Buenos Aires, Argentina “What’s that smell?”  We were on an airplane when Edward, 15, noticed an odor that seemed out of place. “Dad…you should have at least cleaned your boots!”

It’s time to call the global crisis what it is: the worst financial collapse since 1929. That’s no surprise to subscribers of The Casey Report, who have been amply warned over the last five years. But now even government officials, after trying to ignore the facts on the ground for the last couple of years, are admitting the truth of the matter.

If you can stomach a roller-coaster year in stock markets, Justice Litle says small caps will offer the biggest profit opportunities in 2009. Most suffered heavy losses in 2008, and are available at bargain prices. Justice gives six reasons why small caps should lead any rally this year.

If you’re thinking of getting back into stocks, it’s better to arrive late than too early says Ben Traynor. Yes, losses this year have been spectacular. And the temptation to bargain hunt is strong. But Ben says investors should remember that they still have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lose a lot of money very quickly.