by Charlene Crowell

(NNPA)—In the midst of long-term, double-digit unemployment and millions of foreclosures, many in America are struggling to financially hold on. But for others, the plight of the poor is prime-time for making money—and a lot of it.

In “Broke USA,” author Gary Rivlin shares how payday lending has become a $33 billion a year “poverty industry.” With small dollar loans typically ranging from $300-$500, some in America are getting rich off of the multitudes who are just scrimping to piece together a modest living for themselves and their families.

In a recent National Public Radio Interview, Rivlin, a former reporter for The New York Times shared his reactions to his lengthy study of an industry that preys upon people with little money and few options for credit.

(NNPA)—“Our business in life is not to get ahead of others but to get ahead of ourselves—to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterdays by our today, to do our work with more force than ever before.”—Steward B. Johnson

It bothers me that sometimes people make the assumption that personal achievements are the result of being born into the “right” family, by which they mean an affluent or famous lineage. Sometimes people will ask me, “Now, whose son are you?”

When it comes to your money, you should know where you are, where you’re going and how you’ll get there. This all starts with the dreaded B-word, BUDGET. The very mention of the word budget sets off a feeling of confinement, restriction, limitation and loss of control. I admit there is a sense of confinement, restriction and limitation associated with managing money—but it has nothing to do with a budget. What confines, restricts and limits us is our income! So if you want to spend more, have more and save more without sacrificing your lifestyle, you simply need to earn more. A more formal definition of a budget would be a plan for spending, saving, and investing money. The importance of making a budget and sticking to it is to save for future goals while meeting present obligations.

BETHESDA, MD—The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson recently announced five of its portfolio companies ranked high on the “2010 B.E. 100s List,” published annually by Black Enterprise magazine.

RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Group ranked first in a category of 60 in this year’s auto dealership rankings. RLJ McLarty Landers was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. The company consists of 35 automotive franchises and three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships across the south central, southeast and midwest regions of the country.