If you’re like the typical American, your home is exploding with junk. We Americans are the world’s pack rats. As a result of our preoccupation with “stuff,” we’re drowning in credit card debt, falling behind on our bills and facing financial insecurity. Streamline your finances and fight the American “stuff” obsession by considering these money smart questions before making … [Read more...]
4 Tips To Help You Save Money and Eliminate Debt Before 2014
I recently hosted my first Twitter Chat on money management basics. One of the obstacles that many of us still face is reigning in our spending and paying ourselves first. Get a head start on your 2014 financial goals by being proactive about what you do with your money for the remainder of 2013. You still have time to do all of the following: Automate your Payments One of … [Read more...]
4 Tools Every Grown and Serious Woman Needs To Organize Her Finances
It is not a secret. Organization is the cornerstone of any take-over-the-world mission. And when it comes to taking care of your money matters like a grown and serious woman, this is especially true. Choosing the tools that you will need to embark on this mission and emerge victorious, though, can sometimes get confusing and overwhelming, given all of imported gadgets, sleek … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How Do You Deal With Awkward Money Moments
You've just spent the evening watching your companions gobble down steak and red wine, while all you've eaten is a salad and some lemonade. Of course, when the bill arrives they suggest splitting it evenly. Do you? A) Go along, telling yourself never again will you spend another evening with these people. B) Pretend like you didn't hear their nonsense and ask the waiter to … [Read more...]
Money Monday: The Exploding Racial Wealth Gap. Is it a Case of “The Man” Trying to Keep us Down?
According to a recent report released by the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP), when it comes to building wealth, black folk are falling way behind. In 1984 the wealth gap between African-American families and white families stood at $85,000. Twenty-five years later that wealth gap ballooned to $236,5000. In 2009 the average white family possessed nearly a quarter … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Forest Whitaker Falsely Accused of Shoplifting. How Would You Handle the Situation?
We've all suffered it: Shopping While Black. You know, the store employee who casually shadows your every move, the check-out clerk who asks for extra ID before cashing your check, or the salesperson who double counts the number of items you're about to take into the dressing room. Often there is little recourse. Complaints to store management frequently fall on deaf ears as … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How Much Do You Tip Your Waitress?
A pastor made headlines last week when she left a note on her Applebee's receipt claiming that she gives God 10%, why does her Applebee's waitress deserve a 18% tip? "I give God 10%, why do you get 18[%]," her handwritten note scribbled across the top of her receipt asked. News of the comment spread quickly after fellow waitress Chelsea Welch snapped a photo of the … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How To Unlock The Hidden Job Market
Imagine spending day after day submitting online job applications only to receive rejection email after rejection email, or worse, no response at all. Unfortunately, I see this way too often. Endless hours of effort and mountains of rejections can lead to despair, doubt and even hopelessness. But, the problem is often not with the applicant, but with the way he or she … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How We Make Others Rich but Ignore Our Own Wealth Everyday
Do you realize you're making other people rich every single day of your life? If you're like many of us, you toil endlessly long hours working in someone else's store, on someone else's construction site, or for someone else's company. And while you take home a paycheck, you're not the one receiving the greatest benefit from your labor. No, it's often the business owner, CEO, … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Online Holiday Shopping
With Cyber Monday sales totaling nearly $1.5 billion, it's clear that Americans are embracing the internet for their holiday shopping like never before. That's why we've compiled this list of power tips to help you get the most out of your online holiday efforts while keeping your budget intact. Remember it's real money you're dealing with While using your computer or smart … [Read more...]
Money Monday: What’s The Secret To A Secure Retirement?
According to a recent survey by the Consumer Federation of America and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, about half of Americans are behind in retirement savings and only 34% of Americans say will be able to retire by age 65. As a result, some of us are planning to work longer. But as Dan Kadlec over at Time magazine points out, 57% of people quit work earlier … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Would An “All-You-Can- Watch” Monthly Movie Pass Bring You Back To The Theater
Would you pay $30 a month for an "all-you-can-watch" monthly pass to the movies? That's the bet start-up MoviePass is making. Dubbed the "Netflix for movie theaters," MoviePass is bringing the subscription model to the big screen, allowing members to watch "unlimited" theater movies for one low price. Here's how it works: The MoviePass system consists of a … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How to Take Advantage of Comcast’s Dirt Cheap Broadband Offering?
My parents saved up for over a year in order to purchase a set of encyclopedias for my brother and me. These books were considered essential to our education. Today, encyclopedias are ancient relics but the internet has replaced their importance in helping students succeed at school. Yet, in many low-income neighborhoods, few students have broadband access. Enter Internet … [Read more...]
Money Monday: A Simplified Approach To Creating A Budget You Can Live With
Creating a budget doesn't have to be a complicated affair. Of course it may seem too involved, too time consuming, or worse, too restrictive"”limiting your ability to spend "freely." But implementing a budget is easier than you think. First off, I hate the word "budget." The term conjures up feelings of deprivation, constantly reminding us of the things we can't … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Are You Planting Your Financial Harvest?
Money is a like a seed. We can eat all of it now; but in doing so we'll have none left to plant and grow into an abundant harvest. The problem is that our "gotta have it now" culture stresses consumption over planting for harvest. Consumerism beats out investing for tomorrow. Take, for instance, the recent hype surrounding the latest iPad. Thousands stood in pre-dawn … [Read more...]