What can you say about tragedy? When it’s imminent, you brace yourself and hope to come out unscathed. In its aftermath, you mourn and, eventually, you move on, healed… but not quite ever the same. Still, what, exactly, can you say about tragedy? Plenty, as you’ll see in the book “In Remembrance of Emmett Till” by Darryl Mace, and the strongest words come from … [Read more...] about “In Remembrance of Emmett Till” by Darryl Mace
Personal Finance and Business
Black women are the only demographic not gaining jobs
African American women are the only demographic in the United States whose unemployment rate has not improved over the past year, according to a National Women's Law Center analysis of the latest jobs data. The overall unemployment rate dropped from 7.2 percent to 6.1 percent between August 2013 and August 2014, and women's unemployment rate dropped from 6.2 percent to 5.7 … [Read more...] about Black women are the only demographic not gaining jobs
Under 26? Should you stay on your parent’s health insurance?
In their quest to land a job, any job, many young adults will sacrifice what used to be called "fringe benefits" to gain a foot in the door. But many entry-level jobs either offer no healthcare benefits, or the employee's cost share is prohibitive for someone barely making minimum wage. Add to the equation that most twenty-somethings are in good health and rarely visit the … [Read more...] about Under 26? Should you stay on your parent’s health insurance?
Social Security to resume mailed benefit statements
Call it a paperless experiment that didn't quite pan out. In 2011, a budget-strapped Social Security Administration (SSA) stopped mailing annual benefit statements to workers over 25 in order to save $70 million on annual printing and mailing costs. In return, the agency launched the "my Social Security" online tool that allows 24/7 access to your statement, as well as other … [Read more...] about Social Security to resume mailed benefit statements
Here’s credit 101 for your college freshman
To parents with a freshman entering college this fall: You're probably expecting to shell out major bucks for tuition, room and board and a million other necessities over the next few years. But before you send your kid off, make sure you share one gift likely to steer him or her along the road to financial security – a sound understanding of how credit works. You probably … [Read more...] about Here’s credit 101 for your college freshman
Read contracts carefully before signing
If you always stop to read the fine print before signing anything, congratulations – your parents trained you well. If you don't, beware: Your signature could commit you to a long-term gym membership you don't really want, an apartment you can't afford or worst of all, paying off someone else's loan you cosigned. Broadly defined, contracts are mutually binding agreements … [Read more...] about Read contracts carefully before signing
Divorcing? Protect your finances, personal data
No doubt you've seen many warnings against sharing personal or financial information with strangers, but what about your spouse – or ex-spouse? A recent study by McAfee uncovered some unsettling results: Although 96 percent of adults surveyed trust their significant other with passwords, intimate photos and other personal content, only 32 percent have asked their ex to delete … [Read more...] about Divorcing? Protect your finances, personal data
Don’t let back-to-school tasks sneak up on you
Parents, if this is your first time at the back-to-school rodeo, let me share a few lessons my wife and I have learned the hard way. Chances are you'll be spending the next few weeks filling out piles of pre-enrollment paperwork, lining up carpools and, of course, taking the dreaded shopping excursions for clothes and school supplies. If you're a first-timer or simply need a … [Read more...] about Don’t let back-to-school tasks sneak up on you
Spend your tax refund wisely
Last year the IRS doled out over 110 million income tax refunds averaging $2,803. Another way to look at it is that collectively, Americans overpaid their taxes by nearly $310 billion in 2012. Part of that is understandable: If you don't have enough tax withheld throughout the year through payroll deductions or quarterly estimated tax payments, you'll be hit with an … [Read more...] about Spend your tax refund wisely
New study finds typical U.S. households of color have no retirement savings
U.S. retirement crisis most severe for Black, Latino households A new report calculates the severity of the U.S. retirement security racial divide. The analysis finds that every racial group faces significant risks, but people of color face particularly severe challenges in preparing for retirement. Americans of color are significantly less likely than whites to have an … [Read more...] about New study finds typical U.S. households of color have no retirement savings