Yet banks have not historically stuck to daily payment schedules: they like to hang on to their cash and deliver it as late as possible at the end of the working day.

ECONOMIST: Foreign exchange

The strength of the established parties, by contrast, lies in having tough local guys in each constituency, pockets bulging with cash, who deliver blocks of voters on election day.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

If Manchester United can replace him with someone that will follow his path and deliver on pitch success, then investors can be sure the cash will continue to flow.

FORBES: Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson Is Stepping Down: What It Means For The Stock

With this sort of contract, the owner of a big, highly appreciated stock position gets an upfront payment from an investment firm--typically for 75% to 85% of the value of his shares--in exchange for agreeing to deliver a variable number of shares or cash in the future, with the exact amount dependent on how the stock performs.

FORBES: Billionaires' Taxes