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	<title>BLACK ENTERPRISE &#187; Consumer Affairs</title>
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	<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com</link>
	<description>Your Ultimate Source for Wealth Creation</description>
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		<title>Six Ways to Save</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/16/six-ways-to-save/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/16/six-ways-to-save/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:21:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Keesa Schreane</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[BE Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money-saving ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=69702</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whether you need a professional financial plan or just a “Savings 101” refresher, these six tips will get you started on the road to building a cash cushion.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/16/six-ways-to-save/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Navigating the Abyss of Airline Customer Service</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/travel/2010/03/12/navigating-the-abyss-of-airline-customer-service/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/travel/2010/03/12/navigating-the-abyss-of-airline-customer-service/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:24:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sheiresa Ngo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle Exclusives]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[air travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[customer service]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=68255</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I flew the friendly skies for my honeymoon last month. The honeymoon was great but my flight experience was a nightmare. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/travel/2010/03/12/navigating-the-abyss-of-airline-customer-service/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Check Yourself with Self-Checkout</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/04/cutting-edge-check-yourself-with-self-checkout/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/04/cutting-edge-check-yourself-with-self-checkout/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:27:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cutting Edge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cutting expenses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grocery savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money-saving ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-checkout]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=65422</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When it comes to budgeting your dollars, paying attention to every detail—from the coupons you use to the on-sale items you purchase—is crucial.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/04/cutting-edge-check-yourself-with-self-checkout/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ask Your Advocate: Winter Heating Bill Woes</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/03/ask-your-advocate-winter-heating-bill-woes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/03/ask-your-advocate-winter-heating-bill-woes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:29:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sheiresa Ngo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy Star]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[utility costs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=60111</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My heating bill tends to be very high each winter. What can I do to keep costs down? 
—R. Brown Hartford, CT 
Winters can be tough on the wallet, but there are several steps you can take to keep cash in your pocket:
Request a payment plan. Ask your energy provider if it offers a level [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/03/03/ask-your-advocate-winter-heating-bill-woes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Credit Card Reform Starts Today</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/business/2010/02/22/credit-card-reform-starts-today/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/business/2010/02/22/credit-card-reform-starts-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:00:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit & Debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card issuers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=61186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The landmark legislation that Obama signed in the spring of 2009 that was designed to protect consumers from abusive credit card practices went into effect Monday.

]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/business/2010/02/22/credit-card-reform-starts-today/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Get Ready For The New Credit Card Rules</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/02/19/get-ready-for-the-new-credit-card-rules/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/02/19/get-ready-for-the-new-credit-card-rules/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:55:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BLACK ENTERPRISE</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit & Debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CARD Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer credit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card issuers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit cards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit counseling]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=60463</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The clock is ticking toward implementation of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the CARD Act.  On February 22, consumers will have a new set of financial protections in place.  However, in order to maximize the provisions of the Act, consumers need to take action.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/02/19/get-ready-for-the-new-credit-card-rules/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Move Your Money</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/28/move-your-money/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/28/move-your-money/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:58:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit unions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cutting Edge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Move Your Money Campaign]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=53380</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Can you be part of the campaign to move your accounts from large banks to community banks and credit unions?]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/28/move-your-money/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What to Know Before You Donate to Haitian Relief</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/21/what-you-need-to-know-before-donating/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/21/what-you-need-to-know-before-donating/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:49:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[charitable giving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Haiti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scams]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=50021</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Before you give to any organizations, here are a couple of tips to help you maximize your donation and make sure your money is going to the right place.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2010/01/21/what-you-need-to-know-before-donating/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>3 Things to Know About Debt Collectors</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/01/15/3-things-to-know-about-debt-collectors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/01/15/3-things-to-know-about-debt-collectors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:14:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credit & Debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[managing debt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=49674</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While the days of debt collectors sending sheriffs to your home are long gone, for some, contemporary debt collection methods can still cross the line.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/wealth-for-life/2010/01/15/3-things-to-know-about-debt-collectors/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How Healthcare Reform Affects You</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/09/09/how-healthcare-reform-affects-you/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/09/09/how-healthcare-reform-affects-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:15:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joyce Jones</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barack Obama]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthcare reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blackenterprise.com/?p=39576</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The ongoing debate over healthcare reform is as intense as ever, but nothing has been settled and there are still many compromises ahead before final bills are voted on in both the House and the Senate. Some of what the American public is hearing, however, has caused concern about how reform would affect them. Here’s a guide to the facts--and some of the fictions:]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/09/09/how-healthcare-reform-affects-you/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FCC to Hold ‘Soft Test’ for DTV Transition</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/05/20/fcc-to-hold-soft-test-for-dtv-transition/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/05/20/fcc-to-hold-soft-test-for-dtv-transition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 13:48:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deborah Creighton Skinner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Communications Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nielson Co.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=35116</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Local broadcasters will be participating in coordinated digital television (DTV) transition “soft tests” Thursday in preparation for the nationwide transition on June 12.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/05/20/fcc-to-hold-soft-test-for-dtv-transition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FDIC’s New Campaign Promotes Deposit Insurance Awareness</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/11/fdic%e2%80%99s-new-campaign-promotes-deposit-insurance-awareness/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/11/fdic%e2%80%99s-new-campaign-promotes-deposit-insurance-awareness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:04:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marcia Wade Talbert</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deposit insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FDIC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Indy Mac]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=26737</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anyone who banks has seen the phrase “FDIC Insured,” but to make sure that they know what it means, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has kicked off a campaign to educate people about federal deposit insurance and the benefits of patronizing financial institutions that are FDIC insured. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/11/fdic%e2%80%99s-new-campaign-promotes-deposit-insurance-awareness/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Better Business Bureau Kicks Off National Consumer Protection Week</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/02/better-business-bureau-kicks-of-national-consumer-protection-week/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/02/better-business-bureau-kicks-of-national-consumer-protection-week/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:14:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Better Business Bureau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Consumer Protection Week]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=26027</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As part of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 1-7, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), along with state, federal, and local government agencies are providing tips on everything from avoiding home and auto repair scams to debt management. Also, the BBB of Chicago is opening its doors to the public. Consumers will be able to pick up vital consumer and business information in the lobby of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago March 5. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/03/02/better-business-bureau-kicks-of-national-consumer-protection-week/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women &amp; Money: Joint Accounts a Good Idea &#8230; If You&#8217;re Married</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/09/women-money-joint-accounts-a-good-idea-if-youre-married/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/09/women-money-joint-accounts-a-good-idea-if-youre-married/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:56:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BlackEnterprise.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women of Power Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[H.E. Freeman Enterprises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrine Freeman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=24232</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. BlackEnterprise.com has got you covered with our supplement to the magazine’s three-part “Women &#038; Money” series. Over the next two weeks, we’ll have money management tips and strategies from Harrine Freeman, CEO and owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit counseling service.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/09/women-money-joint-accounts-a-good-idea-if-youre-married/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women &amp; Money: Give Your Kids the Tools for Financial Success</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/06/women-money-give-your-kids-the-tools-for-financial-success/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/06/women-money-give-your-kids-the-tools-for-financial-success/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:13:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BlackEnterprise.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[H.E. Freeman Enterprises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrine Freeman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=24156</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. BlackEnterprise.com has got you covered with our supplement to the magazine’s three-part “Women &#038; Money” series. Over the next two weeks, we’ll have money management tips and strategies from Harrine Freeman, CEO and owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit counseling service.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/06/women-money-give-your-kids-the-tools-for-financial-success/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women &amp; Money: Managing Credit Card Debt Through Negotiation</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/04/women-money-managing-credit-card-debt-through-negotiation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/04/women-money-managing-credit-card-debt-through-negotiation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:58:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BlackEnterprise.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women of Power Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[H.E. Freeman Enterprises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrine Freeman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=23942</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. BlackEnterprise.com has got you covered with our supplement to the magazine’s three-part "Women &#038; Money" series. Over the next two weeks, we’ll have money management tips and strategies from Harrine Freeman, CEO and owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit counseling service.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/04/women-money-managing-credit-card-debt-through-negotiation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women &amp; Money: Looking Great Without Breaking the Bank</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/03/women-money-looking-great-without-breaking-the-bank/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/03/women-money-looking-great-without-breaking-the-bank/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:24:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BlackEnterprise.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women of Power Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrine Freeman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[money management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=23669</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. BlackEnterprise.com has got you covered with our supplement to the magazine’s three-part "Women &#38; Money" series. Over the next two weeks, we’ll have money management tips and strategies from Harrine Freeman, CEO and owner of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit counseling service.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/03/women-money-looking-great-without-breaking-the-bank/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women &amp; Money: Rebounding After a Divorce</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/02/women-money-rebounding-after-a-divorce/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/02/women-money-rebounding-after-a-divorce/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:21:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>BlackEnterprise.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women of Power Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[divorce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Equifax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Experian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrine Freeman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TransUnion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=23677</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. BlackEnterprise.com has got you covered with our supplement to the magazine’s three-part "Women &#038; Money" series.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/02/02/women-money-rebounding-after-a-divorce/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cut Your Insurance Costs Without Sacrificing Coverage</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/23/cut-your-insurance-costs-without-sacrificing-coverage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/23/cut-your-insurance-costs-without-sacrificing-coverage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:38:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tamara E. Holmes</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=23248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With people looking to cut costs in a tight economy, some may be thinking about decreasing or even eliminating certain types of insurance. But while such a move may save a few dollars in the short-term, it could jeopardize your long-term financial health, experts warn.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/23/cut-your-insurance-costs-without-sacrificing-coverage/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Cell Phone Bills</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/07/the-cutting-edge-cell-phone-bills/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/07/the-cutting-edge-cell-phone-bills/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:42:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cell phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CTIA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prepaid phone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sam Simon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telecommunications Research & Action Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=22281</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cell phones have gone from a luxury to a necessity for people of all ages. As if managing the costs of life's staple items -- food and shelter --weren't enough, cell phones have become the Pandora's box of bills with managing minutes usage, text messages, picture messages, and yikes, data plans.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2009/01/07/the-cutting-edge-cell-phone-bills/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Report: Disparities in Higher Education for Blacks</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/30/report-disparities-in-higher-education-for-blacks/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/30/report-disparities-in-higher-education-for-blacks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:55:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Aisha I. Jefferson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measuring Up 2008]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tuition]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=20987</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the U.S. government works to overhaul the nation’s financial system and contemplates bailing out its top automakers, a recent independent study highlights what it calls “the uneven distribution of higher education opportunity and achievement in the United States,” suggesting many current and future college students may need a lifeline of their own.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/30/report-disparities-in-higher-education-for-blacks/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Scam Artists Adapt to Economic Crisis</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/29/scam-artists-adapt-to-economic-crisis/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/29/scam-artists-adapt-to-economic-crisis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:40:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tamara E. Holmes</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fraud]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scams]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=20955</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While scams are always a concern of law enforcement, experts are warning that the tough economic climate may lead even more people than usual to fall victim to the sweet-sounding promises of scam artists. “In tough times people are likely to be looking for attractive solutions to their problems, whether it is money-making schemes or bogus claims to save them from foreclosure,” says Frank Dorman, a spokesman for the Federal Trade Commission.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/29/scam-artists-adapt-to-economic-crisis/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: New Year&#8217;s Eve</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/24/the-cutting-edge-new-years-eve/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/24/the-cutting-edge-new-years-eve/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:30:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[celebration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Year's Eve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=21746</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and if you haven’t cemented plans to ring in 2009 all is not lost. Though premium-priced admissions fees for clubs and costly dinner deals can easily throw a wrench in planning as the economy remains in turmoil, there are recession-proof ways to have an A-list celebration on a D-list budget.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/24/the-cutting-edge-new-years-eve/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Your Financial Fitness Checklist</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/23/your-financial-fitness-checklist/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/23/your-financial-fitness-checklist/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:46:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FICO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roth IRA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=21428</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If getting your finances in order is at the top of your to-do list this year, BlackEnterprise.com developed a resource just for you. This personal financial checklist will help you on a way to a prosperous 2009.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/23/your-financial-fitness-checklist/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Getting the Most From Your Gym</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/17/cutting-edge-getting-the-most-from-your-gym-membership/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/17/cutting-edge-getting-the-most-from-your-gym-membership/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:07:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exercise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gym]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=20386</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New Year is almost here, and if you’re one of the countless people who’ve vowed to shed that dead weight and stay fit for 2009, you may be considering a gym or weight loss program.. With money tight, you don’t want to join a program only to stop a month later and still be stuck in a contract.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/17/cutting-edge-getting-the-most-from-your-gym-membership/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Furnishing Your First Apartment</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/10/the-cutting-edge-furnishing-your-first-apartment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/10/the-cutting-edge-furnishing-your-first-apartment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:23:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interior decorating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=18725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finally, you’re fresh out of college and ready to settle into your first apartment. Sure you’ve seen matchboxes bigger than your new place, but it's your own humble abode. Now that the arduous task of coming up security deposits and rent is squared away, it’s time to figure out the best and most cost-effective way to furnish your new apartment with style.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/10/the-cutting-edge-furnishing-your-first-apartment/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Lowering Your Healthcare Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/03/the-cutting-edge-lowering-your-healthcare-costs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/03/the-cutting-edge-lowering-your-healthcare-costs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:40:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prescription drugs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=17485</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whether you’re searching for health coverage or have a plan, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most for your buck. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/12/03/the-cutting-edge-lowering-your-healthcare-costs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lending Money to Friends and Family</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/28/lending-money-to-friends-and-family/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/28/lending-money-to-friends-and-family/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:05:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Margarette Burnette</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=14535</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is part of the African American spirit to help our friends and family who are in need. In this economy, that often means loaning money to someone you care about. If you’re not careful, however, you could also be creating a difficult situation for yourself, both financially and personally.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/28/lending-money-to-friends-and-family/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Black Retailers Gear Up for the Holidays</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/27/black-retailers-gear-up-for-the-holidays/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/27/black-retailers-gear-up-for-the-holidays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:08:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michael Dabney</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Friday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cat Walk Boutique]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Retail Federation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Underground Railroad Bookstore]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=9708</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anxiety over the poor economy, including worries about home foreclosures, tightening credit and unemployment, has many retailers on pins and needles this holiday season.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/27/black-retailers-gear-up-for-the-holidays/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Thanksgiving</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/19/the-cutting-edge-thanksgiving/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/19/the-cutting-edge-thanksgiving/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:31:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cutting costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thanksgiving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cuttting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=8107</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thanksgiving is around the corner and so is the big dinner with all the family’s favorite foods. But with economic conditions seeming to grow more uncertain by the day, most households are trying to be more cost conscious for this year’s festivities. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/19/the-cutting-edge-thanksgiving/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8216;Tis Better to Give, But Don&#8217;t Get Taken</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/tis-better-to-give-but-dont-get-taken/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/tis-better-to-give-but-dont-get-taken/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:12:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alfred Edmond, Jr.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[charities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[charity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[donations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fundraising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scams]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=7439</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ It's the holiday season, when generosity and goodwill toward others—reinforced by the gifting traditions of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah—is the order of the day. This is an especially important time for charitable causes of all kinds, as donors like you and me are more likely to respond to fund-raising appeals than at any other [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/tis-better-to-give-but-dont-get-taken/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>While Holiday Shopping, Guard Against Identity Theft</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/while-holiday-shopping-guard-against-identity-theft/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/while-holiday-shopping-guard-against-identity-theft/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:51:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alfred Edmond, Jr.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[credit card]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[identity theft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=7437</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ The holiday season is prime time for identity theft. It's no wonder: the mix of frenzied shopping, demanding kids, wall-to-wall crowds and a tidal wave of consumer marketing via phone, mail and the Internet create just the right environment of distraction and confusion for identity thieves. These crooks are just waiting for you to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/16/while-holiday-shopping-guard-against-identity-theft/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Combating Identity Theft</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/13/combatting-identity-theft/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/13/combatting-identity-theft/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:29:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bridget McCrea</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[identity theft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intellectual property]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Cyber Security Alliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[phishing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=6871</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There was a time when online identity theft was largely the domain of hackers who were challenged by the task of stealing identities and then reusing them for their own fun. The thought was scary for some, but wasn’t nearly as threatening as the new breed of criminals who have set out to use those identities to rake in billions of dollars a year.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/13/combatting-identity-theft/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge: Auto Maintenance</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/12/cost-cutting-auto-maintenance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/12/cost-cutting-auto-maintenance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:24:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AAA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Automobile Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[auto maintenance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost-cutting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=6727</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hefty maintenance costs that come along with owning an automobile can seem to be more than the car is worth. From oil changes, to tune ups and everything in between, cars can be an expensive necessity. With the economy taking a turn for the worse, people may be looking to hold on to their cars longer. As you prepare to get that extra mile from your vehicle, here are a few auto maintenance tips to help you along the way:  ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/12/cost-cutting-auto-maintenance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Offer Your Kids the Best, Yet Trim Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/06/offer-your-kids-the-best-yet-trim-costs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/06/offer-your-kids-the-best-yet-trim-costs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:25:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blackenterprise.com/?p=6456</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Children can be life’s greatest joy—and it’s most expensive. From the necessary expenses, such as food and shelter, to the not-so-necessary—Air Jordans and Hannah Montana apparel—your kids can put a major dent in your wallet and drain your bank account.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/11/06/offer-your-kids-the-best-yet-trim-costs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Halloween</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/10/28/cutting-edge-halloween/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/10/28/cutting-edge-halloween/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:12:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost-cutting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://beta.blackenterprise.com/?p=4920</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This year, Americans will spend $5.77 billion for Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation. Additionally more than 64% of people are expected to dress up, trick or treat, and distribute candy this year, compared with 59% last year. Before you don this season’s most ghastly attire, learn how you can take the fright out of Halloween shopping.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/10/28/cutting-edge-halloween/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reinforcing Principals of Personal Finance</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/10/01/reinforcing-principals-of-personal-finance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/10/01/reinforcing-principals-of-personal-finance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:33:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/?p=8281</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Purse strings are being pulled tighter than ever as consumers brace for the ripples of the banking crisis to move to Main Street. While lawmakers warn of looming job losses and threats to retirement savings, the country's economic climate has made understanding and controlling personal finances even more crucial as the nation weathers this period [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>How to Handle Bank Closure</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/09/15/how-to-handle-bank-closure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/09/15/how-to-handle-bank-closure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:45:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ann Brown</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bank assets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FDIC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/?p=8385</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It seems like every month a bank closure is being announced, most stemming from the housing and mortgage crisis. So how do you protect your accounts?]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Leisure &amp; Entertainment</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/08/13/leisure-entertainment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/08/13/leisure-entertainment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brittany Hutson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/08/13/leisure-entertainment/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The nature of today's economy may have put a damper on your summer plans by putting a squeeze on your vacation budget. But don't let high gasoline and commodity prices stop you from having a fun summer. Now is a great time to optimize budget-friendly activities that are often overlooked. The tips provided will offer you fun-filled activities that are free to low cost, and can be intellectually stimulating at the same time.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Utilities and Energy</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/08/06/cutting-edge-utilities-and-energy/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/08/06/cutting-edge-utilities-and-energy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/08/06/cutting-edge-utilities-and-energy/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Its old news that’s still putting a hurting on your wallet: soaring energy and utility costs. Don’t expect these costs to dampen anytime soon. Nationally, residential electricity prices are expected to rise 5.2% by year-end and 9.8% by next year, says Tyler Hodge, economist with the Energy Information Administration, a statistical agency of the Department of Energy. These staggering increases are mainly the effect of “the increase in fuel costs used for electricity generation. The biggest component in that fuel cost increase is in natural gas,” Hodge says. So, aside from the typical “unplugging appliances,” which he says can save you up to 5% in electricity consumption, here are a few more tips to add to your arsenal of cost-cutting strategies.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Throwing Green After Green</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/16/throwing-green-after-green/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/16/throwing-green-after-green/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gia Parker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lawn maintenance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/07/16/throwing-green-after-green/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you finding that more and more of your money is being spent on maintaining soil and controlling pesky bugs as you try to keep up with the Joneses? Well, you're clearly not alone. According to the National Gardening Association, consumers spent more than $35 billion on lawn care and garden products last year. As the summer heats up, here are a few tips to cool down your spending and brighten up your lawn.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Cutting Edge: Squeezing Out the Extra Mile</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/09/squeezing-out-the-extra-mile/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/09/squeezing-out-the-extra-mile/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maya Yette</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Autos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gasoline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/07/09/squeezing-out-the-extra-mile/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Is there no end in sight? It’s getting increasingly hard to remember when gas was affordable. So if you’re not yet ready to break out a bicycle, here are a few easy cost-cutting strategies to maximize your gas dollars this summer.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/09/squeezing-out-the-extra-mile/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Cutting Edge: BBQ Bargains</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/02/bbq-bargains/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/02/bbq-bargains/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:50:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Renita Burns</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cutting living budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/07/02/bbq-bargains/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the Fourth of July approaches, surging gas prices and soaring food costs have many of us clutching our wallets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts that food prices for 2008 will increase 4.5% to 5.5%. The reality is that food prices aren’t expected to decline anytime soon, so as you prepare to celebrate this holiday weekend, here are simple ways to ease the financial pangs of planning a barbecue.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/07/02/bbq-bargains/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Vacation Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/25/cut-vacation-costs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/25/cut-vacation-costs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Taylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/06/25/cut-vacation-costs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It's hard to escape the news about prices at the pump. But with all the economic worries that may be weighing on you, it may be even more imperative that you take a break this summer. Though a recent USA Today Gallup poll found that more than a third of the respondents were rethinking their summer travel plans because of higher fuel costs, make sure that you're not throwing in the towel too early.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/25/cut-vacation-costs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: It All Adds Up</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/11/it-all-adds-up/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/11/it-all-adds-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Taylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Banking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/06/11/it-all-adds-up/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A $3.00 fee here; a $25.00 charge there. You’ve probably noticed—with growing alarm—how small banking fees can chip away at your hard-earned money. To most consumers, banking fees make no sense, yet the totals are astounding. Bankrate.com, which tracks data on a variety of financial products, estimates that Americans spent $4.4 billion in ATM fees in 2007. Though some fees seem unavoidable, here are a few proactive ways to protect your pocketbook.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Edge: Deals for Dad</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/09/deals-for-dad/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/09/deals-for-dad/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Annya Lott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/06/09/deals-for-dad/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of us are finding that our pockets aren't quite as deep as they once were. With gas and grocery prices sky-high, the National Retail Federation expects Father’s Day spending to reach $9.6 billion this year—marking a decline of $3 million over last year’s tally. So if you need to scale back, as the big day approaches on June 15, take a few steps to make a smarter gift purchase.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Cutting Edge</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/04/the-cutting-edge/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/04/the-cutting-edge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris Taylor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budgeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[e-commerce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[financial planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Cutting Edge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/06/04/the-cutting-edge/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Spences have become true virtuosos at saving money. Whether it’s heating up frozen meals for lunch at the office, cutting back to once-a-week family restaurant or movie outings, or undertaking savvy financial moves such as getting rid of universal life insurance in favor of an affordable term policy, Spence never runs out of great ideas for cutting costs.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/06/04/the-cutting-edge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>It’s Not Too Late to Cut Taxes for 2007</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/04/08/it%e2%80%99s-not-too-late-to-cut-taxes-for-2007/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/04/08/it%e2%80%99s-not-too-late-to-cut-taxes-for-2007/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:50:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Donald Jay Korn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/04/08/it%e2%80%99s-not-too-late-to-cut-taxes-for-2007/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The IRS filing deadline for your income tax return is days away, so you may fret that there’s little you can do now to save yourself some money. But if you act fast, you can still take advantage of some last-minute tax breaks.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/04/08/it%e2%80%99s-not-too-late-to-cut-taxes-for-2007/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gas Hits All-Time High</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/03/24/gas-hits-all-time-high/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/03/24/gas-hits-all-time-high/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:25:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Carolyn M. Brown</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Autos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gasoline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lundberg Survey]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/03/24/gas-hits-all-time-high/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As consumers drove up to their neighborhood gas stations this weekend, they probably noticed prices were up yet again. According to the Lundberg Survey, released Friday, gas prices have hit an all-time high of $3.26 per gallon on average. The survey tallied prices at 5,000 gas stations nationwide.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>BE&#8217;s Top 20 Month-End Auto Deals</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/02/20/bes-top-20-month-end-auto-deals/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/02/20/bes-top-20-month-end-auto-deals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:10:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jeff Fortson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Autos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevrolet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chrysler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GMC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SUV]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/02/20/bes-top-20-month-end-auto-deals/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today's gas prices have almost tripled since 2001, when automakers delivered 631,632 full-size SUVs. And as consumers continue to shift toward smaller Cross Utility Vehicles, manufacturers are discounting SUVs to encourage sales.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It’s a Buyer’s Market</title>
		<link>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/01/30/it%e2%80%99s-a-buyer%e2%80%99s-market/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/consumer-affairs/2008/01/30/it%e2%80%99s-a-buyer%e2%80%99s-market/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jeff Fortson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North American International Auto Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trucks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://content.blackenterprise.com/2008/01/30/it%e2%80%99s-a-buyer%e2%80%99s-market/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For sports coupes, convertibles and trucks, there seems to be no shortage]]></description>
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