The holidays are a time full of good cheer, but not necessarily so jolly for your bank account. ‘Tis the season to stress out your budget, not to mention the anxiety many people have about the increasing cost of living and the ongoing economic uncertainty. According to the Q4 2022 Country Financial Security Index Report,…
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s lives and, as it turns out, it also impacted their feelings about financial security and life insurance. In a national survey commissioned by Erie Insurance: • Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said the pandemic made them more concerned about their financial security than they were before. •…
As inflation continues to put a strain on budgets, talk of an upcoming recession has Americans worried about their finances. Prices on everyday items continue to rise and consumers are trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch further while safeguarding their money against the potential challenges a recession may bring. The future may…
Life insurance is for people of all ages, not just parents and grandparents. While life insurance needs vary by age and stage of life, it’s a good idea to invest in a life insurance plan while you’re young. If you’re in your 20s and 30s, life insurance may not seem necessary, but it’s a useful…
If you’re unsure of how to start planning for your financial future through investing, you’re far from alone. In fact, it might surprise you to know that 80 million Americans are interested in investing but don’t know where to begin. Yahoo Finance even reports that 54% of millennials have less than $5,000 of their money…
Written by: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent In the past, it hasn’t always been clear when a recession loomed, let alone when it has already begun. However, the silver lining now is that, unlike in previous downturns, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have already taken action by making critical adjustments…
From digital payments to video banking, the way consumers conduct basic financial transactions has changed substantially throughout the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the trend toward digital banking. However, brick-and-mortar bank branches continue to play an essential role for many consumers when it comes to important financial conversations. Industry experts say…
Could your finances use a checkup? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Financial Health Network, “Financial Health Pulse: 2021 U.S. Trends Report,” nearly two-thirds of Americans struggle with financial health. But what does that mean? The study considered factors such as people’s ability to pay bills, their amount of short-term savings, and their…
For the second time in three years, Comerica Bank Chief Community Officer Irvin Ashford Jr. has been named as one of Savoy’s Most Influential Black Executives, a definitive listing of African American executives, influencers, and achievers impacting corporate America. “Weare proud to present the 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. We assembled an…
If you have a vision for where you’d like to be financially in the coming years – but no clear idea of how to get there – you’re far from alone. In fact, a recent survey by Wakefield Research and financial services company Digit (now a part of Oportun) found that 78% of American adults…
While the majority of parents today strongly value higher education, that doesn’t always alleviate their sticker shock when it comes to college-related costs. A new College Ave survey finds that 91% of parents believe a college degree is important for their child’s future. At the same time, 74% of parents found the cost of college…
By Contributing Writer James L. Marshall, Jr., Financial Advisor, Financial Educator & Author “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” – Matthew 24:36 No one gets out alive! And the best thing we can do to ease the pain of…
Perhaps even more nerve-wracking than waiting for your child’s college acceptance letters is learning whether they’ve been awarded financial aid. This is the piece of the puzzle that tells you how much it will really cost, and ultimately, whether a particular school is within your budget. “Decoding award letters and comparing their terms can be…
By Contributing Writer James L. Marshall, Jr., Financial Advisor, Financial Educator & Author In the words of the world’s most lovable fish Dory from the Disney movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!” These are nerve-racking times for investors. The stock market is up one day, and down the next three days! This…
From weddings and graduations to summer camps and new jobs, there are many of life’s milestone moments this time of year. If you or your family are celebrating significant events, it’s important to be prepared for what follows these moments with the right financial protection. “Every major milestone brings new things to think about and…
The pandemic proved the importance of connectivity – to your family, friends, work, school, and doctor. Wireless service, in particular, has been a lifeline for many: In fact, 15% of Americans use it as their only broadband connection. And now we have 5G for home broadband, which is another great option for home connectivity. To…
As summer approaches, so does celebration season, which can mean gathering with friends and family for graduation parties, a fun-filled day celebrating the father figure in your life, or BBQs and pool parties to kick off the warmer weather. Shopping for the tastiest food, thoughtful gifts, and festive party decor is essential to entertaining, but…
Many people have financial goals – maybe it’s to get an education, buy a car, purchase a home, or start a business – that require access to credit. However, if you are new to credit, trying to build a credit history can be daunting. It helps to know the basics about the FICO® Score. A…
If you think coping with finances is overwhelming, you’re not alone. A recent study found that nearly 4 in 10 (37%) people avoid dealing with their finances, and more than 3 out of 4 feel stressed and concerned. In the new study, “Path to Prosperity: The Guardian Study of Finances and Emotional Confidence™” conducted by…
By Contributing Writer James L. Marshall, Jr., Financial Advisor, Financial Educator & Author One you choose, one you are born into, and the other you earn (well most of us have to earn it). First is faith. Faith is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in the Word are true, even though unseen,…