Building A Better Future   When it comes to finances, think of
time as an ally. We need time to make our dreams come true. For
our 2004 BLACK ENTERPRISE Financial Fitness Contest winners, the
last year has been an interesting one filled with victories and
disappointments. Armed with instructions from the financial
advisers we provided, they made positive change and have grown
through the experience. Here is a look at what happened to four
of our winners from 2004.  Debt was a four-letter word that
clouded an otherwise bright financial future for the Whittington
family of Sicklerville, New Jersey. Dwayne and Hermennia took
action and eliminated their $26,000 credit card bill when they
refinanced their second mortgage. Unlike many who refinance and
pay off debts, they haven’t run up new credit card balances.
Instead, they have developed the discipline to pay off credit
card bills in full each month. The only other major debt they
have is the $20,000 left on their first mortgage. They plan to
have that paid off