A Week's Worth: Quick takes on the world of work and money.

Parents would rather talk to kids about sex than finances, homeremodeling falters, thinking about an April Fool's prank? Think again.

A two-week rally by the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended last week with the index losing 1.2 percent of its value at Friday's close.

Considering yourself a financially savvy parent and passing your knowledge along to your children are vastly different matters, says investment giant Charles Schwab. Seventy-eight percent of respondents to its annual survey of parents on the subject said they believe they're good financial role models. But only 34 percent had taught their kids how to balance a checkbook. Sixty-nine percent said they're more comfortable discussing sex with a son or daughter than offering guidance on investing.

With housing prices still slumping, homeowners apparently are questioning the value of investing in remodeling projects, a new nationwide survey has found. Ninety-two percent of respondents to the Remodeling Sentiment Report by Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Remodelestimates.com said current market conditions are affecting their thinking on whether to make modifications. The overwhelming concern: cost.

That April Fool's prank you're thinking of pulling at the office probably isn't a good idea, a survey by the Creative Group (a specialized staffing service) has found. Even light-hearted tricks were deemed inappropriate by 71 percent of senior managers polled. More mean-spirited pranks, a Creative Group executive says, can damage professional reputations and even career prospects.

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