<![CDATA[Illinois Times - Financial Fitness]]> <![CDATA[Plan ahead to survive the next recession]]> The economy is still reeling from the recession, and the question of when the global economy’s struggles will end remains a mystery. One thing we do know is that when the economy does finally re]]> <![CDATA[Simple ways to save money]]> If the ongoing recession has taught people anything, it’s the need for saving money. Many people were caught off guard by the recession, and studies have shown just how little men and women had ]]> <![CDATA[How to manage personal debt]]> As if anyone needs their memory jogged, debt is a substantial problem for men and women living in fully developed countries. Estimates vary, but numerous surveys have indicated the average American ho]]> <![CDATA[Don’t blame community banks]]> It could have been avoided.The housing crash, the widespread home foreclosures, the credit crisis, the rampant bank closures, and ultimately the Great Recession of the past four years never had to hap]]>