I drove by the Cabin John Center yesterday after work to see if China Gourmet Bistro was having its Grand Opening as planned. The new sign was in place and there were six large bouquets of flowers and balloons set-up outside. This would be the third Chinese Restaurant in this location since we moved to West Bethesda in 2005.

Real estate agents and mortgage lenders will tell you not to buy a car in between the ratification of a purchase contract on a home and the day of settlement. Changing your credit situation during that period of time can have a huge impact on your home financing. So, when is the best time to go car shopping? Fellow consumer advocate, Mike Rabkin of From Car To Finish is the guest blogger here to answer that question.

Have you ever gone to a restaurant where everyone else seems to be a regular? The manager and wait staff greet each customer by name and appear to know all about them and each member of their party. Have you been to a place like that recently? I have.