Are you discouraged about your future? Many of you are seeking opportunity such as employment and education. Believe me, in spite of the dilemmas that are going on you can still obtain your goals. I know society has become a right here and right now crowd. Nevertheless, as long as you fulfill your aspirations that is… [Read more…]
March 3, 2011
College doesn’t guarantee employment. It’s important to create a feasible plan without drowning in debt with room for adjustment. Parents, begin with creating a 529 College Plan. This will prepare your children for college. More importantly, you don’t have to initiate a large deposit to open an account. The younger (sooner) you begin, the better… [Read more…]
March 2, 2011
Unemployment is soaring for college graduates. There once was a time when you entered college, graduated and landed your dream job. Today, most degrees are worth as much as the paper it was printed on. What are graduates and the unemployed to do? It’s time to reevaluate your goals, attributes and strengths. The path you… [Read more…]
February 2, 2011
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA “Goals give you a compass in order to direct your path through life. Goals focus your thoughts and actions on areas that have precise purpose and meaning.” – Catherine Pulsifer Have you ever gone to a gathering and participated in a raffle? Each participant discards a business card into the… [Read more…]
January 28, 2011
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Many have been coined a self-proclaimed shopaholic. The feeling of purchasing a scarf, pair of earrings or vehicle sends a rush through your veins. It’s like an addiction that you don’t have a cure for. This addiction is taking over your financial responsibilities. There are times when individuals opt to… [Read more…]
January 18, 2011
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA While the majority of Americans receive refunds and many taxpayers look forward to getting that check in the mail, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s your own money to begin with. All you did was overpay the government during the year.~ CNN Each year consumers are very excited about… [Read more…]
January 10, 2011
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Growing up I remember my dad telling me that I had to pay consequences [price] for all my actions. In addition to his many tales he would say “nothing in life is free”. You got that right! Whatever happened to Total Free Checking? Now, you have to pay your financial… [Read more…]
December 28, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Many people live with several vices, some bigger than others. When it comes to items that you can live without I’m pretty sure the list can go on and on. No, I’m not talking about that significant other that you claim to leave every year. That’s another blog! The little… [Read more…]
December 21, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Since the unemployment rate is drastically increasing so are the needs of many households. It’s scary enough not being able to make ends meet, but the sadness of not eating is horrible. I remember while growing up a peanut butter & jelly sandwich was a snack to hold us over… [Read more…]
December 20, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Who has money to throw away? I know I don’t, so it’s important for you to find ways to save on taxes. I can’t express enough to set your priorities then live on your net income. It can happen. Today is the day Uncle Sam is stopped at the door. … [Read more…]
December 17, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA The economy is in a whirlwind of financial dilemma. From the government to each household people were and still are spending more than they should. The “buy now, pay later” approach has gotten everyone into trouble. One of the biggest problems is that credit became too overwhelming for anyone to… [Read more…]
December 15, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA The thought of unemployment can take a toll on a person’s emotional and mental state. As with anything else in life, you must adjust to your surroundings. Eventually all the networking and life skills building pays off with an offering conversation. It’s been awhile since you’ve seen a steady paycheck… [Read more…]
December 6, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Cheat (v.) ~ To deceive. There are times when items magically appear in the household. The spouse may claim that it’s years old while the tag is dangling from the sleeve or the shoes were never worn. It becomes a problem when multiple items are discovered unbeknownst to the partner. In any… [Read more…]
December 1, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA When you don’t get enjoyment out of an activity it’s time to let it go. When your expenses are costing you thousands it’s time to let it go. When you’re constantly giving, giving and giving it’s time to let it go. As humans we have a sixth sense (intuition) when… [Read more…]
November 29, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA There’s an undebatable argument that most stores did well on Black Friday. Saturday, November 27 was even declared Small Business Day in support of the “Mom-n-Pop” stores who are routinely overlooked. The disbelief of the consumers tell a different story than the numbers. There were storms of individuals and groups who… [Read more…]
November 26, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Economists have been watching the numbers since before the Great Recession. The graph looks live a Six Flags roller coaster with a yellow traffic light…proceed with caution. Consumers have been reluctant to spend money in fear of what tomorrow will bring. The day after Thanksgiving is a shopping Olympics for many. Everyone wants the… [Read more…]
November 24, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA You already have the car, house, student loans and multiple credit cards. Since the economy has fallen behind, so have your payments. You don’t plan to apply for more credit so it doesn’t matter that you have neglected a few payments. Unbeknownst to you some employers are conducting credit checks.… [Read more…]
November 22, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Many economists state the jobless claims are looking encouraging. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits didn’t increase. But if you ask someone who is seeking employment, the outlook is still bleak. Overall, about 8.85 million people are receiving jobless aid, including 4.7 million that are doing so… [Read more…]
November 19, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Many people are looking for ways to get motivated, stay encouraged and achieve personal goals. With a little assistance from yourself and others, it can and will happen. It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see. ~ W. Churchill When I first… [Read more…]
November 17, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA During the holidays family and friends come together to socialize and exchange gifts. This year, many consumers are concerned with not only making ends meet to provide a festive meal, but to also splurge on gifts. Black Friday is supposedly the beginning for Holiday shopping. With fierce competition and added… [Read more…]
November 16, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA Women have gone from Mrs. Clever to Mrs. Clinton. They’re no longer viewed as domicile beings who wait on their husbands to come home to baked pies and hot meals. Today, women are doing it for themselves and doing it well. For decades women have been fighting for equal rights.… [Read more…]
November 15, 2010
Reported by Bahiyah Shabazz, MBA “If lawmakers opt to make the middle class tax cuts permanent that will add an estimated $3 trillion to the country’s debt over 10 years. A two-year extension could cost roughly $383 billion.” ~CNN News So, what are we to do? The tax cuts are needed to help households get… [Read more…]
March 8, 2011
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