Gender finances

The Mars-Venus debate about male and female differences may rage forever. A survey of 1,000 investors demonstrates how we differ when it comes to money.

Keeping secrets: 26 percent of women and 24 percent of men said cash was the No. 1 issue they're likely to hide from their spouse. We lie about spending, too -- 20 percent of men said they'd hide "entertainment" purchases from a spouse, and 16 percent said they'd hide spending on electronics. For women, 23 percent said they'd hide clothes purchases, followed by 19 percent who cited sneaky food buying.

What if you could have more time or money? Sixty percent of women said the money, compared to 54 percent of men.

Men also seem to make investment decisions, while women handle the routine financial chores. When it comes to buying and selling stocks for the family, 44 percent of men handle that duty, compared to 25 percent of women. But women were more likely to say they pay the bills (60 percent), balance the checkbook (67 percent) and mind the family budget (54 percent).

The survey was conducted for mutual fund company OppenheimerFunds Inc.

Worthy credit

It's a rough time for many credit card borrowers. Interest rates are rising, banks are looking to squeeze extra profit from each account and the industry's "grace periods" have contracted in very ungraceful ways.

The November issue of Consumer Reports magazine summarizes many of the new pitfalls for card holders and offers a few tips to navigate this treacherous fiscal landscape.

Research card offers closely. The lowest rate is just one of numerous factors to weigh, including grace periods.

Consider credit union cards. These financial institutions typically feature lower fees and interest rates, according to a July 2005 survey by the Woodstock Institute cited by the magazine.

Pay on time. Mail your payment when you get your bill. Miss a payment or forget to get it there on time and the banks tend to revel in the fees and penalties they'll assess you.

Request a better rate. Many, if not most, banks will lower your rate if you have a good payment history, decent credit score and spend regularly.

Complain. Calling the card issuer can help if you have a fee or rate hike.

Walk away. The bank wants you to keep borrowing, and they never forget you can take your business elsewhere. You should remember that, too.

Coffee cravings

You're possibly a junkie. Every morning first thing, you gotta have it.

But regular coffee is becoming passe for many Americans, who are flocking to flavored concoctions.

Nearly 80 percent of 1,032 people in a survey last month said they had a flavored drink over the past two weeks. Even more startling, some people (19 percent) said they'd give up sex before coffee, and 22 percent said they'd skip exercise before the java.

The survey also found that Northeasterners and those in the West drink more flavored coffee.

Most of us do coffee in the morning, with 87 percent saying they take a coffee break before lunch. The survey last month was conducted for Dunkin' Donuts Inc., based in Canton, Mass.