They include a complete ban on wagering on college and amateur sports, a ban on Internet gambling and a ban on credit-card cash-advance machines in gambling parlours.

ECONOMIST: Gambling on the future

Although it's nice to have the cash-advance option in an emergency, you could get hit with exorbitant transaction fees and surcharges -- and unlike regular purchases, cash advances command a steeper interest rate that begins accruing immediately, not after your next bill, Elmendorf said.

CNN: Conquer the currency conversion conundrum

Major League Baseball took over the day-to-day financial control of the team last month and according to my source has been pushing McCourt to sell equity in the debt-burdened Dodgers rather than raise cash by getting an advance on a new cable deal with Fox.

FORBES: Los Angeles Dodgers Likely Headed To Auction Due To Lack Of Cash For Payroll

Rather than waiting for their customers to die, they sell funerals in advance--"preneed" sales, in industry parlance--taking in cash now for a service they may not perform for years to come.

FORBES: Buried Trouble