Blog Posts by CNBC

By Jessica Rao, CNBC.com

Thinking about scrapping it all to start a goat cheese farm in Maine? Even if you just want to switch jobs at your company, career change can be daunting. Whether you've been laid off or you crave more satisfaction, looking for a position doing something you've never done before invariably comes with second-guessing: No one will give me a chance. I'm too old. I've done this forever. I can't do anything else.

By Daniel Bukszpan, CNBC.com

In 2010, a study by the National Vital Statistics Report and the U.S. Census Bureau was released. It calculated the number of divorces by state, and it found that married couples in Massachusetts stayed together the most, with only 1.8 marriages dissolved for every 1,000 people.

As for the states whose rates of divorce were the highest, some of the results might be surprising. Many are in areas of the country traditionally believed to be socially conservative. However, a closer look at the data shows that that's not a determining factor keeping most couples together.

More from CNBC:
10 Most Divorced States
Top 10 Cities for Bachelors
Top 10 Most Diverse Cities in America

According to the studies, one of the most common reasons for divorce is financial stress. Many states with the highest rates of divorce are in areas hardest hit by the recession, and its hardships cause divorce rates to rise. And while some states have a protracted legal process that couples

By Daniel Bukszpan, CNBC.com

James Ivory and the late Ismail Merchant were male life partners who were together for more than 40 years. They were also the filmmakers responsible for such popular and acclaimed films as "Howard's End" and "The Remains of the Day," both of which were well-received by critics and earned back over three times their production budgets at the box office.
For his work on their films, Ivory won several awards and was nominated for eight Oscars. For his part, Merchant was known for an ability to bring in his elaborate period films for considerably less than it cost his contemporaries when they tried to do the same. Together, they enjoyed a personal and professional relationship that was successful on both fronts for more than 40 years, making them a true power couple.




As time passes and laws relax, homosexuality itself is becoming less and less socially stigmatized. More gay couples are making their presence known than ever before, and what the general public

By Jill Weinberger, CNBC.com

How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?

Recently, eccentric rocker Ozzy Osbourne paid $10,000 in an auction for an eight-week old Yorkshire terrier. Pricey? Not compared to the price tags of some of the pets out there. In fact, Ozzy was lucky to have paid so little. Just like with cars, purses, and jewelry, people with deep pockets will spend outrageous sums of money on animals.

The reasoning behind these purchases can vary from investing in the animal's DNA and their breeding prospects, to owning a unique creature, or for simple companionship. To get an idea of how expensive pets can be, CNBC.com looked into some of the most expensive animals that have been sold or that can be purchased. Osbourne's $10,000 pup may start to look like a drop in the bucket.
So, what are some of the most expensive animals out there?

Ashera Cat

Price: $22,950

The Ashera cat can be described as a mini-leopard and is developed by crossing two exotic feline bloodlines-the African

By Paul Toscano, CNBC.com

From Apple Stores to Theme Parks

China has become known as the epicenter for producing a wide variety of counterfeit and bootlegged consumer products, but a trend has emerged over the past few years of faking full retail operations.

A relatively new phenomenon, these rogue counterfeit businesses are a problem for companies that are trying to establish a brand image in China's emerging economy. While some of these operations sell actual products from the legitimate companies, many simply copy the retail format, right down to even the colors and slogans. Other forms of this type of counterfeiting have followed in the wake of major consumer trends, where illegally copying products, brands, or intellectual property of successful companies has turned into big business in China.

More From CNBC:
10 Business Fakes Made in China
10 Ideas That Made $100 Million
10 Popular Counterfeit Goods

So, what are some examples of retail operations and major brands that have been

By Sharon Epperson, CNBC.com

My father had a plan to tackle nearly every situation. I didn't realize what a truly generous and lasting gift that would be until he was gone.

Six weeks ago, my mother called me with the unexpected news. All she could say, "It's not good." She was at a Pittsburgh hospital with my father who had a cardiac arrest while at a meeting. A hospital chaplain took the phone to explain the worst had happened. "Your father has passed," he said.

My dad, who was 76, had suffered from health problems over the past few years. Yet he led an active life in recent months, engaged on the boards of several non-profit organizations in retirement. He and my mom, who is 74, had also spent a significant amount of time planning for the inevitable - their deaths. By making some important decisions while living, my father helped to lessen the overwhelming stress of coping with sudden loss.

Fortunately, while emotionally devastating, dealing with my father's death has not been

By Michelle Fox, CNBC.com

Ever wonder what life would be like if you lived in Willy Wonka's world? Think chocolate rooms, clothing and even a car.

We did, so we scoured the globe to find some of the most amazing things made of chocolate. What we found were some chocolate makers who let their imaginations run wild, creating some truly unique edible objects that may surprise you. And you don't have to be a chocoholic to appreciate these finer things in life.

More from CNBC:
9 Amazing Things Made of Chocolate
America's Favorite Chocolates
10 Outrageously Expensive Fast Foods

Check out these incredible chocolate creations.

Petras Malukas | AFP | Getty ImagesRoom
Made of chocolate from floor to ceiling, this 183- square-foot "Chocolate Room" made shoppers drool when they encountered it at a shopping center in Lithuania. Seven artists used 611 pounds of chocolate to create the walls and decor, which was on display for Valentine's Day. And while those passing by may have been tempted, they weren't allowed to taste it.






Photo: Theobroma Cacao

By Michelle Fox, CNBC.com

It should come as no surprise that Americans have a sweet tooth. According to SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago market research firm, people in the U.S. spent more than $7 billion for individual-sized chocolate candy bars, bags and boxes in just one year.
But where is the bulk of that money going? Here, we take a look at those best-selling individual-sized chocolate candies that are satisfying America's sugar fix. What you'll find is that oldies are still goodies - many of the top ten have been around since before World War II.


More from CNBC:
America's Favorite Chocolates
10 Outrageously Expensive Fast Foods
America's Top Cities for Foodies

And while we're looking at individual-sized chocolate candies under 3.5 ounces, we would be remiss if we didn't mention other sales toppers. Russell Stover is number one when it comes to gift chocolate boxes, Tic Tacs is the best selling non-chocolate candy, and Wrigley's is tops when it comes to regular gum sales.

Now,