In Brief

By Anamaria Wilson

NEED A RIDE? With gas prices rising, carpooling looks increasingly appealing. Now, with RideBoard.com you can find people who share your travel needs. If you've got a road trip, a concert or a sporting event in mind or if you just need to add more people to your daily pool, you can post your destinations on the site--along with any restrictions you may have, such as a preference for nonsmokers or a gender requirement. A safe method of contact is promised when you find a match. Best part? It's free to find someone going your way.

E-POST Refusing to be bested by online bill-paying sites, the U.S. Postal Service has rolled out its own eBillPay at its website USPS.com Sign up, and the first six months are free. You'll be able to receive and pay bills electronically. If any biller won't accept electronic payments, the Postal Service will send a paper check for you. So save your stamps for real letters.

ONLINE BILL PAYING FEES

Monthly Fee Max. No. of Payments

USPSeBillPay $6.00 20 PayMyBills $8.95 25 PayTrust $8.95 25 StatusFactory $8.95 30

Other fee plans available. Fees do not include promotions.

PET PERKS Companies are discovering the wisdom of improving their benefits to lure and keep employees. Lately, some have even begun to provide health insurance for their workers' pets. It makes sense: since Americans spend about $12 billion a year on medical services for their dogs, cats, etc., a little insurance help can be a nice bonus for owners. While this particular perk isn't commonplace yet, companies from Ralston Purina to Mirage Resorts are offering it.

--By Anamaria Wilson