As the New Year rolls in many of us are busy making promises to lose weight, stop smoking, or eliminate debt. But what if we could create New Year's resolutions for Black America? What are some of the things we could do as a community to make Black America wiser, richer and healthier? Here are a few of my suggestions. What are yours? 1. Let's stop making others rich before … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Uncovering Your Money Demons Is Key To A Financially Successful New Year
"In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we've discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We've learned that piling … [Read more...]
Money Monday: This Season Give Gifts That Keep On Giving
Want to give a gift that won't be discarded or forgotten days after Christmas? Consider gifts that keep on giving. Give the Gift of Stock Teach your kids the value of investing. Yes, stocks may drop in value dramatically from year to year, but over the long term stocks represent one of the best ways to build wealth. When your child looks back and sees how the Christmas … [Read more...]
Monday Monday: 7 Smart Money Moves For A More Prosperous 2012
2012 is knocking on the door and the new year is a great time to tighten your money game. Best of all, getting your money straight doesn't have to be a needlessly complex endeavor. Often a series of simple money moves will have you seeing more green before you know it. Here are seven simple tips to growing more cash in 2012. Make Saving Painless Unfortunately, many of us … [Read more...]
Money Monday: To Get The Best Price On Prescriptions It Pays To Shop Around
Savvy consumers know that comparison shopping is the name of the game. We hunt for the best deals on everything from televisions to high end fashion. But did you realize you can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparison shopping for your prescription medications as well? The exact same prescription drug could cost five times as much or more depending on the pharmacy. In … [Read more...]
Money Monday: The 5 College Money Mistakes To Avoid
College application deadlines are fast approaching and soon parents and students will be making decisions that affect the rest of their lives. But this is also the period where parents should watch out for financial missteps that could cost them big bucks. Here are five financial mistakes parents with college bound students should avoid. Procrastinating in … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Shopping on Thanksgiving, Have We Gone Too Far?
Thanksgiving usually evokes memories of succulent turkey that tenderly melts in your mouth and golden brown cornbread that crumbles sweetly beneath your lips. It's a time to overeat, catch up with loved ones, and spend a lazy afternoon watching some football. Now it seems as if we'll be adding waiting in line, throwing elbows, and fighting over cheap deals to the mix. The … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Is A College Education Worth It Any More?
They played by the rules. They studied hard and made the necessary sacrifices. But after four years of grueling work, today's college graduates face the bleakest job market in decades. To make matters worse, grads face unprecedented student loan debt with no means of even beginning to pay it back. It's easy to see why many graduates see college as a bad investment. The … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Why Parking Tickets And Library Fines Could Decimate Your Credit Score
So you racked up another parking ticket. No big deal. We all get them, but you better pay up. It seems cities are getting down right serious about collecting their money. With municipal budgets suffocating in red ink, cities are turning to collection agencies to recoup money from unpaid traffic and parking tickets. New York City, for instance, has nearly $700 million in … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Childhood, Inc – The Advertising Assault on Our Kids
It seems marketers can't wait to get their hands on our kids, and now they're even reaching into the cradle. According to ADWEEK, the infant to 3-year-old crowd is the hottest new advertising demographic. Yes, they may be barely able to walk or talk but corporations see dollar signs in these young eyes, and they'll do everything they can to hook them while they're … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Have We Forgotten The Other Part Of King’s Dream?
This past weekend President Obama spoke at the dedication of the Martin Luther King memorial on the National Mall. King will stand rightfully with other Americans who made this nation great. But as we remember Dr. King, have we forgotten a vital part of his dream? I'll be the first to admit that I owe my success to women and men like King who made sure I could sit at the … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How To Become A Supermarket Ninja
Your grocery bill is one of your family's largest expenses. Yet when it comes to shopping, many of us leave big money on the table. But you can outsmart the grocery stores at their own game and easily save your family $1,000, $2,000, even $3,000 or more every single year. Here are eight ways you can become a supermarket ninja. Plan your meals around the sales Want an easy … [Read more...]
Money Monday: You Don’t Have to Take Big Bank Abuse Any Longer
Major banks are like dime pieces. Sure they're pretty on the outside and everyone flocks to them, but they have major issues and are ready to abuse you with ridiculous fees. You know the type. Fine as wine, she butters you up with kisses but sleeps with a butcher knife under the mattress. Tall, dark, and handsome, he makes you melt with smooth talk but stays out late, … [Read more...]
Money Monday: How to Avoid Car Dealer Tricks And Traps
After having put off car purchases for years due to the recession, Americans are returning to dealer showrooms. Car sales are up over 7% in the past year, but knowing dealer secrets can mean the difference between getting a great deal and getting soaked. Buying a car is not a single transaction When you enter a dealer showroom you're about to embark on several transactions, … [Read more...]
Money Monday: Do Fast Food Restaurants Victimize The Poor?
Over the past week there's been an interesting debate on the internet over whether or not certain food stamp recipients should be allowed to use their benefits at McDonald's, KFC, and other fast food restaurants. It started with this posting by BlackGirlFit. Four states already allow some food stamp recipients to purchase burgers, fries, and other fast foods. Principally the … [Read more...]