Today's number: 4.53%

Seasonally adjusted percentage of mortgage payments 30 or more days past due for all home loans in the fourth quarter of last year, down from 4.66 percent in the third quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America said.

The Associated Press

Today's mover

Kristen Wahlke has joined Loren/Allan/Odioso as account executive. Wahlke will take on account management duties within the agency's expanding client base. She will contribute to existing campaigns and assist with managing the day-to-day account activities for agency clients. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee.

Shirley Dees

Today's career talk

Worried about Web surfing in those cubicles where workers spent their days? Maybe it's better to let them surf, Business 2.0 says. A Vault.com study found that 47 percent of employees spend at least a half hour daily cruising the Web. But measure that against worker absenteeism, which in 2002 stood at 21 percent. Perhaps employees wouldn't bug out if they could take care of these problems from the office.

John Eckberg

Today's money tip

A new savers tax credit of up to $1,000 per person is available to low income taxpayers who contribute to a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan during 2002 to 2006.

Amy Higgins

Today's Company: Belle Maison

Best Of Market: April marks the two-year anniversary of this East Hyde Park gift and home decor shop. To stock her boutique, owner Anne Glossinger scouts the major markets in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Belle Maison carries furnishings, accessories, jewelry, baby gifts and fragrances.

Floral Fantasies: The shop's fresh and custom-designed silk floral arrangements are popular with customers for special occasions or dinner parties. Lead floral designer Robert Lee has won Cincinnati Flower Show medals in the Professional Floral and Dramatic Table Setting categories. Flower Show winner Sue Brungs, formerly of the West Side's Old Greenhouse, has decorated tables at the Maisonette and Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996. Glossinger is an award-winning gardener.

Professional Tips: The Belle Maison staff conduct workshops on flower arranging, topiaries, crafts and gardening.

Spring Special: The shop will host a Fairy Festival May 3-4 featuring a magical woodland garden, Erie Ave. costume parade, storytelling, prizes and refreshments.

Jenny Callison