When Simon Randall was a small boy, his parents used to read him the Winnie the Pooh children's books, and the stories became his firm favourites. And now, as a London-based lawyer, Randall's association with Winnie's creator has become highly profitable. His first-edition Milne books from the 1920s have appreciated in value impressively since he began collecting them 20-odd years ago.

There will be a recession by 2007, economist Nouriel Roubini predicts. The collapse of housing will bring down the rest of the economy, he says.

Sales of new single-family homes fell in July from the previous month, the latest sign that there may be a real-estate downturn. For buyers, now might be a good time to haggle for deals from builders.