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…
Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and you want to make sure you protect it with the right insurance. Did you know the cost to replace your home could be much more than it cost to build—and you could be on the hook for the difference? Whether it would cost more to replace…
School is out, and it’s time to start looking forward to your family’s summer travel plans. As you make your packing lists and research the sites and activities for your destinations, don’t forget to review digital safety rules. According to the Better Business Bureau, between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the busiest time for…
The foundation of all human relationships is trust. But our tendency to trust is exploited every day by hackers who engage in social engineering to gain unauthorized access to computer networks with the intent to steal data and cause financial harm. Social engineering attacks occur when fraudsters combine publicly accessible information and manipulative tactics to…
Founders First CDC to Award Another $100,000 to Minority Businesses Throughout the State to Createand Promote Premium Wage Employment Opportunities in Underserved CommunitiesTexas, June 23, 2022 – Founders First CDC, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowersexpansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses, announced the second wave of its newJob Creators Quest Grant which will award…
With the rising cost of education, you might be thinking, is college really worth the investment? If you’re heading to college soon and trying to figure out what your ideal degree will net you, here are a few considerations to keep in mind. Research majors and corresponding career opportunities A recent study by the Federal…
If your child is college-bound, you probably have questions – including how to pay for their higher education. What may surprise you is how many different sources you’ll draw from to cover tuition, room, and board – plus expenses like books, fees, travel, and more. A recent study revealed over a dozen funding sources parents…
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…
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…
Much of the country is still in the middle of a red-hot real estate market. Home values are rising due to high demand and first-time homebuyers should be aware of how the value of their home impacts the way their premiums are calculated. Location and structure type are two examples of considerations that can affect…
As the country faces uncertain economic conditions including record-high inflation, small businesses are integral to the health and regrowth of the economy. They currently account for 99.9% of American businesses and 46.8% of employed adults in the United States, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Digital Payments Are a Lifeline to Small Businesses It…
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,…
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President, and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association As the United States continues to grapple with its legacy of systemic racism, debates on issues such as police brutality and racial profiling, the economic gulf between Blacks and Whites, and the dearth of access to affordable educational opportunities, there is one…
If you’re ready to buy your first home but are short on the down payment, you’re not alone. Affording a down payment is the number one barrier to homeownership, and rising housing costs are presenting even bigger hurdles. The August 2021 Freddie Mac Housing Price Index showed a 19.67% year-over-year increase in home values. At…
Want to make some serious exterior home upgrades that improve your safety and comfort, add beauty to your home and deliver a return on your investment? Here are five projects that do just that: 1. Install storm doors: Storm doors give you the option of letting in more light and ventilation on fair weather days…
With record low housing supply and high inflation contributing to skyrocketing home prices, the barriers to owning a home may seem insurmountable. But buying a home in a sustainable, affordable way is possible with low down payment mortgage options. First-time and low- to medium-income homebuyers can qualify for mortgage financing without emptying their bank accounts…
In the current market, houses are selling fast – meaning there’s typically no need to spend time and money on large home repairs and renovations to get an offer. Instead, homeowners should focus on quick, easy DIY projects to give their space a facelift before listing – here’s how. 1. Enhance Curb Appeal. “The exterior…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported receiving 5.7 million fraud reports in 2021, with consumers losing more than $5.9 billion to fraud, up from $3.3 billion the year prior. Furthermore, the coronavirus pandemic and rise in digital and online technologies have only exacerbated the rise in overall consumer fraud, as criminals sought to take advantage…