Today I’ve got answers to questions from readers about tax preparers, inflation hedges and student loans. Q: Jonathan P. asks, “Between the increasing national debt, looming Social Security insolvency, out-of-control Medicare expenses, Iraq war costs and the falling dollar, I have a fear that we will eventually face high or even hyper-inflation. Where is a good place to invest to protect yourself from this contingency?” A: Stephen Cecchetti, a professor at Brandeis International...

Canada Post is planning to cancel home delivery to nearly half of its customers along some rural routes in Quebec’s Eastern Townships because of road safety concerns.

The postal agency is evaluating the safety of mail routes across Canada, after three carriers died and 37 were injured while making deliveries since 2005.

Nearly 40 per cent of the routes examined in the Eastern Townships have failed the safety evaluation, because they present a hazard to carriers forced to stop on winding roads with high speed limits.

“Sometimes, because the shoulder is very narrow, [the carrier] has to stop on the road,” and that’s risky, said Canada Post spokeswoman Line Brien.

Community postboxes will replace individual deliveries on routes that failed to make the grade, Brien said.

The decision has angered many residents in the area.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Alcide Hartly, who lives in Stanstead. “What with the taxes that we pay now, I think your mail should be left in front of your house, like it always have been, instead of you having to drive to town or way off somewhere to get your mail. You should cut the taxes down but they never will.”

Canada Post estimates it will cost about $500 million over the next three years to inspect all rural mailboxes in Canada.

About843,000 Canadian residential addresses are served by rural mailboxes, Canada Post says on its website. Of the 14 million places where Canada Post delivers across the country, ruralmailboxes representabout six per cent.

Vocus, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand software for public relations management, announced today that it will provide a live web cast of its analyst day meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, from approximately 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET from its headquarters in Lanham, Maryland. Lanham, MD («www.vocus.com» ) November 30, 2007 — Vocus, Inc., (NASDAQ: VOCS) a leading provider of on-demand software for...