Nations' reserves are these days mostly used to support or weaken the country's currency, by buying it or selling it in the open market - a function for which gold is unsuited.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Central banks set gold sale limit

The decrease is primarily attributable to the continuing effects of actions taken in conjunction with Clearwire's cost cutting initiatives in 2011 including lower employee-related expenses resulting from headcount reductions and outsourcing of the customer care function, reduced marketing spend, as well as decreased selling commission expense associated with our no-contract product offering which was launched at the beginning of 2012.

ENGADGET: Clearwire sees wholesale revenues dip, LTE delays as it posts a $41.3 million net loss in Q3

Smart real estate people deputized mortgage reps hungry for referral opportunities, to shoulder this function, leaving real estate agents to focus on the business of selling real estate.

FORBES: The Mortgage Pre-Approval Con

Parisian boutique galleries function as both exhibitors and production studios, showcasing top designers as well as producing and selling their work in limited editions -- and hotels and restaurants are capitalising on this new talent to design their environments.

BBC: The City of Light becomes the city of design