Among the oldest human art forms, bead making dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where glass beads were fashioned from clay with a vitreous coating. In 1500 B.C., the traditional mosaic methods of bead making were developed. Glass bead making's three major eras occurred in Egypt, Rome and the Eastern Mediterranean.

A credit report is not only a person's borrowing history, it provides a score rating used by a lender to help determine whether an individual qualifies for a loan, credit card or service. In short, credit scores exist to aide a company or bank in estimating the amount of risk it incurs by lending money to a potential borrower. The higher the score, the less risk a person represents.

These days, many people are looking for practical, effective ways to not only get the most out of their dollar, but also increase savings for a rainy day. It's recommended that households have an average reserve of at least three months' worth of income put aside in case of emergency or loss of a job.

Created as a formula to determine the odds borrowers will repay loans on time, credit scores are a relatively new invention. Developed in 1988 by Fair Issac Corp, the FICO score condenses information from a credit report into a single number used by banks and creditors to determine the ability of a borrower to take on potential debt and repay it in a timely manner.

Access to information and entertainment, credit and financial services, and products from every corner of the world is greater than earlier generations could ever have imagined.

The process of Internet banking is much similar to conventional banking. The major difference is that online bank is more convenient and processes take place by means of your computer and an Internet connection.

When it comes to holiday shopping, consumers are cutting back this season, using cash more often, and looking for the best deals. But before heading out the door to the nearest mall or major retailer, perhaps the best approach is to create a spending plan that will not only keep the debt Grinch out of the season, it will help keep life simple and sane.

For most people, purchasing a home is the largest investment they will ever make. For those who have taken the plunge, they understand it is a complex endeavor which requires preparation and education. Since a home could cost 25 to 45 percent of one's gross income, it's important to conduct research and ask questions.

There was a day when personal banking required a trip to the bank, standing in often long lines, and making a transaction via a bank teller. Money was accessible only at a brick and mortar location. Any financial needs not taken care of by the end of the business day would have to wait until the next.

One of the joys of the year's end is rankings and retrospectives. You know--The Best Movies, The Best Books. The Year's Most Heartrending Moments. The Best And Worst-Dressed.