The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety released its annual list of the safest cars for the upcoming year. This year’s list, for 2010 models, highlights Subaru, Ford, and Volkswagen cars. The Triangle Business Journal has more:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its top safety picks among 2010 model year vehicles, and the results might have Subaru, Ford and Volkswagen/Audi dealers gearing up for sales spikes in coming months.

The winners (as quoted from the article):

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door
Dodge Avenger
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si)
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

A clinical trial has found that Merck’s Vytorin and Zetia cholesterol pills don’t treat clogged arteries as effectively as Abbott Labs’ Niaspan, a form of Niacin (Vitamin B3). Bloomberg reports:

In a clinical trial reported yesterday, researchers found a decrease in the thickness of artery walls in patients given Niaspan, while those on Zetia had no change. Artery thickness is believed to be a predictor of risk in heart attack and stroke because it restricts blood flow, the researchers said.

Using Niaspan, with $786 million in sales last year, to raise HDL has been limited because the drug can cause facial flushing. Merck is testing a form of niacin in combination with an experimental drug laropiprant and will seek U.S. regulatory approval for the medicine as early as 2010.

A negative finding like this one could cut Zetia and Vytorin’s revenue by $800 million, or 20%, according to the article. It could also set off a wave of interest in niacin as a cheaper, more effective cholesterol-fighting measure.

The Mayo Clinic has more on lowering cholesterol with niacin.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid Thanksgiving Day megaspend. If you strategize your meal, involve others, and entertain for free, you can host a delicious Thanksgiving Day for as little as $50. The twelve tips below will give you a Thanksgiving Day to remember–without the budgetary complications:

Plan it

Image: The Writing Loft

1) What type of feast (and people) do you want?
Will this year be a family affair? A semiformal dinner party? A gaggle of relatives? Figure out who’s coming over, what kind of food you want to serve, and how to entertain everyone.

If possible, make your event a potluck. That way, you only have to worry about the turkey, drinks, and perhaps a side dish. If you’re strapped, have your visitors bring drinks, too.

Tip: If a lot of people are coming, an easy way to organize a potluck is to create a list of items guests need to bring. Email out the list. Tell your guests to email you back as soon as they decide what item to bring. This generally leaves the slackers bringing the alcohol, which tends to cost more…but the system works.

2) What can you afford?
Look at your bank statements and figure out how much you can afford. Your Thanksgiving feast should not incur credit card debt. If you only have $5 to spare, push the potluck idea—hard. If you have $50, you can prepare a tasty, cheap meal for a family. If you have $500, you probably don’t need to read the rest of this post.

3) How much time do you have to prepare?
If you have less than an entire day, think about getting a prepared Thanksgiving meal at a grocery store. Many sell family-sized meals, including turkey, pumpkin pie, and the works, for less than $50. You pick them up on Thanksgiving Day.

Shop

Get cheaper kinds of foods.
There are several ways to do this.

1) Forego the whole turkey.
Will your guests be just as happy munching on a turkey thigh dish? Or pork? A vegetarian feast, perhaps? Substituting other food for a big turkey can save a lot of money. See what your guests are willing to eat in place of the big bird.

2) Cheap produce still makes tasty side dishes.
It costs less to make mashed potatoes than to prepare Peruvian purples stuffed with caviar and crème fraiche. Stick to sides that won’t break your wallet. Buy the produce on sale at your grocery store (called shop loss leaders). Supplement it with canned or frozen produce.

3) Buy in bulk.
There’s no better time than Thanksgiving to buy big bags of potatoes, frozen meat multipacks, and crates of juice at your local bulk retailer. See what you need a lot of, and head over to Costco or Sam’s Club to get it.

4) Clip coupons.
Start browsing your local Sunday newspaper two weeks before Thanksgiving. Stores often try to lure in customers with ultra-cheap specials. Make a meal out of the specials you find. If newspaper ads are too 1980 for you, find coupons online, at sites like Coupons.com.

If your store doubles or matches other stores’ coupons, all the better.

5) Put your freezer to work.
If you find grocery store loss leader specials a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, see if you can freeze them. Thaw before your feast, and voila, cheap fare.

6) Does anything taste just as good generic?
Some generic products, like beer, are dismal buys. Others, like canned pumpkin or cheddar cheese, might actually taste okay. See if there’s anything you can buy generic, without sacrificing taste.

7) Borrow.
If you’re lacking a turkey baster, gravy ladles, or any other Thanksgiving-specific utensil, see if you can borrow one from one of your guests. It beats buying something you’re only going to use once a year.

Entertain

1) Decorate on the cheap.
Creating your own can be cheap and fun, especially if you have kids. Here are some ideas to start you off. If you’re humble about your lack of Thanksgiving Martha Stewart-ness, ask if you can borrow decorations from someone. Or hit up your local dollar store for single-use holiday decorations.

2) Find free games.
If kids will be attending your party, print out free online games, puzzles, and coloring book pages. A Google search will lead you to a treasure trove of printables like the ones on this site. Bring out (or have guests bring) board games and DVDs if you want to keep the fun at home. If your plans include movies, see if you can schedule in a matinee.

For specific cost-effective recipes, try this website.

Nokia is recalling up to 14 million phone chargers because they may transmit an electric shock to users. PC World has details:

Nokia says it will replace for free millions of faulty cellphone chargers that pose a shock hazard to its users. Nokia says the plastic casing surrounding the chargers in question could separate, exposing the unit’s internal components, creatinging a shock hazard.

To return your charger unit, go to Nokia’s dedicated charger exchange Website, and enter your charger’s model and identification numbers. The Website will then lead you through the steps required to exchange your charger. If you’re unsure if your charger unit is affected, you can also check your model using the exchange site.

Fedor Emelianenko has been called the baddest man on the planet. We think a case can be made that he is the most fit man to have ever lived in the history of our species. Undefeated for nearly a decade, this MMA (mixed martial arts) hero’s explosive ring style leaves opponents and spectators stunned.

On November 7, Fedor fights American Brett Rogers in Chicago. Rogers has remained undefeated for two years—but will his aggressive fight stand up to Fedor’s thunderous punches and uncanny ability to power out of submission attempts?

Fedor is one of this decade’s most skilled athletes. When you investigate him more closely, it becomes clear that he has set himself up for success. Discipline, a simple routine, the right support network, and calm before the fight are some of the secret ingredients to Fedor’s unparalleled success. Business can learn from his style. Here are ten business lessons that Fedor can impart:

1. Stay calm

Fedor stays calm and stoic before a match, to the point of looking bored. Unlike some of his opponents, he doesn’t get himself pumped up or trash talk before a fight. Instead, he has been known to play cards with his friends. When Fedor enters the ring, he does so with respect. He saves all his energy for the fight.

During Fedor’s fights, that focus pays off. Nobody has proven a match for his explosive speed and power in almost a decade. Moreover, Fedor’s calm demeanor adds to his mystique. It disarms many opponents, giving him an instant advantage. They just can’t read him. It makes them nervous–which is something Fedor benefits from.

2. Focus on the fundamentals

Fedor appears nonchalant and stoic–until he throws a punch. He wastes no energy on appearances. He doesn’t express emotion during fights. By not distributing his energy elsewhere, he is able to focus completely on a fight. And by focusing completely, he is able to use more energy in the fight. And win.

3. Be prepared & disciplined

Fedor knows that a fighter is as good as the work he puts in. He keeps a regular, intense training schedule. He runs five miles in the morning, then wrestles, practices boxing, grappling and sparring, and strengthens by doing pull-ups, crunches, and dips.

He doesn’t take days off. He does everything from start to finish—and devotes himself completely. That takes an incredible amount of discipline and endurance.

This preparation and discipline pays off in the ring, where his focus doesn’t waver.

4. Avoid complacency

When Fedor started fighting, he said that he always felt he could do great. His coach said that he always had raw talent, and learned new things quickly. Fedor was promising from the very beginning.

As he ascended through the MMA ranks, Fedor easily could have grown complacent, relishing his position on the top. But he didn’t. He doesn’t see himself as the best, but as someone who is always growing. He is always getting better. And that attitude keeps him on top.

5. Keep it simple

Fedor adheres to a steady, normal routine. It’s the same basic routine, week in and week out. And it works.

Moreover, he trains virtually in secrecy. His seclusion keeps him from being distracted by fans, fads, and other potential weakeners of the will. Moreover, his seclusion adds to his mystique. He always keeps everyone guessing—in part by staying guarded about his own routine.

His consistency also pays off in the ring, where he remains undefeated.

6. Stay steady in a storm

Fedor stays relaxed and flexible, even in the ring. During his PRIDE fight with Kevin Randleman in 2004, Randleman suplexed Fedor, potentially injuring him. Fedor, however, was so relaxed and flexible that he recovered quickly—and ended up winning the match. He generally looks and acts calm, even in the heat of a fight.

7. Respect everyone

When Fedor fights, he explodes on his opponents. Any opponent has good reason to be scared of him before entering the ring. Yet Fedor is always respectful of his opponents. When he enters a fight, he wishes respect. He doesn’t glare or talk or move around. He’s inert and polite—until he starts hitting.

8. Have the right team

Fedor surrounds himself people he knows well and respects. He trains with longtime grappling, boxing, and Muay Thai coaches. His doctor Oleg Neustroev is also his masseur and psychologist. He is close to his training partners. He also remains close to his friends, who have known him for a long time, and family. He and his priest are also close. His good relationship with his team gives him a tight-knit, steady support network.

9. Be a leader

Fedor’s stellar fighting has inspired millions of fans. But he doesn’t let fame fluff up his ego. Instead, Fedor uses popularity to help others succeed. He enjoys trying to be useful to people. He takes on the role of a mentor instead of a superstar. He teaches classes. Before the Beijing Olympics, he carried the torch for Russia in St. Petersburg. He is exemplary rather than haughty, which proves his strength of character.

10. Live in the present

Fedor knows life can’t be scripted. That’s one reason he stays so relaxed in the ring. He remains present during the fight, allowing him to adapt his moves as the fight unfolds. Staying aware also helps him study his opponent in real-time and react efficiently to situations within the fight. His discipline helps him prepare, his focus concentrates his energy, and his present-moment awareness leaves him prepared for any move.

Whether you’re close enough to retirement to make the 62 vs. 65 debate, or you’re just initiating a 401K, Dr. Thomas Perls’ Living to 100 life expectancy calculator might throw you for a loop. The calculator, associated with a New England-based study on the characteristics of centenarians, estimates your mortal years based on stress levels, health factors, diet, and lifestyle.

When the calculator spat out an estimated dying age of 97 for me–I had myself slated for 80, tops–I took a closer look at current aging trends. The old mid-70s life expectancies for men and women might be a thing of the past. According to a recent study (as reported in the Seattle Times):

Life expectancy has been increasing steadily in developed countries such as the United States, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. If this pace continues, reaching the age of 100 will become ordinary for most people in those countries, according to a report published earlier this month in The Lancet.

The New England study (on which the Living to 100 life calculator is based) found that most centenarians share these characteristics: emotional resilience (ability to adapt to life’s events), self-sufficiency, intellectual activity, a good sense of humor (including about themselves), religious beliefs, strong connections with other people, low blood pressure, appreciation of simple pleasures, a zest for life, don’t currently smoke or drink heavily, may play musical instruments and follow an anti-inflammatory diet (like the Mediterranean diet) that has been linked to longevity. About 80 percent of all Americans over the age of 100 are women and most of them gave birth to children after age 40.

If wages continue to stagnate, developed countries might see a much older workforce than in the past. Imagine retiring at 85, then enjoying your golden years until you’re more than 100 years old. The idea gives new meaning to “planning for retirement.”

With Asian central banks buying up the US dollar in an attempt to arrest its slide, the greenback situation is starting to look sketchier than ever. If you are sitting on a dollar-based savings account, or your portfolio isn’t hedged against dollar weakness, you may be feeling the pinch. Dolans has a good article on how to profit from a weak dollar. Here are four of their tips:

1. Consider investing in U.S. companies that have substantial operations overseas that may be able to take advantage of currency differences. Their products or services may be cheaper due to a weaker dollar. That should mean increased sales and higher profits.

2. Look at international stock (large-cap and emerging markets) and bond mutual funds for a portion of your portfolio. Check with Morningstar to see how well those international funds have performed. Limit your selections to funds that have done well for at least the past 5-7 years.

On this subject, MarketWatch says:

Most investment advisers recommend committing a minimum of 15% of a total portfolio outside of the U.S., including 12% to developed areas and 3% to emerging markets.

3. Although gold is approaching all-time highs (the all-time high was hit on March 18, 2008 when it almost touched $1034/oz.), consider investing a small percentage (5%-10%) of your portfolio in mutual funds or ETFs that invest in gold and precious metals. Gold is priced in dollars, so people tend to buy it when the dollar is weak because they get more bang for their buck. Increased demand drives the price higher.

4. Learning more about international CDs and hard currency money market funds that bet against the U.S. dollar. For illustrative purposes only, a couple of places to start are www.money-rates.com/intsavings.htm and the Merk Hard Currency Fund at www.merkfund.com.

This advice is general, and needs to be weighted against your own common sense. However, it’s worth thinking about if you feel like your portfolio hasn’t yet been adapted for the dollar’s slide.

GM Motors will sell a 55% stake in Opel and Vauxhall to Russian bank Skerbank and Canadian auto supplier Magna. CNNMoney reports:

Under the plan, Magna, along with Russia’s Sberbank, will take over 55% of Opel. Opel employees will own another 10%, leaving GM with just 35% of Adam Opel GmbH, an automaker GM has owned since 1929, except for a period during Germany’s Nazi era.

Opel, based in Russelsheim, Germany, employs 25,000 people in Germany and another 25,000 elsewhere.

GM will retain a 35% stake in Opel.

It’s hard to explain what about these strangers makes your gut churn. But, if you have a queasy reaction about a certain job or individual, your intuition could be trying to tell you something useful. Like, don’t work with that person!

Still–what if this odd-feeling client comes along just when you need business? Or they offer you an easy job for lots of money? It’s hard to say no when someone offers to pad your pocketbook.

Is there a way to both respect your intuition and the financial health of your business?

The answer is yes. I recently found four excellent questions that you can ask yourself if you have a bad “gut feel” about a new client. Tamara Suttle, M.Ed., LPC, a psychotherapist and marketing expert, shared these questions on a forum I frequent. I wanted to repost them because I found them so incredibly useful. She writes them from the standpoint of a psychotherapist, but I found them handy for anyone in a service profession:

1. How did you find me?

The answer to that could be very telling. And if it’s not, you still get marketing wisdom out of it.

2. Have you ever worked with a _____________ (fill in profession) before?

“If they are new to the profession,” says Suttle, “then I’ll probably to need to do more basic or thorough education about how things work.”

3. Did you find it useful?

“If they’ve had good experiences before, I would like to know what they are so that I understand better what they like. (I’m always curious why they didn’t return to that professional),” says Suttle.

4. What did/didn’t work for you with that professional?

“If they’ve had bad experiences, I don’t want to step into the same holes. I may need to do so proactive work to rebuild trust in the profession and correct misassumptions or expectations. If possible, I want to know how they handled the bad experiences – assertively, passive-aggressively, filed a lawsuit, etc.

This conversation takes place with every potential client’s phone call . . . right after I ask “How did you find me?” and I know it has saved me many a headache! If my red flags start flying, I’m referring that one elsewhere!”

Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed., LPC has maintained a private clinical practice since 1991 and founded Private Practice from the Inside Out in 2003. She has spent almost 20 years consulting and teaching marketing strategies to health care professionals like you. You can learn more about her clinical practice at her website. Or check out her blog, All Things Private Practice.

The LA Times reports on B of A’s plan to close up to 10% of its branch locations:

Bank of America spokesman James Mahoney told the Associated Press today that the nation’s largest bank is working on a branch closure plan. The strategy was discussed by Chief Executive Ken Lewis and another bank executive in an investors meeting last week in Charlotte, N.C., where the bank is based.

“The fact is that an increasing number of consumers, especially younger ones, and businesses rarely go to branches anyway. By maintaining and growing its mobile and online offerings, BofA should be able to retain such consumers as customers,” said Red Gillen, senior analyst with Celent, a Boston-based financial research and consulting firm.

Not to mention that B of A has grossly overexpanded during the past 8 years, making this a move of necessity.