The summer 2010 issue of brass is hot off the press!

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$10 Million Underdogs: Inner-city high school team battles to build the ultimate hybrid car
From the grit and grime of a high school auto shop, one group of students from West Philadelphia is challenging the expectations of a generation. The last thing sponsors, contestants and the press expected to see in a large-scale, international automotive competition was an inner-city high school team. What seems like a giant leap in the eyes of their competitors is just the next step for a team that has been kicking tail for more than a decade. These students do all their own research, use off-the-shelf technology, and operate under what is possibly the tightest budget in the competition.

Moving Up: Weighing whether to rent or buy
Buying a house is a life-changing experience. It requires an immense investment of time and money, and is a weighty commitment. If you're looking for fewer strings attached and less financial responsibility, try renting. That's the simple version. When you actually sit down to decide between renting and buying, here's what you need to know.

The Great Indoors: Reaping the harvest of an indoor garden
Regardless of whether or not you have a green thumb, indoor gardening is a great hobby that can save money on herbs and vegetables.

Understanding Credit Reports: Maintain your reputation
The loan officer keys your application information into the computer, but you're thinking of the new ride you're going to buy. Those thoughts are interrupted when the loan officer drops the bomb. You don't qualify for a loan; your credit report has too many negative events. Poof--the shiny red dream car disappears and you walk out of the office empty-handed and disappointed. Everyone who has ever had a loan or a credit card has a credit report (as you discovered), and the contents of that report can impact your financial plans for years.

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