Don't miss these top stories:

Is it time for a cash-only regime? Or should we teach our kids everything we can about the current financial system, including the use of credit, so they know how to protect their finances when they're out on their own?

Parents will have all kinds of answers to those questions. Read Ruth Mantell's story today for a look at what some financial experts have to say on the topic.

For my teenager, a debit card has proved very helpful in tracking spending, thanks to our bank's helpful monthly reports. But a credit card? Not likely. Not yet, at least. Still, we've talked extensively about credit -- mainly about the steep price of it.

But no matter your point of view on credit versus cash, failing to at least talk about credit cards -- or pretending they don't exist and won't tempt your child when he's off at college and then entering the work force -- is like playing with fire.

-- Andrea Coombes, Personal Finance editor

Should our kids carry credit cards?

There's never been a better time to teach your children how to manage money. As lawmakers debate how to reform the nation's banking system and news stories detail the travails of Americans who took on too much debt, parents can point to the current economy as a way to talk to kids about the risks of credit.

See story on should our kids carry credit cards?

SMALL BUSINESS

Tips to keep your business safe from online criminals

A man walks into a bank with the intention to rob it. He slips a note to the teller who then turns to him and says, "You know you can do this online now." That punch line is how John Walp describes the cyber-threat epidemic.

See story on tips to keep your business safe from online criminals.

INVESTING

Commentary: Consequences of high volatility

That the market has experienced extraordinary volatility this month there can be no doubt.

See Mark Hulbert.

Commentary: Financial experts push the envelope on reform

As Securities & Exchange Commission Chairwoman Mary Schapiro talked Tuesday morning about "creating a system of high-quality, globally accepted accounting standards that benefit American investors and investors around the world," her audience was focused on better ways to skin the cat.

See MarketWatch First Take.

SEC to propose unified stock-halt system

In the wake of the stock market's recent one-day plunge, top regulators and stock-exchange officials are expected to propose the creation of a circuit-breaker system for all exchanges to halt or slow down trades during a massive market swing, according to people familiar with the measure.

See story on SEC to propose unified stock-halt system.

Commentary: 12 ways to cash in on the collapse of 'Eaarth'

Imagine a secret society, code name "Avatar 2154," based on the date of the "War of 2154" between the "Sec-Ops" armies from "Eaarth," funded by the "Resources Development Corporation," against the "Na'vi" indigenous tribes on the Pandora moon.

See Paul B. Farrell.

Managers pulled out of equities on growth shock: survey

Fund managers pulled out of equities and revised down their outlook for global growth in May, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch's monthly fund managers' survey.

See story on managers pulled out of equities.

ECONOMY & POLITICS

Commentary: Gas prices rise but don't always fall

The price of crude oil has fallen almost $18 to $70 a barrel -- the lowest level since last July -- yet gasoline prices have remained stubbornly high.

See Irwin Kellner.

BP ignored siphon-pipe suggestion weeks ago

An offshore-oil consultant suggested that BP PLC use a mile-long pipe to minimize damage from its big leak in the Gulf of Mexico weeks before the company reported some success with the technique.

See story on BP ignored siphon-pipe suggestion weeks ago.

Incumbents put to the test in Tuesday primaries

Voters went to the polls Tuesday in a handful of hotly contested primary races that will help gauge the depth of Americans' anger at Washington veterans, with the political careers of two of President Barack Obama's Senate allies on the line.

See story on incumbents put to the test in Tuesday primaries.

Measure banning bailouts to states is rejected

A measure that would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to bailout state or local governments that are at risk of defaulting was rejected by the Senate on Tuesday.

See story on measure banning bailouts to states is rejected.

Housing starts up 5.8% but permits plunge 11.5%

U.S. housing starts increased for the second straight month in April, the government estimated Tuesday, but building permits fell sharply, casting doubts on the momentum of the housing recovery as a federal subsidy to stimulate buyers expires.

See Economic Report.

Senate takes steps toward wrapping up bank bill this week

Democratic leaders took a major step pressing ahead with a bill to overhaul the U.S. banking system late Monday, setting the stage for a vote on final Senate passage of the legislation for as soon as Thursday.

See story on Senate takes steps toward wrapping up bank bill this week.

Gulf oil spill to be the subject of commission

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will be the subject of a presidential commission similar to panels created to probe the space shuttle Challenger disaster and the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, according to a report Monday.

See story on gulf oil spill to be the subject of commission.