems also along with it appearance.

　　Although sped up along with recent years Beijing public transport development, the choice mass transit journey proportion rose largely, but the compact car journey proportion has still maintained at over 30% levels, from absolute weak trend status jump to most have strong trend motorization transportation way.

　　What rapidly increases with the vehicle is corresponding is transportation crowd. According to Beijing transport development research center during November 14th to 20th transportation journey data statistical analysis, although the present Beijing adopted each week to limit the line on first measure, Beijing road network and late peak average vehicle speed early still only then per hour 24.2 kilometers and 20.1 kilometers. At present Beijing increases more than 1300 vehicles every day, if does not take the measure, during 2015 Beijing peak, the road network average vehicle speed will be possible only then per hour 15 kilometers.

　　Because the transportation crowd moving velocity drops, causes the vehicle exhaust total emission to increase. According to the monitor, the vehicle exhaust became affects one of Beijing air quality primary factors, it the gaseous state pollutant’s technical progress factor accounts for 50% to the air.

　　(Origin: People’s Daily) (this article originates: People’s Daily)

Ji Xianlin Beijing University old home is robbed nearly 5000 volume of stitch binding books losses

The reporter (on 20th) learned from the Haidian police yesterday that Ji Xianlin Beijing University old home truly is robbed, some book collections and goods loss. At present, the police are being investigated.

Ji Xianlin disciple Qian Wenzhong first disclosed the stolen event in blog. It is reported that Ji Xianlin’s old home in the Beijing University Langrunyuan No. 13 building, a two sets of house once was its residence, what doubtful stolen was a three-bedroom apartment, this room balcony glass was crushed by the human, in the room a disorder piece, in the room the quantity very big precious goods are looted spatially one. From the blog announcement’s scene picture, several antique book shelves are robbed completely one spatially, in Duobaoge holding also obviously massive losses. In the blogs disclosed that the Beijing University concerned personnels and Mr. Ji Xianlin the family member has carried on to settle to the lost goods, and jointly signs the detailed list, including: Nearly 5000 volume of precious stitch binding ancient books, quantity different image of Buddha and bronze statue, if discusses the market price, over 1 million Yuan.

According to Ji Xianlin son Ji Cheng view, on the 15th of the month noon he also once went to Langrunyuan to tidy up the thing, in the afternoon when leaves all also complete, on 16th toward noon again came, the room was robbed, he reported to the police afterward, and school-operated has reflected the situation to Beijing University. The season acknowledgment is, participates in the burglary at least has 56 people, but must have the vehicle to aid, otherwise cannot move out that many things. Ji Cheng also in detail explained the lost detailed list: Ancient book altogether 161 kinds, has the explicit number thread-bound book to have 4351 volume, in addition also has Jiaqing palace edition all Donovan 4 big box and complete set Twenty-Four Dynastic Histories, will lose the books total nearly 5000 volume.

Beijing University responded: Is robbed the goods to turn over to the season to take over principle

Yesterday, Beijing University made the statement to the season old home stolen incident, expressed that has charged the school public security organization actively to coordinate the public security organ to do the investigation work, simultaneously further strengthened to the campus region’s doing an inspection dynamics. According to the Beijing University department concerned, the season old relative to the police stated is stolen in the goods also to have a set of doctorate clothing. Beijing University indicated that according to Mr. Ji Xianlin’s last wish, on June 19 Beijing University has received the same place with the season, the residence has carried on the reorganization inventory to Langrunyuan 13 apartment Mr. Ji Xianlin together, to important books and goods registration compiles a register, and goods detailed list, the residence key and all books and goods turned over to Ji Cheng. (By Gao Jianliu Hao)

(Origin: Beijing Daily)

(This article originates: Beijing Daily)

Transports passes 114 groups to be on fire to fire the skull 20 passengers facing the street by scattered (figure)

　　The fire fighters suppress the fire, transport pass No. 114 bus to fire the skull. The newspaper reader supplies the chart

　　Yesterday (on 20th) morning 7:10, nearby the western three flag bridge laterite green lights, transported passes 114 public transportation engines place to be on fire and to ignite the entire vehicle, more than 20 passengers left the vehicle under unblocking of salesman rapidly, has not caused the personnel casualty. 7:30 am, the fire fighter suppresses the fire.

　　>> the public transportation is on fire

　　The escaping passenger wants the carriage return swipe card

　　Being on fire public transportation’s Mr. Si Jiguan said that this vehicle is past 5:00 am embarked the first bus from Wuzhuang, leaves for Shigezhuang. In the morning when 7:10, the vehicle goes waits for the traffic light to the western three flag bridges west, the engine suddenly is on fire.

　　Engine emits the black smoke, the driver raises the bonnet, discovered that inside leapt up the flame.This vehicle ticket seller Ms. Li said that the driver takes the fire extinguisher fire fighting immediately, but the open fight between factions has not extinguished. The drivers are immediately rapid the vehicle door open, is scattered the passenger.

　　On vehicle has more than 20 passengers, mostly is the young people. I call everybody to hurry to get out, passengers are very startled, call out in alarm downward are flushing.Ms. Li said that after a female passenger gets out, loudly shouted me not to swipe the card, wants to flush the swipe card. But at that time the cowling position had ignited the fire, and rapid to all around spreads. Ms. Li shouted: You run, do not brush.Then has stopped this female passenger.

　　After all passenger safety evacuation public transportations, the driver also rapidly gets out, from stopping to pass 119 public transportations to borrow the fire extinguisher in following transporting to save goal once more, but the fire intensity has still not reduced. The passenger on the scene has dialed 119 warnings. In the morning 7:20, the Xierqi fire prevention squadron’s 3 fire engines rush to the scene, 10 minutes later suppresses the fire.

　　>> the black smoke fills the air

　　Nearby resident thought the building

　　According to nearby plot resident Venerable Li, at that time he saw outside the window to hike up the black smoke suddenly, black rolling has wrapped up our building in plot, I also think that was our building has been on fire, put on the slipper toward the outside to run, finally saw originally was on the street public transportation, the fire has swallowed the entire vehicle.

　　Yesterday in the morning 7:50, transporting of scene passed No. 114 bus only to be burnt the remaining skulls, the window glass cremates completely, in the vehicle the chair was also reduced to ashes. After the accident vehicle drags away by the trailer, several environmental protection workers are cleaning up to remain ground’s wreckage. This road section transportation comes under the short influence, in the morning about 8:20 restores normally.

　　The scene roadside also stops several police vehicles, the salesman is brought to the police vehicle in the understanding situation. At present, the accident had concrete reason still to investigate.

　　>> the company responded

　　Will carry on the security check to all vehicles

　　Transports passes 114 groups respective companies (to hereafter refer to as Xianglong company) as the Beijing Xianglong public transportation passenger transportation limited company. According to Xianglong company party committee service department minister Zhang Mr., after it happened the procedure of vehicles salesman basically tallies deals with the part to catch fire the procedure.

　　The passengers once opened the cowling fire fighting to express the question to the driver, such air went will have caused the fire greatly. Mr. Zhang said that indeed should not open the cover the fire fighting, is spraying using the fire extinguisher to the slit place, will investigate to further this matter us.

　　Mr. Zhang also said that the matter sends the vehicles engine is the pretage type, Xianglong company only then the few part vehicles is this kind of situation. The rear-mounted engine has the automatic fire sprinkler, may increase vehicles’ security, but the hyperphoric needs some approval formalities, the company estimated that next year finished the rolling stock hyperphoric. At present they started to the company rolling stock to carry on the inspection, mainly inspects the engine whether has the safety danger, as well as fire fighting facility is whether complete, will not have forbidden transport business through the security check vehicles. (By Wang Luan student journalist Ma Xiaopeng)

　　(Origin: National capital Times) (this article originates: National capital Times)

Three Yuan dairyings invest over hundred million Yuan to make the biggest milk source base in Weifang

　　On December 18, Shanghai three Yuan dairying limited liability company and Weifang Fangzi District government formed the strategic co-operation, Shanghai three Wonsan east subsidiary company officially is founded, simultaneously contributed over hundred million Yuan the milk source base also formal production operation which established in Weifang. 2008 melamine event caused dairy industry in China to receive the heavy losses, the entire dairy industry suddenly entered the cold ice stage, but, three Yuan dairyings depended upon the unique pattern to cultivate one’s own moral worth in the entire dairying event, this year contributes hundred million Yuan to construct the milk source base in Weifang. Shanghai three Yuan general manager Guo Tianjun said: Shandong is the milk expends big province, the market is big, the geographical position is superior, the Shandong basic requirement was mature, three Yuan have 30 million populace foundations and in fine weather and favorable geographical position the superiority.

　　In March, 2008, three Yuan dairyings invest 616.5 million Yuan to buy three deer group’s core asset with its parent company capital agriculture group, fell over three deer’s almost complete inheritances because of the melamine event finally by three Yuan inheritance. Three Yuan food limited liability company general manager Niu Liping said that after purchasing three deer, three Yuan entered a fast period of expansion, but flushed away the regional strike nation’s strategy already to form, in three Yuan hope short-terms achieved the goal which the first echelon marched to dairying. According to Niu sets up the draw, including restoring to produce and to place the staff as well as the market divides and other first phases of conformity three deer to present basically to complete, then, in formed Beijing, Shanghai and Hebei three sell in the district foundation, will start to plan the layout nation.

　　Purchased three deer to fire three Yuan brand influences and popularity, meanwhile, three Yuan product lines, produced can obtain the promotion with the market layout, at present the domestic dairying market went out of the melamine the shadow, started to recover comprehensively. Three Yuan in the conformity good three deer’s foundation, next step, must seize national market Niu Liping to disclose that after purchasing three deer, three Yuan produces can drastically promote, three Yuan year productivity has amounted to 1 million tons, and in national 22 provinces and cities and more than 300 cities has completed the sales stationing. The Chinese dairying is becomes also the milk source, defeat also milk source. The milk source becomes the war casualty of Chinese dairying, in the melamine event, three originally has the pasture pattern by the reputation is three Yuan patterns, industry in generally believes that three Yuan can cultivate one’s own moral worth, the innate pasture has lasting achievements, built a natural defense line for the guarantee quality milk. In dairying industry chain milk source, processing and in the market three links, most is difficult to do is still the milk source base construction.

　　After milk source base in Weifang completes, not only solves the problem which the Shandong milk source was insufficient, makes up the vacancy in Shandong large-scale modernization factory. At the same time, outputs base as the milk source, on the one hand eases the Beijing Factory pressure, on the other hand is three Yuan enters the East China market to pave the way, provides enough high-quality milk source safeguard for the East China development of market. (Li Ling virtuous Chen Yanjie) (this article originates: People.com)

The Henan Zhoukou 65 communities “online police service room” clears the movement

Chinanews Zhoukou, December 21 – (by Qi Yong Correspondent Yang Zhenghua Yu Fashun) surmounts the space and time, the link is safe. Starting from today, general residents, so long as registers Henan Zhoukou public security network (the Internet) the website, link online police service room tectonic plate, may realize exchange with your area of jurisdiction police face-to-face, and may handle some related business.

The reporter learned from Henan Zhoukou Police station yesterday, to further expand the police people communicates the channel, enhances the police service room police to serve populace’s working efficiency and quality, this bureau 65 communities which online sets up in the Zhoukou public security online police service room formally clears the movement. From now on, the general residents are confined at home, the light spot mouse then exchanges with the police interaction, accepts the populace to report to the police, consultation, to handle the registered permanent address, ID card and so on related business.

It is known that the whole city completed and was available 65 community online police service room to take the Internet and Zhoukou public security information network as the backing, takes the community police service room as the unit, has constructed a police service room police and area of jurisdiction populace online exchange interactive platform. Each online police service room establishment has the police service room synopsis and police service to be public, the legal system publicity, the safe guard and police sentiment disseminate news, the online service, to open the door to comment the police as well as the related link and so on basic module, the functional module layout are reasonable, the road safety handles inquired, message.

Zhoukou Police station concerned people in charge said that the clear movement of online police service room raised the community police working efficiency, simultaneously has also facilitated the broad masses. The populace may glance over the whole city community police service work tendency, to enjoy the convenient service which through the website the police provide, and momentarily makes an appointment to manage the card and referral service, but may also carry on to state opinion through the website to the community police service work to offer advice, carries on the suit to police’s working condition, carries on reporting to the authorities to the criminal case clue. The police service room police through the website issue police service public information and convenient service information which supposes specially, carries on the legal system and safe guard to the area of jurisdiction populace propagandizes, accepts the populace to report the suit, provides the populace online consultation. (End)
(This article originates: China News)

Shanxi Lin County ” 12• 1 ” xiaohong explosive material document 3 suspects bring to justice

New China net Taiyuan, December 11 – (by Lu Xiaoyu) caused 4 people dead Lin County 121 xiaohong explosive material case solves to make the important breakthrough, the main suspect high sea blue jade and other people brought to justice on December 7, other suspects were still capturing.

On December 1 8:30 Zuo You, Lin County Sanjiao Town calm family Getai Village Gao Haiyu the family sends the fresh detonation, 4 dead. On 7th, violated crime suspect Gao Haiyu and his wife Hou Yuanjun south Shanxi Xi’an municipal public security bureau Bureau the front gate local police station the voluntarily surrendering to the authorities head.

The Lin County police station bureau introduced that this is the explosion case which a cause non-law manufacture blasting cap directs to send. Non-law manufacture explosive material by Gao Haiyu et al. raised for the place, the grandson two clouds and other dead enters the line to add the labor manufacture. Sends the fresh detonation a body originally because of still in the accent looked up. (This article originates: New China net)

Britain is popular raises the small hedgehog to make pet to load into the handbag to window-shop together

Chinanews on December 11 Sing Tao Daily net on 11th according to Hong Kong, Britain will start raises the African small hedgehog (African pygmy hedgehog) the upsurge in the near future, many star player wife or the girlfriend place in the handbag to go out various types lovable miniature hedgehog in abundance window-shop, solemn model of fashionable decorations.

It is reported that this kind only then the palm size’s African hedgehog becomes by the Algerian hedgehog and white abdomen hedgehog hybrid, each selling price approximately 250 pounds. They have many kinds of colors to choose for the buyer: The white, the apricot color, the chocolate color and color blending series, may match each model of handbag’s tone, made the master to be unable to put down.

The ladies said that this kind of hedgehog carries conveniently, when the elephant does not bring the dog to take to the streets needs often to safeguard that troubles.

Simultaneously in addition, rushes about the office worker who all day is very fond of the raising pet, favors more and more in buying a hedgehog works as pet, because this kind of animal hides by day and come out at night, when the master gets off work to go home, they exactly from the sleep wake, restored the vigor.

Moreover, this kind of hedgehog is advantageous for raising, the appetite is not big. They usually may eat the cat grain, the capacity for food are only a family cat one-third. Therefore, raises the hedgehog to raising the cat spends are less.

However, some loving care animal public figures believe that should not match this kind of rare animal as the pet the handbag.

(This article originates: China News)

Jiangsu Yixing openly judged that is involved nearly 60 million Yuan networks to bet ball document (figure)

　　New China net, Yixing (Jiangsu), on December 13, 2009

　　The involved accused person is accepting the court judged that (on December 11 absorbed).

　　On December 11, Jiangsu Yixingshi Court the first example which accepted to this courtyard opens the gambling establishment document using the network and gathers in great numbers gambling and other gambling case 9 accused people to carry on had openly judged, was involved nearly 60 million Yuan networks to bet the ball document principal offender to be sentenced for 1 year 6 months.

　　Xinhua News Agency Reporter Gu Yeshe

(This article originates: New China net)

Get smart with money books

Get smart with money books

There are some really good personal finance books on the shelves these days — volumes that can help you manage your money better, earn more on your investments, or plan a good retirement. But those books are surrounded by dozens of others that are less good — so choosing the right one becomes the key to success.
A good money book is a great gift for yourself, especially if you’ve received any book-store gift cards during the holiday season. If not, try your local library.
Here’s an admittedly idiosyncratic roundup of some of the best of the current crop:

“Making the Most of Your Money” by Jane Bryant Quinn (Simon & Schuster, $35). At 1,242 pages, this hardcover isn’t just a financial book, it’s a fitness book, too. Do 10 reps lifting it over your head and you’ll build muscle. Read 10 pages, at random, anywhere in the book, and you’ll learn something smart about how to handle your finances. Quinn is, of course, the queen of personal finance writing and this newly updated classic covers everything from credit scores to interest rates to tuition to bond mutual funds. The advice is wise and consumerist, and you can use it like the encyclopedia that it is.

“10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget” by the writers of Wise Bread (Skyhorse Publishing, $14.95), is a nice hands-on book for how to save money on everyday life. Wise Bread (www.wisebread.com) is a frugal living website and this books includes lots of specific resources and tips on items like inexpensive romantic dates, cheap dinners, free health care and travel deals. It’s a little less specific and more generic in its sections on investing. Alas, the publisher may have gone too far down the bargain route itself by having the book printed cheaply in China. Though attractively laid out, the volume has a stiff spine and is difficult to hold open.

“Stop Getting Ripped Off” by Bob Sullivan (Ballentine books, $15). Sullivan blogs the “Red Tape Chronicles” for MSNB (redtape.msnbc.com/) and he’s a wonderful pro-consumer storyteller. This book tackles banks, insurance companies, cell phone services and more. Learn the questions to ask and the deals to cut so you can stop being a patsy.