It’s the quintessential American concept: Start a business from a simple idea, and then watch it explode into a multimillion-dollar corporation. Of course, most people who decide to become entrepreneurs have a plan. A little money, perhaps. And maybe some contacts. Mel and Patricia Ziegler, the couple behind the clothing empire Banana Republic, had none of these things. But, in 1978, they did have a vision.

For now, all I can do is hang my hopes on the slim percentage that I won’t get breast cancer, knowing that if a tumor develops, it’s not like I can afford to treat that either.

When my younger sister was in college, she needed help with the down payment for a new car. I wrote her a check—coincidentally, her birthday was just around the corner—and sent it in a card, with the understanding that when she was solvent, she’d pay me back. Almost a decade later, that portion of my coffer remains empty; in fact, it’s permanently closed, since the one time I suggested she might pay me back, it caused a battle so ugly that my father had to step in to break up a fight between his adult daughters.

When the invitation came to attend my 20th college reunion, a wave of nostalgia was followed immediately with an overwhelming sense of nausea. Would the questions start again?

In Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, “Lean In“, she suggests that part of the problem facing women in the workplace is reluctance from male executives to mentor younger female employees. She may be right.

We’ve all been there: It’s early morning. You’re stuck in rush-hour traffic. You’re running late. And you need the strongest concoction that your coffee shop can brew. Now imagine your surprise when you pull up to the window, and the barista says, “Your drink has been paid for by the customer before you. Would you like to keep the trend going?”

Job interviews: Nobody likes them, but they inevitably stand between you and your dream job. Unfortunately, “What’s your greatest weakness?” is no longer the only hard-to-answer question hiring managers will throw your way.

There are lots of pictures that are too graphic to publish. Even on the Internet. I have to look at them anyway.

Is the smartphone costing you more than a big chunk of change? We took a closer look at the toll mobile technology is having on many marriages, kids, work productivity and even our safety.

Holy shit.

That was my first thought as I combed through the many college application essays leaked on Gawker after a tip-off to Ivygate of a Google drive folder where the Columbia University Class of 2017 shared (seemingly only to fellow students) their application essays to build community amongst their fellow students.