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According to a survey by the market-research firm Research Group, 72% of American consumers reported negotiating over a retail purchase in the past four months. This is up from a year earlier when only 56% of respondents reported they had done so. Britt Beemer, Research Group's CEO estimates they succeed 80% of the time.

In a recent CNN.com article about how couples should negotiate spending cuts in response to an unfavorable change in their economic circumstances, consumer finance expert Dayana Yochim recommends

Will President-elect Barack Obama keep his BlackBerry once he assumes office? In an interview last week, President-elect Obama stated, "I'm clinging to my BlackBerry. I don't know that I'll win." At issue are potential security concerns versus his ability to stay electronically connected to family, friends and the outside world.

As 2009 quickly approaches, let me first wish you a very Happy New Year!

With mortgage interest rates recently nearing record lows, I, like many others, decided to refinance my home. After my mortgage broker locked in the best rate she could find and started the process, she contacted my current lender to confirm the payoff amount.