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Sunday

Business

Used Clothing Stores Enjoying Downturn

The nation's retailers are struggling. A slumping economy has kept shoppers out of stores from Saks to Abercrombie & Fitch to Gap. But for one small sector, the downturn has brought an uptick in business.

Used Clothing Stores Enjoying Downturn

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Saturday

Eco-nomical: The Best Deals Online

Cyber Monday might be a thing of the past. The online counterpart to Black Friday used to be the best day for online holiday discounts. In this economy, though, you can find bargains almost any day.

Eco-nomical: The Best Deals Online

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Friday

For Store Clerks, Black Friday Is A Source Of Tales

Jeff shares some of his memorable Black Friday retail stories with Michele and talks about his new book, The Customer is Always Wrong: The Retail Chronicles. He joins us from KWGS in Tulsa, Okla.

For Store Clerks, Black Friday Is A Source Of Tales

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New York's Abercrombie Bucks The Retail Blues

America may be in a recession — but you wouldn't know it from the lines of customers — often more than 200 people deep — around the Abercrombie & Fitch store on New York's Fifth Avenue. People line up every morning before the store open. Who are these people? Why are they there? What are they buying and why?

New York's Abercrombie Bucks The Retail Blues

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Can't Sell House? Try Permanent Swap

Since the economic downturn, Craigslist has posted new online classified ads: permanent house swaps. People trying to relocate, whose houses have lost so much value that they don't want to sell, instead look to swap permanently with people in a desired location who have houses with comparable value.

Can't Sell House? Try Permanent Swap

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Thursday

The Color of Money

Color of Money: Online Financial Consultants

Most people could use a personal financial analyst at one point of another. Now there are Web sites that will tell you what to do with your money — for free. Personal finance expert Michelle Singletary browsed around to see which sites are worth using.

Color of Money: Online Financial Consultants

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Pawnshops See Brisk Business In Economic Crunch

An upscale pawnshop in one of the nation's priciest ZIP codes has become an alternative bank for people who can't get their bankers to lend. Asset-rich but cash-poor, the denizens of Los Angeles are bringing in everything from Picassos to their wives' diamond rings.

Pawnshops See Brisk Business In Economic Crunch

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Wednesday

Spirit Of The Season

Back In Vogue: The Retro Way To Pay For Presents

This season, stores like TJ Maxx and Sears are offering customers the option to buy on layaway — make a deposit, and the store keeps the goods until the price is paid in full. Layaway had been discontinued decades ago, but it's making a comeback because credit cards are no longer cheap or easy to use.

Back In Vogue: The Retro Way To Pay For Presents

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Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Mortgage Rates Drop On Stimulus News

The federal government announced new programs Tuesday that would provide up to $800 billion to stimulate mortgage lending, business and auto loans and use of credit cards. The move had a dramatic effect on mortgage rates.

Mortgage Rates Drop On Stimulus News

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Economy

Food Stamp Recipients Near Record High

For the first time, the number of Americans using food stamps could surpass 30 million. The Agriculture Department is set to release new numbers in the coming days. The Washington Post reports Wednesday that the figure could surpass the previous record, set after Hurricane Katrina. Rising unemployment and higher food prices are key reasons for the expected increase.

Food Stamp Recipients Near Record High

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Your Health

Does Losing A Job Mean Losing Your Health Care?

It's a common story: You lose your job, and your health insurance goes with it. But it doesn't always have to be this way. An expert offers several alternatives to prevent your medical bills from adding to your stress.

Does Losing A Job Mean Losing Your Health Care?

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Tuesday

Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Shoppers, Sellers Rediscover Consignment Shops

For some shoppers, an alternative to buying new is buying second-hand. Consignment shops also offer an opportunity for clothes horses to sell some of their wardrobes. Shoppers who normally might walk by a consignment shop are now stepping inside.

Shoppers, Sellers Rediscover Consignment Shops

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Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Forced Selling Contributes To Stock Slide

The Dow Jones industrial average had its biggest two-day percentage gain since October 1987, nearly 12 percent. The index followed Friday's big rally with a surge of nearly 400 points Monday. Still, the overall trend of the market is down. Some of that may be attributed to forced selling.

Forced Selling Contributes To Stock Slide

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Spirit Of The Season

More Online Holiday Shopping Expected This Year

There should be plenty of deals on Black Friday, the post-Thanksgiving start of the holiday shopping season. While analysts expect retail sales to be way down from a year ago, one shopper survey predicts online sites will see sales increase 12 percent from 2007.

More Online Holiday Shopping Expected This Year

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