If you want to find a good hairdresser in your area, you go online to Yelp.com. A good restaurant: Zagats.com. But where do you go to find a worthy -- and trustworthy -- charity to donate to? Try GreatNonprofits.org, a site that's trying to make it easier for all parties involved in a nonprofit -- volunteers, staff workers, donors and the needy -- rate it as a place to fund.

GreatNonprofits.org was started by Perla Ni, former publisher of Stanford University's Social Innovation Review, after people came to her post-Hurricane Katrina, asking what charities to fund. Ni didn't have a clue -- there was no measurement system online rating charities beyond the income/expense ratios. The charities she did find in New Orleans providing most of the shelter, food and water were small, obscure ones that weren't getting any media or celebrity attention.

That's the case everywhere -- lots of small nonprofits doing good work but lacking the time and money to promote their efforts. GreatNonprofits.org has reviews for about 400 nonprofits to date, most of them in the Bay Area where Ni's organization is based, but there are more than one million charities in the Web site's database waiting to be reviewed, if you have some insight to share.

The family of Dr. Harold Carr, a London physician, found a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante in his garage after his death.

The Associated Press reports that the car is one of only 17 made, and appraisers expect that it will fetch more than $4.3 million when it is sold at auction in February. AutoBlog adds that "Estimated values for the car are all over the map, with values as high as £6 million (about $8.8M USD) being discussed."

It was originally owned by British race car driver Earl Howe and changed hands several times -- It hasn't been used since 1960.

I know literally nothing about cars except that friends make fun of me when I show up in a 1995 Volvo. But I wonder whether the price the car realizes at auction will be adversely impacted by the economy. Might the family be better off waiting a few years? Or perhaps a buyer will scoop it up at a bargain and then flip it when the economy rebounds.

Either way, it's one sweet ride for the Carr's.

Author Ryan D'Agostino's proposal for his book, Rich Like Them must have sounded terrific back in 2006. He would cold-call at houses owned by obviously prosperous people and ask them to explain how they came about their fortune. Unfortunately, between the inception of his idea and the publishing of Rich Like Them, a recession intruded.

D'Agostino, an editor at Esquire and widely published elsewhere, had surprising success in convincing those who answered his knock to open up about the source of their bounty. He targeted homes in the top 100 toniest zip codes across the country, and recruited a wide variety of subjects, from software magnates to fruit peddlers, investment brokers to credit card processors. The books suffers, however, from two flaws; one predictable, and one that should have been.

Fault one, no fault of D'Agostino's, is that many of the subjects gained most of, if not all, their fortunes in property speculation. While investing in land and housing will no doubt eventually be once-again lucrative, in today's market such stories of success seem archaic.

My office is around the corner from a branch of the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Every day, I see "creatively" dressed youngsters dragging massive black portfolios to and from class. Sometimes they do photo shoots on my street, doing closeups of eggs splattered on the pavement or scantily-clad models slithering around on tinfoil. "How are they ever going to make a living when they get out of school?" I always wondered, shaking my head and clucking like a grandma.

Then one night while walking to the train station, I passed by the school, which featured student artwork in the windows. Dramatic black-and-white photographs of the countryside, colorful still-life of tropical fruit, muslin ballgowns draped on mannequins. This was college students' work? To me, it was wonderful stuff that looked like it could be displayed not only in art galleries but also in my place of honor, above the fireplace mantle. That's when I decided I wanted to help those students down the street earn a living.

I'll never have the budget to buy a Picasso or a Pollock, but I could be buying work from the next art-world sensation. That's why I think buying works from art schools is way better than buying them at art galleries and auctions. Not only are you giving students and alumni a mental and financial boost, you're also buying up-and-coming works that could appreciate later on if the artist gains fame.

In the best of times, it's easy to imagine that commodities and currencies are stable, unchanging things. After all, if gold was worth $400 an ounce yesterday, there is no reason to imagine that it will be worth a great deal more or less tomorrow. Similarly, if the dollar was able to buy a certain amount of goods or services last week, then one can be forgiven for imagining that it will be able to buy a comparable amount of goods or services next month. In good times, prices don't fluctuate all that much, and we can make long term plans, secure in the belief that the economy or the markets won't leave us holding the bag.

Unfortunately, the past few months have been a long, painful lesson in the pitfalls of currencies and commodities. When the value of gas skyrocketed and the value of the dollar plummeted, prices that had long been stable began to bounce up and down. Stocks that were once worth a fortune were suddenly devalued, while gold that was once worth a reasonable amount was suddenly worth a whole lot more. In the midst of this crisis, some necessities began to look like luxuries and thrift once again became a virtue.

Dollar General's Secret Flawless Diamond Sweepstakes started on September 27, 2008 and runs until June 30, 2009, which means you still have plenty of time to win a 1-Carat diamond worth approximately $15,000.

Procter and Gamble is sponsoring the contest which is open to all U.S. residents who are at least 13 years old at the time of entry.

There are two methods of entry. The first is to visit a Dollar General store and purchase a specially-marked Secret Flawless 1.6 oz. "Invisible Solid" product. If the product contains a diamond game piece, you are a potential Grand Prize Winner. Then you must send the original game piece, along with your name and address to Winner! Secret Flawless Diamond Sweepstakes - Dollar General - Prize Claim, c/o e-Prize Fulfillment Services, One ePrize Drive, MI 48069. Your entry must be received by July 8, 2009 or you will forfeit the prize and it will remain un-awarded.

However, having found the diamond game piece does not guarantee you the diamond because there is a second method of entry that requires no purchase. Entrants simply hand print their name, address, day and evening telephone numbers, email address and age on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mail it to Secret Flawless Diamond Sweepstakes - Dollar General - Sweepstakes Entry, c/o e-Prize, LLC, P.O. Box 2408, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2408. You're allowed one entry, which must be handwritten, postmarked by July 1, 2009 and received by July 8, 2009.

The all-powerful Administrator will apply an algorithm to determine whether the Grand Prize will be awarded through product purchase or free method of entry. If it is to be awarded via the free entry method, the Administrator will select the winner in a random drawing from amongst all eligible entries received.

See the Secret Diamond Flawless Diamond Sweepstakes Official Rules for full details.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips and ideas for decorating using only items from the dollar store.

Ken and Daria Dolan, America's First Family of Personal Finance, answer your money questions every Friday.

Click here to ask Ken and Daria your question.

Did you know finances are the #1 reason couples split up? And that's without the added stress of a recession! It doesn't have to be that way. We've been doing this for a long time – helping folks with their personal finances and being married for more than 37 years! – and we've learned a few lessons along the way to making it all work. Check out our video response below to learn important strategies for a financially-successful partnership.

Dear Ken and Daria,

How do you get a significant other to sit down and discuss financial matters?



Do you suffer from MMD? Marital Money Discord affects many couples, but with a little communication and these strategies from Ken and Daria, you'll be on your way to financial bliss!

Muntader al-Zaidi's career as a journalist may be over, but there are plenty of other business opportunities for the Iraqi who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush.

The New York Times reported that a Saudi Arabian newspaper had a story that a man offered $10 million for one of the shoes.

In case you haven't heard what happened Sunday night, here are the basics: Al-Zaidi, 29, is a journalist for Al Baghdadia, an Iraqi TV station. As Bush spoke at a press conference, Al-Zaidi rose from about 12 feet away and threw a shoe at the president's head while shouting in Arabic, "This is a gift from the Iraqis; this is the farewell kiss, you dog!" Bush dodged the shoe, and the other one Al-Zaidi threw at him, this time screaming at the president, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!"

He was subdued, beaten and hauled away and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of an aggressive act against a head of a foreign state on an official visit. It's expected to be decided today whether he will go to trial.

Bernard Madoff, who has been charged with running a Ponzi scheme that may involve as much as $50 billion in losses, advised the SEC on how to protect investors from scam artists when he served on an SEC advisory committee in the early 2000s. He publicly pushed the idea that "In today's regulatory environment, it's virtually impossible to violate rules" in this October 2007 conference.

Based on information now available about the $50 billion Ponzi scheme, it appears that not only can rules be violated, but Bernard Madoff used his insider contacts at the SEC and around Wall Street to build a business that the SEC never audited between 1999, when he first received a letter from the SEC raising the question of a Ponzi scheme, until last week when the SEC conducted an examination of his business. In addition to advising the SEC, Madoff served as chairman of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

Donald Langevoort, a Georgetown University law professor, told the Washington Post, "Bernie had a good reputation at the SEC with a lot of highly placed people as an innovator as somebody who speaks his mind and knows what's going on in the industry. I think he was seen as a valuable resource to the commission in its deliberations."

The news that Bernard Madoff was arrested Friday and charged with securities fraud in what federal prosecutors called a $50 billion Ponzi scheme should serve as a warning to anyone asked to give money with promises of getting high returns if they sign up more people.

Hopefully you won't get involved in a $50 billion (yes, with a "B" not "M") scheme, but it's always good to take a look at how to avoid Ponzi schemes, some of the oldest schemes around that date back to the 1920s. They're also called Pyramid schemes and are financial webs that many people learned about in school. I remember learning about them in high school.

But first, a recap of what Madoff is accused of and how he got caught. According to prosecutors and news reports, the former Nasdaq Stock Market chairman and founder of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC was charged with one count of securities fraud. The criminal complaint alleges that he "deceived investors by operating a securities business in which he traded and lost investor money, and then paid certain investors purported returns on investment with the principal received from other, different investors, which resulted in losses of approximately billions of dollars."

Every once in a while, a story comes along which gives us goosebumps while reaffirming the belief that people are all basically good and honest. The Daily News Journal, serving Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has provided us with one of those rare and lovely stories.

At the insistence of one of her 12 grandchildren, Billie Watts reluctantly reveals what had happened . She had gone to a local Cracker Barrel restaurant, and upon entering the restroom she discovered a tapestry bag hung on a hook.

Inside that bag, she discovered an envelope with a picture of two women and a child. She also discovered a whole big bundle of $1,000 bills. Billie told The Daily News: "I said 'Oh my goodness, I have never seen that much money in my whole life. I counted the money. There was $97,000 in $1,000 bills. They were neatly stacked inside the bag. "

As the gap continues to widen between the haves and the have-nots, I find it incredibly comforting to know that for just a bit more than it costs me to rent my home each month, the top 1% of our population can have access to a credit card they could use to purchase my entire county of residence.

That's right, for the paltry price of just $495 per month annually, the Barclay's Visa Black Card is ready and waiting to serve the uber-wealthy. It's just too bad that the card probably isn't available to anyone who will read this.

The ultra exclusive Black Card is produced in stunning black carbon graphite, making it the most durable fake money around. In addition to having possibly the most exclusive credit purchasing weapon on the planet, card members are provided with 24 hour, top of the line, concierge service. I can just see myself calling for my personal chauffeur now, "Have James bring the pick-up truck around from the wood pile, won't you?"

It is well known that couples in long term relationships are healthier and wealthier. The best relationships are friendships that catch fire. How well do you know your partner and their view of the world? Answer the following questions "yes" or "no" to find out.

1. I understand my partner's philosophies about life.
2. I consider my partner to be my very best friend.
3. We often touch and kiss for no particular reason.
4. I call my partner several times a day.
5. I understand my partner's dreams for the future.
6. We find our sex life is fun and satisfying.
7. We touch base everyday about how our day is going.
8. If I have a problem, I talk with my partner.
9. We have scheduled activities that we look forward to.
10. We have similar values and goals.
11. I think that my partner has high integrity.
12. I can't wait to get home at the end of the day.
13. We have favorite traditions for many of the holidays.
14. I feel that my partner respects me.
15. We enjoy many of the same activities.
16. My partner understands my family.
17. My partner makes me laugh.

How many "Yes" answers did you have?

15 or more: You have a strong relationship built on friendship.

9-14: You have a good base but additional work will enhance your relationship. This is a good time to utilize additional tools.

8 or fewer: Get busy or you and your partner risk drifting apart.

Barbara Bartlein is the author of Why Did I Marry You Anyway? Overcoming the Myths That Hinder a Happy Marriage. For more marriage tips, please visit: Marriage Advice

Did you know not all savings bonds earn the same rate of interest? AND, did you know that there are more than 50 different interest rates for EE Bonds since they began being issued in 1980?

If you didn't know these two small but very important facts about savings bonds, you're not alone.

The majority of savings bond owners have a difficult time keeping track of the different rules and regulations concerning their rainy day investment. Unfortunately, rainy days are upon us, and with the gloom and doom of the recession hanging over our heads, many savings bond owners are rushing to their banks to cash in at least some of their savings bonds.

President George W. Bush is headed toward ending up the most disliked president in American history, with an approval rating which has slowly declined to somewhere around 25%. The media scorns him, the liberals scoff at him, and he's still a favorite mud-slinging target of David Letterman. He doesn't ad lib well. He is unable to successfully tell a joke. But you do have to admit that the guy has some stones.

Does a soon to be former president with a spine but no friends, stand a chance at success in the presidential memoirs market? According to an article by Duncan Greenberg at Forbes.com, George W. Bush might see some better offers if he puts off accepting them for a while.

It's pretty much a given that George Bush isn't cut out for the public speaking circuit. I've never seen him attend a speaking engagement with anything akin to poise, power, or emotion. He certainly can't give insight into team building. He'd not be considered an authority on the art of negotiation. About the only point of expertise that I think G.W. could successfully lecture on would be the proposition of setting your jaw and holding your ground. No, there's not much future in public speaking for our pending former president.

Perhaps it would be best if George W. Bush sets his sights upon a few ineffectual board appointments and some blessings of coin from the honorarium crowd. I'm sure that many strong minds among the conservative circles are hoping that their associative attachments to George W. Bush shall quickly fade away. The report from Forbes states; "Laura Bush will write her memoirs first. She reportedly has been entertaining publishers at the White House to discuss a possible book deal, which will likely fetch at least $5 million." I personally think that G.W. should let his wife's book clear the shelves before he even takes a stab at attempting anything like it.

It's really of no earthly consequence what George W. Bush chooses to do in his semi-retirement. I don't read books from former presidents, so I honestly don't care if G.W. authors one or not. However, there is one thing that I'm almost certain of when it comes to the subject of the memoirs of George W. Bush: If he authors them, and they're published, and they sell, and you read them, I believe that you can rest easy in the assurance of this one single fact: President George W. Bush really couldn't care less whether or not you have ever liked what he has found necessary to say to you.

That's exactly why I still like him. The polls be damned.