$7.5 million for the Business.com URL. But now decent business names are in short supply, and even the owner of lackluster InternationalBankLoans.com dares to ask $1.35 million. The good news? Plenty of business-oriented names remain available. The bad news - choices like these:
1GoodDeal.com
2GetRich.net
4ANestEgg.com
BuySuccess.com
CreateAbundance.com
DollarsNSense.com
DollarRushTime.com
EarnADime.com
Hello2WallStreet.com
MoneyIsMyFriend.com
PaymentsByEmail.com
SpeculateHere.com
Sources: domainnames-forsale.net, insanedomains.com, urlmerchant.com
FACE-OFF
Can You Spot the Expert?
Sure, the stock market spent most of 2000 in a serious funk, but nothing that the superstar analysts of Wall Street couldn't predict, right? Not quite. Last year the pros got slammed, but the best amateur analysts on financial site iExchange.com turned a handy profit. Here's a look at how some top amateurs fared against their famous counterparts:
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TAX TIME
Paper or Plastic?
The IRS wants you to give it a little credit. Really. In an attempt to buff up its less-than-user-friendly image, the tax agency now accepts MasterCard, Discover and American Express. So you can charge your debt to the government and rack up frequent-flier miles at the same time.
Here's the hitch: The credit card option is available only to those who file their taxes online. Last year, about 180,000 people paid with plastic, and the IRS hopes the number will grow. Turns out that taking credit payments online is the easiest way for Uncle Sam to collect his due. "We don't have to process a check, and fewer people have to handle paper," says IRS spokesman Bill Steiner. "You get validation and payment confirmation within 24 hours."
Of course, consumers get other perks - like the chance to pay off their tax bill in installments to the credit card company. If you haven't got the dough, credit is the way to go, since companies are unlikely to seize property, garnish wages or dole out jail time - as the IRS does to tax evaders.
So far, the biggest attraction for MasterCard holders is convenience, says company VP Lisa Brzezicki, who happily points out that not all credit card companies can offer the tax-payment service: The IRS doesn't accept Visa. / Blair Clarkson
Credit History
America's love affair with plastic has been 50 years in the making.
1950 Diners Club issues the first credit card: a thick paper token used in 14 Manhattan restaurants.
1958 American Express debuts. Attracts 250,000 cardholders. A year later, the card goes plastic.
1972 American Express introduces the magnetic strip.
1987 U.S. airlines offer credit cards to frequent fliers, allowing them to rack up miles with their purchases.
1990 Exxon and Mobil gas stations let customers "pay at the pump."
1997 NextCard begins issuing credit cards online. Grocery chains begin accepting Visa and MasterCard.
2000 More than three-quarters of the United States' 200 million adults carry credit cards.
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Correction: "Paper or Plastic?" incorrectly limited IRS tax payments by credit card to online filers. In fact, the agency also accepts credit card payments over the telephone. |
