Petra

It seems to be a sign of good financial habits if you balance your checkbook every month - but what does that really mean?

I'm from Europe and I haven't written out a check in almost 20 years. I don't even know whether they still exist. Everything is by wire transfer here. And while I know what it means to write or cash a check, I don't know what "balancing a checkbook" refers to. What is it you are supposed to do?

I wonder what my credit rating in the U.S. or Canada would be. I'm thinking about temporarily moving there, to find a rental property and maybe for an internship. So I would not have a North American credit rating. I do have assets in Europe, though (two rental apartments). Would these be counted as assets? And at what price, since they are appraised in Euros?

Hi there,

I can't get that episode of X-Files out of my mind. Mulder was living in a one-bedroom-apartment in New York at that time, I guess to investigate something. (It was not his "real" home.) And there was this grille that connected his room to the room next door. It was a metal grille, about 5 by 20 cm, and you could see the light in the next room. You could also look through, and the neighbor's smoke came through. Of course you could also hear every word.

And I'd like to know: Are there really any rooms like this in New York? Or did they invent it?

Hello,

I'm planning to go to Beijing in August and reserved rooms at two hotels. However, I'm not sure it because I've never been to China.

These are the hotels I booked:

Citytel Inn Hotel Beijing at Nanheyan St., Dongcheng District (near the forbidden city) from August 7 to August 11 for CNY 198 per night.

Tai Mu Shan at 4 Hongong Lane, Dongzongbu Rd. from August 17 to August 18 for CNY 319 per night. I decided on this hotel because it allows for an early check-in.

Do you think these hotels are ok? Are they safe? I'm worried about my luggage. Are they quiet? This is very important to me. ... And is the price ok?

Do you think it would be better to book a hotel in a different area?

And how much do you think it would cost me to get to the airport by taxi? I never take taxis and am totally unfamiliar with this. But this time, I have to because my flight arrives late and leaves early.

Any advice is appreciated.

Hi there,

I'll have the opportunity to explore Dubai in August as I can book a stopover on my way to China at no cost and 36 hours is visa-free.

So I'd like to know what to expect. How hot will it be? Can I walk for a couple of blocks, or would that be unadvisable? ... I like the heat and have been in New York and Madrid in August. That was not a problem for me. So what do you think - will walking around Dubai be ok, or should I plan to take a taxi everywhere?

How about public transportation? Is there only the metro, or are there any buses?

And what are some cool things to see? My hotel will be in the city center, I'll be on my own, and I'd like to see a spectacular mall and one cultural thing. Not sure what, though.

Does anyone know more of the Pan Am flights from New York to Europe? What I've found out so far: They were taken up in June 1939, and after the outbreak of WW2, only one flight was kept: New York - Bermuda - Azores - Lisbon. I have a .pdf of a Pan Am timetable for June-August 1941, which still lists that flight.

I would like to know more about it. Did this connection exist throughout WW2? What did the aircrafts look like? And the airports? Do you think passenger lists still exist, and do you think I would be given access to them? Someone told me that there were lists at the Richter Library in Miami, Fl.

I'm really unsure where to find more information about this as Pan Am doesn't exist any more. Maybe you know something.

How long would it take to program a Facebook game (something like Farm Ville or Monster World) and what programming language would be used?