The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by half a point to 3 percent, the second cut in nine days, and indicated its willingness to do so again to prevent a U.S. recession. More

Dear Dave, I’ve got the opportunity to take over my father’s small engine shop. He’s semi-retired and doesn’t make a lot with it, but he’s got about $10,000 to $20,000 in inventory already stocked. He might even just turn it over to me, but I’d have to expand it to really make a living. How can I do this and avoid going into debt? More

Purchases of new homes in the U.S. unexpectedly fell to a 12-year low in December, ending the worst sales year since records began in 1963 and signaling little prospect for a recovery. More

The writing on the wall can’t get any clearer for the Nashville Sounds. More

Country singer Barbara Mandrell’s former Whites Creek mansion has new owners as a new CMT reality series Gone Country premieres this evening from the residence. More

One of Nashville’s largest law firms is losing a leader but local health care entrepreneurs are getting a beefier source for private equity. More

Ralph Davis is leaving Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis to become a partner in a Chicago private investment firm that includes former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. More

Dear Dave, I’ve heard you tell people that having $90,000 to $100,000 saved up for retirement isn’t enough. That’s what I’ve got set aside right now, and I’m pretty sure it’s all I’ll ever need. Why do you think everyone should have a million or two saved up? — Tom More

All new Metro buildings over a certain size have to be more energy-efficient under a law the Metro Council passed last year, but it’s private development that is leading the way. More

Ray Dayal and his partners are banking on hitting a market for mid-priced hotel rooms in the Music Valley area. More