Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth
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Black America Needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable Credit Access to Build Wealth

By Charlene Crowell, NNPA Newswire Contributor Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed dual crises. Over 542,000 American lives were lost and continue to increase. At the same time, the rippling effects of a massive economic downturn has caused the nation to lose 9.5 million jobs – more losses than even those of…

6 Tips To Pay for Your Child’s College Education
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6 Tips To Pay for Your Child’s College Education

By d-mars.com News Provider College tuition bills are due right around the corner. It’s true that college can be expensive, but knowing all of the different financing options available and making a plan can help you and other parents find peace of mind. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed as you and your child evaluate…

How To Help Senior Loved Ones Protect Themselves From Financial Abuse
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How To Help Senior Loved Ones Protect Themselves From Financial Abuse

By d-mars.com News Provider An often-overlooked aspect of elder abuse is cybercrime – and it’s a problem that’s getting worse. In 2020, the FBI reported a record amount of cybercrime complaints – nearly 800,000 – adding up to over $4.1 billion in losses. More than half of those losses were suffered by people aged 50…

How To Avoid Unexpected Fees From Subscription or Recurring Services
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How To Avoid Unexpected Fees From Subscription or Recurring Services

By d-mars.com News Provider What may have started as a deal too good to pass up could end up costing you for months to come. Costly subscription services could be charging your debit or credit card monthly and if you don’t keep close tabs on your accounts, you may not even be aware. The hook…

To Build Your Savings, Start With Small Goals
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To Build Your Savings, Start With Small Goals

By Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. Building a savings account can seem daunting. Many people believe they should have a high amount of savings tucked away, but then often become overwhelmed thinking about that goal. By shifting your mindset and taking small, achievable steps, you can reach your savings goals and more. Keep in mind,…

5 Tips To Help You Take Control of Your Finances
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5 Tips To Help You Take Control of Your Finances

By d-mars.com News Provider Many people are reassessing goals in light of the turmoil of the last year. There is a renewed focus on gaining control of finances, especially through increased saving and getting professional advice. Even Americans who did not lose work lost a sense of confidence in the economy. A new survey by…

First steps in retirement planning – for all Americans
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First steps in retirement planning – for all Americans

by d-mars.com News Provider Even if you’re young, newly employed or haven’t yet started to save for retirement, many financial professionals agree planning is key to achieving a sense of security for your future. But a new survey shows that if you’re a first- or second-generation American, a woman, African American or Hispanic employee, you…

Wells Fargo Expands Commitment to Black-Owned Banks
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Wells Fargo Expands Commitment to Black-Owned Banks

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Wells Fargo & Company announced equity investments in five African American Minority Depository Institutions, or MDIs, as part of a 2020 pledge to invest up to $50 million in Black-owned banks. The banking giant said it is also offering access to a dedicated relationship team that…

Do You Believe in These Three Common 401(k) Misconceptions?
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Do You Believe in These Three Common 401(k) Misconceptions?

By d-mars.com News Provider If you contribute a portion of your income to a 401(k), you may think you’re all set for a comfortable retirement. Experts say it’s important to take a closer look at these savings. To help you get started, Lincoln Financial Group is breaking down three common misconceptions about saving for retirement…

Fraud Watch: Avoiding COVID-19 Related Medicare Scams
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Fraud Watch: Avoiding COVID-19 Related Medicare Scams

by d-mars.com News Provider Medicare fraud is not a new issue and long predates the pandemic, but during times of crisis, scammers often get more aggressive and creative with targeting seniors. Scammers have taken ample advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by offering Medicare beneficiaries fraudulent services, resources, or information about the vaccine in exchange for…

Retiring Single: 5 Strategies to Consider
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Retiring Single: 5 Strategies to Consider

Planning on retiring single? You aren’t alone. Nearly 22 million Americans age 65 and older were unmarried in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, representing 41.5% of those in that age category. And for women, it’s more likely to be the case. According to the Administration on Aging, 54% of older women are unmarried,…

The power of planning: Getting retirement savings on track after COVID-19
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The power of planning: Getting retirement savings on track after COVID-19

by d-mars.com News Provider Planning for retirement is an important step toward long-term financial wellness at any age. Even though everybody knows to expect the unexpected, no one could have predicted how the events of the past twelve months would change the world. As a result, many people had to shift their approach toward financial…

5 Tips to Rebuild Your Savings and Unlock Opportunities
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5 Tips to Rebuild Your Savings and Unlock Opportunities

by d-mars.com News Provider The pandemic created a lot of uncertainty for people, especially when it comes to their finances: unemployment was up, spending was down and pretty much everything felt like a roller coaster. One year after much of the world shut down due to the coronavirus, it’s time to rebuild your savings to…

Many Americans unable to pay bills or cover unexpected expenses and lack critical financial knowledge, survey shows
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Many Americans unable to pay bills or cover unexpected expenses and lack critical financial knowledge, survey shows

Twenty-two percent of U.S. adults report they are unable to pay their bills in full and on time in a typical month, and 30 percent would not be able to cover an unexpected $2,000 expense, according to new data from the fifth annual Personal Finance Index (P-Fin Index) released by the TIAA Institute and the…

Tips to Pay for College This Fall
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Tips to Pay for College This Fall

by d-mars.com News Provider What does paying for college during life’s “new normal” and current economic climate look like? A new survey highlights parent plans and concerns regarding the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. The College Ave Student Loans survey of parents of undergraduate students conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights found that of those…

OP-ED: Energy Policies and Potential Impacts on Household Budgets
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OP-ED: Energy Policies and Potential Impacts on Household Budgets

By R. Dean Foreman, Ph.D., Chief Economist, American Petroleum Institute Most people are concerned when energy costs rise, especially prices at the pump. It’s understandable since the average household spent nearly $4,100 on energy in 2019, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Survey.  For more than a decade, expanded U.S. energy…

Are You Spending Too Much Free Time on Money Management?
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Are You Spending Too Much Free Time on Money Management?

by d-mars.com News Provider Is your money management a streamlined process? If you’re like many Americans, you may be spending more time than you’d like to be. Americans average spending seven hours per month managing their finances, according to a new online survey among more than 2.000 U.S. adults by The Harris Poll on behalf…

Tips to Prepare Your Child for Financial Success
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Tips to Prepare Your Child for Financial Success

by d-mars.com News Provider A new survey reveals that women are increasingly earning the title of “breadwinner” in their households. The Wells Fargo survey found that over half of all partnered women reported greater or equal earnings to their spouse. And nearly one-third of millennial and Gen X women reported being the primary breadwinner —…

5 key money moves to consider when transitioning out of the military
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5 key money moves to consider when transitioning out of the military

by d-mars.com News Provider Each year, approximately 200,000 men and women transition from the U.S. military to civilian life.1 It can be a dramatic life change with financial implications that many people don’t realize or plan for. Much attention is given to accessing healthcare, transitioning careers and pursuing educational opportunities, but the adjustments to your…