Warren Buffett is famous for talking about the "intrinsic value" of stocks. But while many people parrot this phrase, few know what it really means.

This past Christmas, I was at a party, and a man who's about 10 years older than I am asked me what mutual funds I invested in. My reply was "None. I rarely invest in mutual funds because of the lack of transparency. I don't know their fees. And I know there are hidden expenses they don't need to disclose to investors."

All over the U.S. there are stories of a rise in real estate foreclosures. Many people who took those exotic mortgages -- borrowing 125% of home value or choosing adjustable-rate mortgages -- are struggling to make their payments, and some aren't making it.

Is your company tough and tenacious or lithe and limber?

Cleaning out my office recently, I found an old USA Today newspaper dated May 8, 2006, that I had not read. Glancing at the Money section, I came across an interesting array of articles. The headline of the Money section read, "Dow Closing on Record High".