Business & Technology, business and economy, science and technology, consumer issues, personal finance, business

2011 NISSAN JUKE SV

TYPE: Front-drive, four-door, five-passenger, compact wagon.

PRICE: $20,760.

WHERE BUILT: Oppama, Japan.

KEY RIVALS: Mazda 3, Mini Cooper, Toyota Matrix, Scion tC, Suzuki SX4.

POWER: 1.6-liter, 188 horsepower, direct injection gasoline turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; continuously variable automatic transmission.

Cruising British Columbia's Sunshine Coast in the Nissan Juke quickly reveals the raison d'etre of the sporty compact wagon launching this fall.

With a stubby, wave-like profile and friendly face, the Juke attracts plenty of attention, particularly from the targeted young, male drivers.

A large percentage of borrowers who left college in the past four years made no principal payments on their federally guaranteed student loans in 2009, according to the Department of Education.

This is the first time the department has calculated and published repayment rates for every college and university whose students get federal loans.

If you are in the midst of a protracted employment search, it's critical to remain focused and disciplined. But don't forget the value of taking an occasional break.

As summer winds down, plan to participate in some fun, stress-free activities. A few days "off the hunt" can help you recharge, gain perspective and maybe even devise some creative new job search strategies.

"Metroid: Other M"

Platform: Wii

Genre: Action

Publisher: Nintendo

ESRB Rating: T, for Teen

Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)

Many companies won't hand out raises or bonuses this year. Many will ask their workers to do extra work to pick up the slack for colleagues who have been laid off.

Dear Debt Adviser,

My question is whether or not to pay off my house. It would wipe out my CDs. I have an emergency fund of $2,000. Is this a good idea? I live fine on my Social Security income.

-- Sharon

Dear Sharon,

The smart phone, that Swiss Army Knife of the digital age, is liberating pockets around the globe from cameras, calendars, maps and music players.

Could the wallet be next?

The government will launch a refinance program next month that targets homeowners who are under water on their mortgage but have not missed a monthly payment.

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Short Refinance option is aimed at helping responsible homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than their house is worth because their local markets saw large declines in home values.

Some homeowners underwater on their home loan -- meaning they owe more on the mortgage than the home's current value -- are turning to "strategic defaults" in which they simply walk away from mortgage debt.

But financial experts warn that the cost of skipping out on mortgage debt can be high.