Japanese architect Kayuza Morita designed a 557-square-foot home that is fit for a librarian. Floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall shelving define this small home in Osaka prefecture, Japan, that was created for a young historian who collects books in Islamic history. Laminated pine boards interlock, forming a lattice of shelving units for bound words or nicknacks.

Morita integrated the individual shelf unit in every aspect of construction. His goal was to create the “geometrical harmony” reminiscent of Islamic architecture.

The uniqueness of this “shelf-pod” house goes beyond the fact that it’s fit for a bibliophile. The structure can also support 10 tons of books and survive earthquakes. For Morita, creating houses on a smaller scale is essential for densely populated cities in Japan where space is limited. The movement toward smaller, greener houses makes sense not just in Japan but also around the globe.

Could credit cards go the way of the dodo? Many of the industrialized nations around the globe are moving away from traditional credit cards with magnetic strips in favor of embedded microprocessor chips, because they may cut down on fraud. The chip-and-PIN method is the newest smartcard technology, where a microchip is embedded in the credit or debit card. When the customer pays for goods, the card is placed into a “PIN pad” terminal or modified swipe-card reader, which reads and authenticates the chip. The customer then enters a 4-digit PIN that must match what is on the smartcard.

If you’ll be traveling abroad but do not own a smartcard, you may need to depend on ATM machines. Carrying extra credit cards and cash is also recommended. And if you want to use a chip-embedded debit card, you can obtain one for free, but exchange rates are not stellar. Last but not least, notify your bank about your travel plans as some credit companies will freeze your card for charges deemed suspicious or out of the norm.

The chip-and-PIN technology is becoming the standard in Asia, Latin America, and Canada. While the U.S. lags behind, some banks including Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and U.S. Bank are starting to offer the cards to their customers on small scales.

According to demographic projections, the total U.S. population will increase by 8.9 percent from 2010 to 2020, and some cities will experience booms. Utilizing figures from the 2010 census and other economic information, data analysis firm ProximityOne estimates that the top ten cities for growth over the next decade are Raleigh-Cary, N.C.; Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Wash; Austin-Round Rock, Texas; Provo-Orem, Utah; Hinesville-Fort Stewart, Georgia; Logan, Utah-Idaho; Grand Junction, Colorado; McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C. and S.C.

It’s projected that these boomtowns will see between 26.4 to 35.7 percent growth in population due to low unemployment (relative to the national average) and affordable housing.

Of 366 metro areas, 43 may see population loss. The top ten losers include Flint, Mich; Jackson, Mich; Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla; Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa; Kokomo, Ind; Pine Bluff, Ark; Steubenville-Wierton, W. Va-Ohio; Mansfield, Ohio; Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich; and Danville, Ill. Most of these cities are located in the former Rust Belt, where industries like steel making, vehicle manufacturing, and other heavy manufacturing once thrived.

Deferring gratification is no longer a personal matter as financial institutions are intentionally putting savings on the frontal lobes of their customers. Putnam Investments is helping its 401(k) plan participants save money for retirement with a new Apple iPhone app.

Consumers use their iPhone to scan bar codes and check prices. The app combines comparison prices with retirement account information, calculating how future retirement income can benefit. For example, if the customer is shopping for an HDTV priced at $1,738.64, the app will find the same product at $1,299.99. You would save $439 by purchasing the less expensive tv, and if you put that amount into your 401(k), you’d reap an additional $11.16 per month in retirement.

Todd Barnhart, director of retail deposits for PNC Bank, says that people need “a visible reminder” to save. PNC offers customers an online virtual wallet with a mobile banking app. When participants have a little extra cash, they can tap the pig icon and transfer money automatically from checking to savings.

The apps offered by Putnam and PNC attempt to make saving for the future (college, vacations, retirement) simple and habitual. And you can expect more mobile apps that encourage delayed gratification to hit the market soon.

Web traffic on mobile devices is increasing. Case in point, Zillow says that 30 percent of its weekend traffic is generated on iPhones, smart phones, iPads, and the like. The company hopes to respond to this consumer shift by providing easy access to real time loan information.

Zillow recently announced its free mobile app for the iPhone, which will offer home buyers access to loan quotes and calculators for payments, affordability, and refinancing.

On its website, Zillow promises these client features:

• Live rates – not teaser rates
• Easy-to-advanced calculator options
• Personalized quotes from confirmed lenders
• Loan quote comparisons
• Reviews and ratings on hundreds of lenders
• Saved loan requests and quotes
• Ability to email calculator results, rate trends and loan quotes