I've had two cars stolen in my lifetime -- one back during the "gas crisis" in 1974 and last night during the "economic downturn." They broke into our garage to steal it and almost all my husband's power tools. Since we're just about to start a major house fixing project, this is a double whammy -- we were counting on using those tools to do most of the work ourselves.

I left for work and my husband called the police. Just as the Boston police were finishing up their report, a Brookline police car pulls up. The office says, "Let me guess. You're Mr. ______________, aren't you. We found your car." My husband breathed a sigh of relief. Then found out that the news wasn't so good. When they found it, it was fully engulfed in flames.

Bummer.