 This small business is getting popular day by day as it needs minimum investment and you may earn extra money easily. The biggest benefit of this business is that you can work from your home, which gives you a lot more freedom. If you want to find potential clients, use websites like Upwork.com and you may choose suitable clients, preferable work hours, and your hourly, daily, or monthly pay rate. 3. Web developing
There are nearly 4 billion people who use the internet in the world. So you can redirect a great percentage of this massive online population into your existing small business if you have a website. Approximately 6 out of 10 small businesses maintain a website. So, if you do not have an existing small business, it is still very important to learn web development skills to meet the huge demand for building and upgrading business websites. You may start your business by creating and developing websites for your family and friends and brush up your skills. New business owners always search for great coders to make their websites cool and trendy. They also want their website should load easily and fast to increase the user experience. You may start your career by offering competitive prices for your services. Once you get some popularity as a good coder, you may increase your prices. Don’t forget to create a website for yourself and showcase your work over there, it will help you to build a strong profile as a coder. Being a web developer you should gather basic coding skills in computer languages like CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and Java. For that, you may learn coding and programs from several free or cheap online courses. Check-in your locality or search online for good and cost-effective classes to learn web development. Improving business will be easier if you also improve your skills. So, you also need to update yourself with different, new techniques of web development and improve yourself. 4. Bookkeeping services Do you have good knowledge about maths and accounting, and also want to work from home? If yes, you may start providing remote bookkeeping services. As a freelance bookkeeper, you don’t require to be a Certified Public Accountant. But, your skills should be up to the mark to support your customers. You should know about modern accountancy, tax laws, company laws, and other required subjects. Some services you may offer include:
5. Freelance secretarial services This is somehow a similar concept to virtual assisting. You may provide secretarial services remotely to business executives or companies. You might require some special skills to get the job. Those skills may include:
6. Travel consultancy services If you are passionate about traveling and you are always updating yourself with the information about best locations, best hotels, cheap airline tickets, best deals on tours, then you have a great potential to become a travel consultant. This business is all about making good connections and gathering info regarding best deals on the best services. So, you have to use the internet, search hotels, call them, and make contacts. You not only have to negotiate with people interested in travel, but also with the hotel owners, cab owners, and lots of other people who will provide the best services to your travelers. Once you are set with the contacts, make sure you start by helping your family and friends to get the best travel deals. This way you can check all the services and get the most genuine feedback from your relatives and friends. If the arrangement proves good, you will also get popularity without spending a dollar on promotions. In most cases, people who save money for holidays and vacations, trust such service providers through the word from their close ones. You may opt for certification in travel consulting if you take this business seriously. You may also need to create social profiles for your travel consultancy business on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and share information via your website, or forward great deals on WhatsApp. Once you become a popular name in this business, negotiate with service providers to offer exclusive deals for your customers. Guest Author Bio: Patricia Sanders is a professional content developer and a regular contributor to debtconsolidationcare. She specializes in the financial niche and is well known for her unique financial tips that can be very effective. She always tries to help people, suffering from financial hardships, through her writing. Her continuous effort has earned her recognition and honor in the financial blogging industry. Besides writing, she loves to travel and gather information on various financial topics. To get in touch with her (or if you have any questions regarding this article) email at sanderspatricia29@gmail.com. Need a personal finance coach? Try It'$ My Money
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 The world has changed a lot within the past three months, first with COVID-19 and then the nationwide protests against police brutality in the last couple of weeks. During these uncertain times, there are many ways you can support black-owned businesses, primarily spending your dollars there. To help in that endeavor, we at It'$ My Money ™ have created a directory of 110 black-owned businesses. These businesses range from categories like Apparel, Beauty, Travel, Health & Wellness, Food, Finance, Consulting, Cleaning Services, and other Business Services. The intent is if you are going to spend any dollars in the coming days or months on any of these categories, then use this directory to find Black-Owned businesses. We only complied the list of those who sent their information, this is not an endorsement. Category : Accessories Business : FILTHY.HAUTE.CHIC., LLC. Owner : LaKeta Johnson Website FB Insta Business : AlmaRose BagsOwner : Almashea' Spotser Website FB Insta Business : Del Marcielle’ Accessories Owner : LaToya S. Pryor Website FB Insta Business : R. Burnett BrandOwner : Richard Burnett Website FB Insta Business : Beautiful Curly Me Owner : Evana Oli Website FB Insta Business : Aware of My Value Owner : Marion Harper Website FB Insta Business : D'Mali By Kisha Dmali Owner : Kisha Damali Business : Stationery For Lovers Owner : Kisha Damali Website Insta Website FB Insta Business : Mikole Gifts for AllOwner : Mikole Montgomery Website FB Insta Business : A Scent Story Candle Co Owner : Leslie Vallery Website FB Insta Business : Villie Owner : Kim Jolasun Website FB Insta Business : MoinasiaShopOwner : Manasa Magona Website Insta Business : The LimeLight CollectionOwner : Ebony Daniels Sanon Website FB Insta Business : Deserved Happiness Owner : Grace Cantrell Website FB Insta Business : The Trendy Clutch LLCOwner : Angelica Renee Website FB Insta Category : Apparel Business : Shanta's Vintage BoutiqueOwner : Shanta Terry-Samuels Business : Black University, LLCOwner : Tyshia Lene’a Website FB Website FB Insta Business : J. Brooks BoutiqueOwner : Jessica Brooks Website FB Insta Business : The KRIVE ShopOwner : Karla Rivers Johnson Website FB Insta Business : Swavy ShoetiqueOwner : ShaDawn Fleming Website FB Insta Business : Adorbs by AmariaOwner : Cheri Felton Website FB Insta Business : Beam BoldOwner : Audra Gordon Website Insta Business : Natural & Fit DesignsOwner : Tara Taylor Website FB Insta Business : By Iman AkilahOwner : Iman Ingram Website FB Insta Twitter Business : Single Dope +SavedOwner : Nelle D Website FB Insta Business : Mom RedefinedOwner : Gerrikka Bunche Website FB Insta Business : Freshman Fun BoxOwner : Peachi Williams Website FB Insta Business : The HBCU BoxOwner : Peachi Williams Website FB Insta Business : I M HBCUOwner : Peachi Williams Website FB Insta Business : Tropic Lux BoutiqueOwner : Alexandra Gatlin Website Insta Business : Threads by K. TrimbleOwner : Keniesha Trimble Website FB Insta Business : Zazzy Kreations by KZOwner : Kwandra Zeigler Website FB Insta Business : JoSaBiOwner : Dafra Website FB Insta Business : Hood Adjacent TeesOwner : Patricia Watson Website FB Insta Business : WirequeenOwner : Michelle S Hawkins Website Insta Category : Author Business : Terri TeachesOwner : Terri Hunt Business : Exposed Books PublishingOwner : Leslie Crawford Website FB Website FB Insta Category : Beauty Business : By Him For HerOwner : Derickus Crawford Website FB Insta Business : Madams Beauty Supply Owner : Demetrius & Latoya Chamblee FB Insta Business : Glossy Diva Cosmetics & Supplies, LLC Owner : Sharla Weaver Website FB Insta Business : Styles of GraceOwner : Kellee N. Herbert Website Insta Business : Astarie ApothecaryOwner : Astarie Dennis Website Insta Business : Amnesty Cosmetics Owner : Crystal Coleman Website FB Insta Twitter Business : Cobalt Honey SkincareOwner : Alycia Washington Website FB Insta Business : Zandra BeautyOwner : Zandra A. Cunningham Website FB Insta Twitter Business : Zen in a Jar Owner : Dr. Nikki Brooks Servers Website FB Insta Business : Beauty And A Book Box Owner : Nisha Parker Website FB Insta Business : Scentsational Soaps Owner : Toushonta Hogan Website FB Insta Business : Shai's World Owner : Shaiann Hogan Website FB Insta Business : Sassy G Nailz Owner : Saniyya Hunt Website FB Insta Business : My Beautiful FluffOwner : Brittany Washington Website FB Insta LinkedIn Business : Angelic Soaps and Gifts Owner : Dieshawn L. Holmes Website FB Insta Business : Bailee's Nail BoxOwner : Bernetta Knighten Website FB Insta Business : Bibah SkincareOwner : Angel B Website FB Insta Business : ReignBeauty CoOwner : Brandie Gallien Website FB Insta Twitter Business : MarjaniOwner : Kimberly Smith Business : Keep Glowing,/Pardon My Glow Makeup Academy Owner : Jey Holman Website FB Insta Website FB Insta Business : Essations Owner : Christal Luster-Boynes Website FB Insta Business : Sadiaa Black Beauty GuideOwner : Stephenetta (isis) Harmon Website FB Insta Category : Business Services Business : Cordea Writing Academy LLCOwner : Cordea Reid Website FB Insta Business : She Prints It,LLCOwner : Website FB Insta Business : WeAssistOwner : Sharai Johnson Website FB LinkedIn Business : Techie Virtual Assistant Services Owner : Chada (sha-day) Johnson Website FB Insta Business : Notary ChekpointOwner : Nico Watts Website FB LinkedIn Business : AnnletteredOwner : Andonnia Maiben Website FB Insta Business : I am IT TrainingOwner : Antoinette Miller Business : Inclusive DataOwner : Shaun Glaze Website FB Insta Website FB Insta Business : Knowledge Beyond BordersOwner : Terry Henshaw, PhD Website FB Insta Business : Jobready2deyOwner : Kurtis Tompkins Website FB LinkedIn Category : Child Care Business : Jackson Child CareOwner : Monica Jackson Website FB YouTube Business : Kid Care ConciergeOwner : Natasha Wright Eldridge Website FB Insta LinkedIn Twitter Category : Cleaning Services Business : Gamble Pro Cleaning ServiceOwner : Shanae Gamble Website FB Business : Hall-Guard Cleaning GroupOwner : Calvin Hall and Casey HallWebsite FB Business : Clean Homes DMVOwner : Monique Boyce Website FB Insta Business : A2Z MaidsOwner : Stevie Brewer Website FB Insta Business : Watts Pro-Clean LLCOwner : Nico Watts Business : Higher Level Maids LLCOwner : Terry Levels Website FB LinkedIn Website FB Insta Category : Consulting Business : Cynthia Howard Consulting, LLC Owner : Dr. Cynthia H. Howard Website FB LinkedIn Twitter Business : SMS ConsultingOwner : Shanta Terry-Samuels FB Business : P. Dixon ConsultingOwner : Patrina Dixon Website FB Insta Business : Top Counseling ServicesOwner : Pachuska Vil-Audain FB Insta Insta Business : Business BakerieOwner : Ticora Davis Website FB Insta Business : NRJ Consulting, LLCOwner : Nikki Jones Website Insta Business : From Grief to GrindOwner : Andrea A. Moore Website FB Insta Twitter Business : Kassar ConsultingOwner : Courtney Underwood Website FB Insta Business : Cindy J Cosmetic LabsOwner : Cynthia Johnson Business : Excellence Health Career Center Website FB Insta Owner : Kecia Hayslett FB Insta Business : BrakethruOwner : La-Doniea Nisbeth Website Insta Business : Yes, I Can Help YouOwner : Shayla Burtin Website FB LinkedIn Business : NumagOwner : Julia Ceo Website Insta Business : Raising A Mogul, LLCOwner : Tamara Zantell Website FB Insta Business : The Mauve AgencyOwner : Kia L. Wilson Website FB Insta Business : ENH Media & MarketingOwner : Erica Hunter Website FB Insta Business : T. Marie ConsultingOwner : Tiandra Robinson Website FB Insta Insta Business : Healthcare Strategic Consultants, LLC Owner :Eboni Dotson Website Business : The Write MixxOwner : Peachi Williams Website FB Insta Category : Design Business : Elle Gibson DesignOwner : Elle Gibson Website FB Insta Twitter Business : Platinum KreationsOwner : Katrina Page Website FB Insta Business : Blue Agate CreativeOwner : Jennae Petersen Website FB Insta Business : CHOZEN MEDIAOwner : Liberty White Website FB Insta Category : Event Planning Business : PopBlissOwner : Racquel Kristi Website FB Insta Business : Inner Sparkle Teepee Parties of Coastal Ga Owner : Kaniece Waller Website FB Insta Business : B Posh Events TeamOwner : Brandi Peart Website FB Insta Category : Finance Business : Concierge Financial GroupOwner : Constance Craig-Mason Website FB Insta Business : RW Insurance GroupOwner : Renee Williams Website FB Insta Business : Perspectives Solutions, LLC Owner : Zinnia Adams Website FB Insta Business : King Me Investors LLCOwner : Nico Watts Website FB Insta LinkedIn Business : Credit With KiaraOwner : Kiara Martin Website FB Insta Business : The Master PlaybookOwner : Holly Reid-Toodle Website FB Insta Category : Food Business : Naked Soul CookingOwner : Ashlee Lewis Website FB Insta Business : Tubby's TasteOwner : Danielle Tubbs Website FB Insta Business : Chef Curl ArdeeOwner : Rachel Whitfield Website FB Insta Youtube Business : Great Mornings Coffee & TeaOwner : Kristin Evans Website FB Insta Business : Station 1923Owner : Samuel Williams Website FB Insta Business : Twins' Bakery73 Owner : Saarah and Maryam Kabal Website FB Insta Category : Health and Wellness Business : TMH Behavioral ServicesOwner : Tytannie Harris Website Business : De La Luz Wellness Owner : Jacquelyn Clemmons Website FB Insta Twitter Business : AnnodRightOwner : Dr. Donna Oriowo Website Insta Business : Scents XchangeOwner : Amber Williams Website FB Insta Business : Naturally Me MoringaOwner : Petula Jones Website Insta Business : Eden Wellness Moringa Owner : Dexter Jones Website FB Insta Category : Home Repair Business : Harris Rooter ServiceOwner : Megan Website FB Insta Category : Jewelry Business : Bling’d By KailaOwner : Shiian Ellington FB Insta Business : EkocreashunzOwner : Lisa Denson Website FB Insta LinkedIn Business : Rustic Love HandmadeOwner : Nicole Hypoite Website FB Insta Business : Destiny’s Custom DesignsOwner : Erica Clarke Website FB Insta Category : Legal Business : Hughley Smith LawOwner : Tyra Hughley Smith Website FB Business : The Creator's Law FirmOwner : Ticora Davis Website FB Insta LinkedIn Category : Personal Care Business : Macklin Bath and HomeOwner : Jeanne Macklin Website FB Insta Twitter Category : Publishing Business : The Literacy ShopOwner : Leslie Crawford Website FB Insta Business : Lauren Simone Publishing House Owner : Melissa-Sue John Website FB Insta Category : Stylist Business : R-Image MenswearOwner : Business : All is Fair in Love and FashioOwner : RaeShanda Lockhart Website FB Insta Business : Style by MaliaOwner : Malia Anderson Website FB Insta Business : Devereaux Owner : Dominique DeVereaux Bedford Website FB Insta Twitter Category : Travel Business : DixxiesTravel LLC Owner : Shawnette Dixon Website FB Insta Business : Been There Seen That ToursOwner : Tyra Hughley Smith Website FB Business : Traveling Session Owner : Anthony Jefferson Website FB Insta PinterestInsta Business : Up in the Air LifeOwner : Claire Soares Website FB Insta Business : Been Around The World Travels/BATW Travels Owner : Emily Williams Website FB Insta We understand that this is not a comprehensive listing of all black-owned businesses, but our attempt to help you in spending your dollars appropriately. We are open to receiving more submission to add to the listing, as this is just a start SUBMIT A BUSINESS. We at Its My MoneyTM enthusiastically help individuals create and maintain a budget,increase savings, earn an additional stream of income, and use credit responsibly. We do this through engaging workshops and empowering one on one settings. Click here for help to get your money in order. Business Category: Accessories LaKeta Johnson FILTHY.HAUTE.CHIC., LLC. Web https://www.filthyhautechic.com/ FBhttps://www.facebook.com/Filthy-Haute-Chic-108408620820852 Insta https://www.instagram.com/FilthyHauteChic/ Almashea' Spotser AlmaRose Bags Web https://almarosebags.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/almarosebags/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/almarosebags/ LaToya S. Pryor Del Marcielle’ Accessories Web https://www.shopdelmarcielle.com/ FBhttps://www.facebook.com/DelMarcielleAccessories Insta https://www.instagram.com/del_marcielle_accessories/ Richard Burnett R. Burnett Brand Web https://rburnettbrand.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/rburnettcollection Insta https://www.instagram.com/r.burnettbrand/ Evana Oli Beautiful Curly Me Webhttps://beautifulcurlyme.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/beautifulcurlyme Insta https://www.instagram.com/beautifulcurlyme/ Marion Harper Aware of My Value Web https://www.awareofmyvalue.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/AwareOfMyValue Insta https://www.instagram.com/AwareOfMyValue/ Kisha Dmali D'Mali By Kisha Dmali Web https://www.dmalibykishadamali.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/dmalibykishadamali/ Kisha Dmali Stationery For Lovers Web https://www.stationeryforlovers.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/stationeryforlovers/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/stationeryforlovers/ Mikole Montgomery Mikole Gifts for All Web https://www.etsy.com/shop/mikmontcreations FB https://www.facebook.com/mikmontcreations/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/MikMont/ Leslie Vallery A Scent Story Candle Co Web https://www.ascentstory.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/ascentstorycandleco Insta https://www.instagram.com/ascentstorycandleco/ Kim Jolasun Villie Web https://www.genderrevealgame.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/GenderRevealGame/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/genderrevealgame/ Manasa Magona MoinasiaShop Web https://moinasiashop.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/moinasiashop/ Business Category: Apparel Shanta Terry-Samuels Shanta's Vintage Boutique Webhttps://shantas-vintage-boutique-store.square.site/ FB https://www.facebook.com/shantavintageboutique/ Tyshia Lene' a Black University, LLC Web https://www.blackuniversity.org/ FBhttps://www.facebook.com/BlackUniversityInspired/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/blackeducatorsapparel/ Jessica Brooks J. Brooks Boutique Web https://jbrooksboutique.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/jbrooksboutique Insta https://www.instagram.com/jbrooksboutique/ Karla Rivers Johnson The KRIVE Shop Web https://www.thekriveshop.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/thekriveshop Insta https://www.instagram.com/thekriveshop/ ShaDawn Fleming Swavy Shoetique Web https://www.swavyshoetique.com/ FBhttps://www.facebook.com/Swavy-Shoetique-2236217776617494/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/Swavy_Shoetique/ Cheri Felton Adorbs by Amaria Web https://adorbsbyamaria.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/adorbsbyamaria Insta https://www.instagram.com/adorbsbyamaria/ Audra Gordon Beam Bold Web https://beambold.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/beam_bold/ Tara Taylor Natural & Fit Designs Web https://www.naturalfitdesigns.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Naturalfitdesigns/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/naturalfitdesigns/ Iman Ingram By Iman Akilah Web https://byimanakilah.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/byimanakilah Insta https://www.instagram.com/byimanakilah/ Nelle D Single Dope +Saved Web https://singledopesaved.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/singledopesaved Web https://www.instagram.com/single_dope_saved/ Gerrikka Bunche Mom Redefined Web https://getredefined.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/MomRedefined Web https://www.instagram.com/MomRedefined/ Peachi Williams Freshman Fun Box Web https://freshmanfunbox.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/freshmanfunbox Insta https://www.instagram.com/freshmanfunbox/ Peachi Williams The HBCU Box Web https://www.thehbcubox.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/hbcubox Insta https://www.instagram.com/hbcu_box/ Peachi Williams I M HBCU Web https://imhbcu.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/imhbcu/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/imhbcu/ Business Category: Author Terri Hunt Terri Teaches Web https://terris-school.thinkific.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Territeaches/ Leslie Crawford Exposed Books Publishing Web https://www.exposedbooks.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/authorleslie Insta https://www.instagram.com/author_leslie/ Patrina Dixon P. Dixon Consulting Web https://www.itsmymoneyjournal.info/ FB https://www.facebook.com/itsmymoneyjournal/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/itsmymoney_/ Business Category: Beauty Derickus Crawford By Him For Her Web https://www.derickuscrawford.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/derickuscrawford Insta https://www.instagram.com/derickuscrawford/ Demetrius & Latoya Chamblee Madams Beauty Supply FBhttps://www.facebook.com/MadamsBeautySupply/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/madamsbeautysupply/ Sharla Weaver Glossy Diva Cosmetics & Supplies, LLC Web https://glossydiva.online/ FB https://www.facebook.com/HairMakeupBySharla/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/glossydiva/ Kellee N. Herbert Styles of Grace Web https://www.shopstylesofgrace.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/stylesofgrace_/ Astarie Dennis Astarie Apothecary Web http://www.astariedennisco.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/astarieapothecary/ Crystal Coleman Amnesty Cosmetics Web https://shopamnesty.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/amnestynail Insta https://www.instagram.com/amnesty_nails/ Alycia Washington Cobalt Honey Skincare Web https://cobalthoney.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/cobalt.honey Insta https://www.instagram.com/cobalt.honey/ Zandra A. Cunningham Zandra Beauty Web https://zandrabeauty.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/zandrabeauty Insta https://www.instagram.com/zandrabeauty/ Dr. Nikki Brooks Servers Zen in a Jar Web https://www.zeninajar.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Zeninajar/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/zeninajar/ Nisha Parker Beauty And A Book Box Web https://www.beautyandabookbox.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/beautyandabookbox1/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/beautyandabookbox/ Toushonta Hogan Scentsational Soaps Web https://scentsationalsoaps.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/ScentsationalSoap Insta https://www.instagram.com/scentsationalsoap/ Shaiann Hogan Shai's World Web https://shaisworld.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Shaisworld Insta https://www.instagram.com/shaisworldshop/ Saniyya Hunt Sassy G Nailz Web https://www.sassygnailz.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/sassygnailz Insta https://www.instagram.com/sassygnailz/ Brittany Washington My Beautiful Fluff Web https://mybeautifulfluff.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/shopmybeautifulfluff Insta https://www.instagram.com/shopmybeautifulfluff/ Dieshawn L. Holmes Angelic Soaps and Gifts Web https://angelicsoapsandgifts.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/angelicsoapsandgifts Insta https://www.instagram.com/angelicsoapsandgifts/ Bernetta Knighten Bailee's Nail Box Web https://www.baileesnailbox.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/baileesnailbox/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/Baileesnailbox/ Angel B Bibah Skincare Web https://www.bibahskincare.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/bibahskin Insta https://www.instagram.com/bibahskin/ Brandie Gallien ReignBeauty Co Web https://reignbeautycollection.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/reignbeautycoll Insta https://www.instagram.com/ReignBeauty.co/ Business Category: Business Services Cordea Reid Cordea Writing Academy LLC Web https://linktr.ee/cordeareid1 FB https://www.facebook.com/cordea.reid Insta https://www.instagram.com/cordeareid1/ Cher'Don Reynolds She Prints It, LLC Web https://sheprintsit.espwebsite.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/ShePrintsIt/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/sheprints.it/ Sharai Johnson WeAssist Web https://weassistagency.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/weassistagency/ Lnkd https://www.linkedin.com/company/weassist-agency Chada (sha-day) Johnson Techie Virtual Assistant Services Web http://www.cjtheva.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/cjtheva Insta https://www.instagram.com/cjtheva/ Nico Watts Notary Checkpoint Web https://notarycheckpoint.com/ FB https://www.Facebook.com/notarycheckpoint Lnkd https://www.linkedin.com/company/notarycheckpoint Andonnia Maiben Annlettered Web https://www.annlettered.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Annlettered/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/annlettered/ Business Category: Childcare Monica Jackson Jackson Child Care Web https://www.mjchildcare.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/mjchildcare Natasha Wright Eldridge Kid Care Concierge Web https://www.kidcareconcierge.com FB https://www.facebook.com/kidcareconcierge Insta https://www.instagram.com/kidcareconcierge Business Category: Cleaning Services Shanae Gamble Gamble Pro Cleaning Service Web https://www.gamblecleaningservice.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Bemoreclean/ Calvin Hall and Casey Hall Hall-Guard Cleaning Group Web https://www.hallguardcleaning.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/hallguardclean/ Monique Boyce Clean Homes DMV Web https://cleanhomesdmv.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/CleanHomesDMV/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/CleanhomesDMV/ Stevie Brewer A2Z Maids Web https://a2zmaids.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/a2zmaids Insta https://www.instagram.com/a2zmaids/ Nico Watts Watts Pro-Clean LLC Web https://wattsproclean.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/WattsProClean/ Lnkd https://www.linkedin.com/company/wear-tear-janitorial-solutions Terry Levels Higher Level Maids LLC Web https://www.higherlevelmaids.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/higherlevelmaid Insta https://www.instagram.com/terry_higherlevelmaids/ Business Category: Consulting Dr. Cynthia H. Howard Cynthia Howard Consulting, LLC Web https://www.chconsultme.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/chc.dcc Lnkd https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cynthia-h-howard-8799181/ Shanta Terry-Samuels SMS Consulting FB https://www.facebook.com/SMSMindfulnessCoaching/ Patrina Dixon P. Dixon Consulting Web https://www.itsmymoneyjournal.info/ FB https://www.facebook.com/itsmymoneyjournal/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/itsmymoney_/ Pachuska Vil-Audain Top Counseling Services FB https://www.facebook.com/TopCounseling/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/Topcounseling/ Ticora Davis Business Bakerie Web https://www.businessbakerie.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/businessbakerie Insta https://www.instagram.com/businessbakerie/ Nikki Jones NRJ Consulting, LLC Web https://nikkirjones.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/nikkirjones/ Andrea A. Moore From Grief to Grind Web https://fromgrieftogrind.co/ FB https://www.facebook.com/fromgrieftogrind Insta https://www.instagram.com/fromgrieftogrind/ Courtney Underwood Kassar Consulting Web https://kassarconsulting.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/kassarconsultingchicago Insta https://www.instagram.com/kassarconsulting/ Cynthia Johnson Cindy J Cosmetic Labs Web https://www.cindyjlabs.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/cindyjlabs/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/cindyjlabs/ Kecia Hayslett Excellence Health Career Center FBhttps://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceHealthCareerCenter/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/excellencehcc/ La-Doniea Nisbeth Brakethru Web https://www.brakethruln.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/brakethru/ Shayla Burtin Yes, I Can Help You Web https://yesicanhelpyou.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/YesICanHelpYourBiz/ Lnkd https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaylaburtin/ Julia Ceo Numag Web https://www.numaggrp.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/official_juliaceo/ Tamara Zantell Raising A Mogul, LLC Web https://www.raisingamogul.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/raisingamogul Insta https://www.instagram.com/raisingamogul_/ Kia L. Wilson The Mauve Agency Web https://www.themauveagency.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/TheMauveAgency/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/themauveagency/ Erica Hunter ENH Media & Marketing Web https://www.enhonline.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/enhmediaonline Insta https://www.instagram.com/enhmediaonline/ Tiandra Robinson T. Marie Consulting Web https://www.tmarieconsulting.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/TMarieConsult Insta https://www.instagram.com/TMarieConsulting/ Eboni Dotson Healthcare Strategic Consultants, LLC Web https://www.hcstrategist.com/ Peachi Williams The Write Mixx Web https://www.thewritemixx.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/writemixx Insta https://www.instagram.com/thewritemixx/ Business Category: Design Elle Gibson Elle Gibson Design Web https://www.ellegibson.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/splendidhabitat Insta https://www.instagram.com/gibsonelle/ Katrina Page Platinum Kreations Web http://www.platinumkreations.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/platinumkreations Insta https://www.instagram.com/platinumkreations/ Business Category: Event Planning Racquel Kristi PopBliss Web https://www.popbliss.co/ FB https://www.facebook.com/Pop.Bliss/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/pop.bliss/ Kaniece Waller Inner Sparkle Teepee Parties of Coastal Ga Web https://innersparklepartiesga.com/ FBhttps://www.facebook.com/innersparkleteepeega Insta https://www.instagram.com/innersparkleteepeega/ Brandi Peart B Posh Events Team Web http://bposheventplanning.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/BPoshEvents/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/bposhevents/ Business Category: Finance Constance Craig-Mason Concierge Financial Group Web https://www.conciergefg.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/ccraigmasonta Insta https://www.instagram.com/officialccraigmason/ Renee Williams RW Insurance Group Web https://www.rwinsurancegroup.com/ FB https://www.facebook.com/RWInsuranceGroup/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/rwinsurance/ Patrina Dixon P. 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We are open to receiving more submission to add to the listing, as this is just a start SUBMIT A BUSINESS. We at Its My Money™ enthusiastically help individuals create and maintain a budget, increase savings, earn an additional stream of income, and use credit responsibly. We do this through engaging workshops and empowering one on one settings. Click here for help to get your money in order.  All of us have heard stories about the side hustler making money on eBay or other platforms, but never took action or didn't know if it is something still doable in 2020. Here we traverse through the fascinating story of Jason Butler, the blogger behind My Money Chronicles. Jason talks about how he increased his Credit Score within seven months, started his eBay Side Hustle, and currently making $800 to $1,000 a month through eBay and how he uses that money to pay off his debt. Jason believes that anyone reading this or listening to the Podcast can achieve the same results as long as they start. The initial years and journey into debt
Jason's journey started in 2008 when he graduated from Savannah State University with a degree in Business Marketing. But 2008 was also the year when the economy tanked, and as a result, it took Jason a year and a half to get a full-time job. So while sometimes earning as low as 10 dollars an hour, he had to make the difficult choice between paying his rent and cell phone bills or paying his credit card and student loan liabilities. So, he kept falling deeper into debt and racked up almost $72,000 in total by the time 2012 hit. He was paying the minimum amount on Credit Cards and student loan liabilities. Jason did end up finding a full-time job at a bank, which is now Wells Fargo in November of 2009. While he was making a little more money, it still wasn't making enough to reduce the student loans. Jason worked at the bank for a while, but he realized it was not what he wanted to do. Trying to get someone hooked on the debt cycle by offering them credit cards when they only had a few dollars in their checking account didn't sit right with him. He ended up applying for jobs in education and started working initially at a school and then finally moved to a college. Working on his credit score Jason started reading personal finance blogs in 2013 and started his website discussing money issues as a black man. For two years, he ran his website, did some entrepreneurial stuff, and honed in on his financial knowledge. In late 2014 Jason got laser focused about paying down his financial debt, and around that time also attended his first FinCon. He also started picking up jobs as a freelance writer that earned him a good income on the side as well. Once back from FinCon, he got resolved to work on his website; he also started a new job at a University. The first thing he did about his debt was contacting the creditors and telling them he wanted actually to pay. The second thing he did is enroll in a plan where he had to make three consecutive payments for 90 days, and that helped bring everything in the current. The third was to get his credit card balance from the high 70 to 80% of his credit limit to around 30%. When he reached the 30% mark, things started taking off with the credit score going up. From January 1, 2015, to August 1, 2015, he was able to increase his credit score by 168 points with the above three tips. Jason started his journey with over $72,000 worth of debt. He got under $60,000 in 2018, but unfortunately, his car went out. So a new car added another $8,000 to the deficit and made it jump back up to $68,000. Now in April 2020, Jason is almost at $60,000 again. So it's has been a roller coaster journey. But as eBay and other businesses continue to grow, he knows he will be able to have this debt paid off soon. eBay initial days Jason has on and off sold things on eBay since 2009. But in 2016, Jason was sure that the eBay thing was a hustle he can successfully execute and started going to the thrift stores like once a month. One of Jason's initial eBay successes was when he procured from Salvation Army store, a Dwayne Wayde Miami Heat jersey for $3. Jason put it on eBay a couple of days later, the jersey sold for $45, which's a $42 profit. As his freelance writing gigs dried up, he ramped up what he was doing on his eBay side hustle, moving from visiting a thrift store once a month to going there once a week. Jason knew sports, so he wanted to stick to what he knew, concentrating on Jordan shoes, sports jerseys, etc. From there, he moved on to coffee mugs finding coffee mugs for like maybe 50 cents or $1 and selling them for between $30 and $40. In 2019 he opened up his eBay store and is currently making between $800 to $1,000 per month. Platforms for a side hustle Jason has transacted on many platforms for his side hustles and believes there are pros and cons based on the type of merchandise you want to sell. The three best platforms for clothes are eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark. For electronics, it eBay and Mercari (there are many buyers for electronics here and hence is the best platform for electronics). For those looking to sell big items, Jason suggests using Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, because in most cases, you ideally need to find local buyers for big and bulky items. Also, shipping something big on eBay or is expensive as well as handling and is hard logistically both on the buyer and seller side. Facebook marketplace and Craigslist allows you to find a buyer locally, go to meet up with the person somewhere like a restaurant or police precinct (don't go by yourself), and perform the transaction. Blog rebranding Before 2019 Jason's blog used to be called "The Butler Journal" based on his last name. Although he loved the title "The Butler Journal," no one knew what it stood for. So he decided to rebrand in January of 2019 to "My Money Chronicles." The reason Jason choose the name My Money Chronicles was that it was a story about money, and he believes its one hell of a story and hence "Chronicles." So now, people don't ask many questions cos they understand what to expect from the blog by reading the title. The rebranding process was also not that difficult for Jason. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Ids for his rebranded name were all available, and hence he just changed the name from the old account names to the new ones. He didn't lose any of his followers as it was a seamless transition for his readers. He did the same with the email list, sending out reminders on the change happening on January 1. When January 6 came, the site was live with new branding without impacting readership or followers. How to start on eBay Jason mentions the first thing to do is create an eBay account. It's free. Also, if you're a new seller, you have 50 free listings per month. Now, you have to pay a final value fee, which is like 10% and a 3% fee for PayPal. At the end of the day, if you are making money, those fees are a part of running a business. The second thing is to add another site that you want to sell on. Jason's suggestion would be to either do Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Next, find at least five items that you're thinking about selling. It can be new but not used by you or something old that you are not using anymore, and they waste space. Take at least ten pictures of the items and get them listed. And then, from there, go with it to selling it and completing the transaction. If you like doing it, continue to add things continue to do research and keep expanding the list of items. When it comes to flipping (buying or cheap and selling on eBay), it's a great time to like flip right now as everybody's at home. Whether they're working or not, they're at home. They're surfing the web, and they're buying as well. Job loss - Blessing in disguise Jason was diligently putting most of his side hustle money into paying down his debt. But just before all the Coronavirus impacts started taking effect, he lost his job at the private university that employed him. So in a way, he made his move into full-time entrepreneurship during the pandemic. But Jason feels that it is a blessing in disguise that happened for the timing. He has been bored during the quarantine, but the business has been booming as well. He has been selling stuff very well for the last four weeks. He had only four days when there were no sales, but other than that, it is a great time to sell things of all types. Jason sometimes sold up to four items within 24 hours. The previous product Jason transacted was a pair of running shoes which he got for free and then sold it for $84.99. Message to Readers Jason's message to the readers of this article is to start and not be afraid to start. The pandemic in 2020 has shown that the world will never be the same again. Take this time to learn a new skill to start a new side hustle, and invest in yourself. No one can be sure how this Corona situation will pan out, so you have to have some side income coming in regardless of your job situation. So start. I felt like Jason was talking to me. So I started. I posted two items for sell on eBay. I was so excited. Then yesterday, a week later, I was scrolling on my phone and received a notification. Yes, eBay notified me that one of my items just sold. More excitement. I messaged Jason right away to tell him about the accomplishment. I also posted my "win" across my social platforms telling people if I can do it, you can too. I am being very intentional about my eBay sales as I have a financial goal to reach by the end of the year and I plan to use eBay, to sell things we haven't touched in a year, to help get there. To hear the full podcast interview: JASON ON THE MONEY EXCHANGE Jason can be found on Facebook at My Money Chronicles and Twitter at Money_Chronicles, and he also runs his own FB Group of My Money Chronicles - The Inner Circle. To read all the stories which Jason posts head over to his website, My Money Chronicles. As the world grapples with Coronavirus or COVID -19, we wanted to share the story of Andy Hill, who paid off more than 195K mortgage in 4 years and increased his net worth by over 900K in 9 years. Andy is an award-winning blogger and podcaster behind Marriage Kids And Money. Pay Off Mortgage How does someone living a regular American family life and earning a monthly salary pay off a 195K mortgage in 4 years? When Andy and his wife got married, they wanted to move out of the bachelor pad Andy had and move into a regular house. They found a beautiful home in a nice neighborhood with good schools, but it came with a considerable price tag. Andy and Nicole made a compromise to pick up the mortgage but with a promise to pay it in less than five years. Until their mortgage was over, they decided only to spend 50% of their monthly income on regular expenses. So they got a 195K mortgage and agreed to explicitly sit down once a month for what they called a budget party. The ability to live on 50% of income enabled them to live like a regular family but still allowed them to pay off the 195K in four years. Budget Party A budget party is a term they coined for their monthly review of the home finances and to understand how they are spending their money, which they started around 2011. They plan out the goals ahead, including financial and family, as well as fun goals like vacations that they want to do in the future. So they take this opportunity to center themselves and their relationship and also plan other things, including what the kids are doing. Changing the language of money Andy discovered early on that he and his wife Nicole had a very different language when it came to money. Nicole is very excited about what money can do for you today, the fun and excitement it gives you, and enables you to have the things that you want. Andy has a very, very long-term view about money in it that he doesn't mind saving, and it makes him happy. But for them to be on the same page, Andy had to learn the language that Nicole could understand and reciprocate. So Andy had to learn to change his language from geek speak to the fun outcomes-based approach to be more in line with how Nicole thought about money, and when that happened, the monthly budget meetings went like a breeze. Net worth realization and progress When it comes to net worth, Andy describes, he never understood what the term net worth meant until he listened to Suze Orman. He assumed cos he and Nicole were earning close to 120K at that time; his net worth would be huge. But when Andy applied the calculations that Suze Orman mentioned, it dawned on him that his net worth was negative 50K. That was a big shock to him as that's when the realization hit that despite all that he owned, he wasn't rich; in fact, he was broke and owed 50K to others. From negative 50K to 850K where his net worth is now, he had an extended 9-year journey to get there and get there the right way. Using the budget party, saving 50% of his income, funneling any extra commissions which came in from his sales role into creating a permanent frugal lifestyle has enabled this success. Andy and his family decreased their expenses one by one, starting with being on this track of paying off the mortgage in less than five years. Then Andy's wife Nicole went full-time stay-at-home mom. She was part-time with the first child, and when the second child came in, she went full-time stay at home, so they had a significant income hit. So they started small like shifting grocery shopping from Kroger to Aldi and were able to save about three hundred bucks a month. They then decided to cut out cable right around the time their second child was born as they were not watching that much TV anyway, saving 80 bucks a month. Then they had a re-assessment of their insurance needs and saved a nice amount of money. They moved to some high-deductible plans that which reduced monthly cost on their health insurance. They also saved by combining auto and our home with the same insurer. They were taking a little bit more the risk, so they were able to save a little bit more money.  Involving future generation
Getting their children (Zoe, who is seven and Calvin, who is five) involved in home finances, helped them inculcate saving habits and hard work requirements in them at a young age. Every Saturday morning, the kids do a chore program, so they come down after they wake up to make a little breakfast, and they have three essential yet kids size chores. The chores could include things like for Zoe to empty the silverware and put it in the drawer or for Calvin to help unload the mini garbage cans that are in the bathroom. The essential little things and they need to do anyway, so they want to show them that it's imperative to help around the house to help your family, but then also you get paid for it. They learn to correlate that when you help out people, you're going to get paid in the future, so we give them a dollar that's equivalent to their age, so Calvin gets five bucks, and Zoe gets seven bucks. Message to the audience The message Andy would like to give to the audience reading this blog is to be intentional with your saving habits. The things that you want to do in life write them down in a journal saying this is the life that I want to have and then look at what are the steps that you can take to get there. Also, please don't be pressured into thinking that you need to get it tomorrow. Andy mentions his story is a 10-year story, and after so many years, he can narrate his story as a success. You have to realize that there are so many steps that can happen under those big goals, and that's the fun part that's the journey. Don't think about the destination, don't think about mortgage freedom or the debt freedom believe in the process. It's going to take time to get there because not only are you educating yourself and making a lot of progress personally, but your kids are watching. So you are modeling some incredible behavior that they are going to then emulate in the future, so enjoy the journey, and that's the fun part. To listen to my full interview with Andy Hill check it out here ANDY HILL INTERVIEW If you would like to read more about Andy and his journey or listen to his podcast Marriage Kids & Money, you can go to https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/.  These tips work very well in good or bad economic times Managing family spending is essential to accomplish a variety of goals from saving for a reason, retiring in style, educating the kids, and covering unexpected expenses. But, establishing a solid financial plan will also help your family survive recessions and other setbacks. These 5 tips cover some important aspects of your cost of living and will bring happiness to your family as a bonus. A common misconception is that financial literacy is for people who are struggling to make ends meet. However, those households that plan and monitor spending are better equipped to achieve their goals. Most of the tips are basic because a solid financial base sets your family up for long term sustainable success. 1. Create a Spending Plan Nowadays it’s challenging to keep living expenses under control due to how easy it is to buy anything and everything online. A spending strategy can help you keep track of your spending and control your online expenses. It’s a great tool for monitoring your daily financial life. A spending plan allows you to match your payday with your bills due date, list your spending by categories, set spending limits for certain items, track the cost of living over a month or 2, plan for future expenses, and much more. There is no universal spending plan tool, so you may have to try several before finding one that works best for your family. Nevertheless, when a spending plan is used correctly, it is like placing your finances under a microscope. You will get a close-up view of where your money is going. 2. Set up an Emergency Fund Unexpected expenses such as home repair, a trip to the E.R., job loss, or natural disasters can wreck your entire finances for months. An emergency fund allows you to pay for these types of expenses without crashing your budget. There is published data that states most people do not have $400 in their emergency fund, but even having $200 available for unexpected costs is better than having nothing. Consider using your tax refund to increase your emergency fund. As a volunteer tax preparer most of my clients use their refunds to pay recurring bills and make new purchases. While this might be a good use of the refund, stashing a few bucks in the emergency fund is not a bad idea. 3. Reduce Spending on One Recurring Monthly Expense Select one monthly recurring cost and focus on reducing the monthly cost. A good place to start may be the grocery bill. Researcher states that Americans spend nearly $500 per year on snacks. The findings included all types of snacks. The study commissioned by a chocolate company revealed that 18% of participants would give up all their electronic devices for one month for a lifetime supply of just chocolate and snacks. As we experience life changes all recurring monthly expenses can be evaluated for cost-cutting. Review those recurring charges on your credit card and monitor your credit report at least annually. Review all of your monthly subscriptions make sure that they are serving the purpose intended. 4. Get Out of Debt Although you won’t be able to pay off your debt immediately, it is never too late to start. For me debt was a cycle. I would live debt-free for a while and I would find myself in debt again. This pattern repeated itself over and over until I discover how to stop the debt cycle. I am non-judgmental when it comes to people’s struggle with debt. If you need a psychologically boost to reducing your debt try adding a few extra dollars to each payment. This will reduce the amount of time it takes to pay off the debt and interest charges. As you think about how much to spend on transportation, electronics, and vacation keep in mind that the least expensive choice may not save you money in the long run. There is truth in the saying “you get what you pay for.” Sometimes better experiences come with a slightly higher price. 5. Comparison Shop for Insurance One of the easiest ways to find savings is to evaluate your insurance cost. Families typically carry health, life, auto, and home insurance. Some families carry additional options and riders to their policies. It is always wise to revisit your policies before the renewal date and as family needs change. You may find additional savings if you have an excellent driving record or live and work in low traffic areas. Life insurance cost increased about 8% on average as you age, assuming your health stays the same. Expect to pay 2 to 3 times more for life insurance if you are a smoker. However if you quit, the insurer’s usually will offer you the nonsmoker rate. I was surprised to find that only 57% of Americans own life insurance in 2019. This is down from a peak of 63% in 2011. Use your defensive mindset when shopping for insurance. Without proper coverage a claim could decimate your emergency fund or push you into deep debt.  So let’s get the whole family involved in the fun and games. Sammyrabbit loves kids and he is hopping with a wide range of financial literacy activity books and videos that will develop young minds and keep them busy for hours on end. The teen in the family will enjoy having a personal guided journal to help them manage their finances. It’$ My Money Guided Journal is designed to enrich teenagers with simple but smart financial information while providing inspiring quotes and guided questions. If you feel stuck financially you may want to check in with a financial coach occasionally to make sure that you are on track to meet your goals and that you’re not making mistakes or missing opportunities. Life events such as getting married or divorced having a child, dealing with the death or disability of a family member are all good times to consult a financial coach. Regardless, of your family situation, a young nest, an empty nest, or somewhere in the middle these basic strategies should stay with you throughout your financial journey. Even if your finances are not an issue we all can use a refresher once in a while. Guest Blog Post from – Bobby Clark Bobby is the CEO and founder of Clark on Money Coaching Services, a firm that he recently started that specializes in helping dad’s who feel stuck financially find simple solutions to their frustrations while providing solid guidance toward goal achievement. He is a graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a degree in Applied Psychology. He also earned a CFP Professional Education Certificate from the College for Financial Planning. To learn more, connect with Bobby on Linkedin at: www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyclarkfinancialcoach   This post may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission or direct payment. Information shared on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice.
You may have received the economic impact relief payment also known as the stimulus check. This was money deposited in your account. Eligible individuals received $1,200 and married, filing jointly, received $2,400. So what you can do with your stimulus check? Here are 5 Tips providing you have all of the essentials you and your family. The tips are not in any particular order. The tips can also apply if you are receiving unemployment benefits given the fact those benefits have been increased by $600 a week. 1. EMERGENCY FUND Start or increase your emergency fund. The goal is to have 6 - 9 months in a high yield online savings account. How do you determine how much to save? To create an emergency fund you should use your budget FREE BUDGET SHEET to determine what your total monthly expenses are. Once you determine the monthly expense number and times it by 6 or 9 months. Here is an example of a 6 month emergency fund for someone with a total expenses of $1,000. $1,000 (monthly expense) x 6 (months) = $6,000 If you don't already have an online saving account try either Capital One 360, Ally or Marcus by Goldman Sachs. 2. INVEST Someone asked, "Do I need to work with a professional to invest?" The answer is yes, you can use a professional and you have the ability to purchase individual stocks from several different apps as well. One of my favorite app is Robinhood. Here is a link to ROBINHOOD. Using this link, you can open an account at Robinhood and as a result of doing so both you and I will get a free share of stock of a random company. There is also an investing course called Perfect Portfolio that can give you tips to determine how to chose stocks that may work for you. Try PERFECT PORTFOLIO 3. PAY DOWN CREDIT CARDS Pay down credit card debt. The best way to get the quickest wins is to pay off credit card debt that have the lowest balance due. Once paid it will give a great sense of accomplishment. Usually the suggestions given encourages you to pay debt with the highest interest rates however in these case it is about erasing the debt. Given that fact, if a lower interest rate card a smaller balance lets you knock that out and be done with it. Example: If you have 2 credit cards:
4. START A BUSINESS What is that business that you have been wanting to start? Do you cook, do you bake do you sew, do you know how to create presentations? What other skills do you have? Well it is time to get started. Ensure you get set up structurally. Name your business, get an employee identification number (EIN) and open a business bank account. 5. DONATE Yes, donate. It is always good to give back. The amount doesn't matter it is the gesture that matters. Pick an organization or people locally that you know that are in need. They can be a part of your community, your church, or an oraginaztion that aligns to your heart and help out. I hope this inspires you to use the economic relief money or stimulus check to pay off credit cards and create additional streams of income for you and your family. Also, if you have not received your check the IRS has a website site which you can check the status of your payment. Go here to CHECK STATUS People who currently receive social security benefits will receive their stimulus checks within the next two weeks. They do not need to do anything to receive it. For those that will get a paper check, those will start to be mailed later.  Pay Yourself First is something I advocate with all. It is even more important once you get your stimulus check. If possible use the check to start an emergency fund. If nothing else, the coronavirus has taught us how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected. For ongoing, one of the best ways to "Pay Yourself First" is to allocate a certain dollar amount to save, every time you get paid, have it automatically deposited to an online only savings account then FORGET ABOUT IT. It is important that this dollar amount is included in your regular budget and is sustainable. What I mean by sustainable is, you should be able to consistently save this amount without blowing your budget. So if this happens to be a good week or month of income and you start with a $100 deposit this pay period and the next and the $100 causes you to blow our budget that results in you taking some out of your savings that defeats the intended purpose of set and forget about it. The purpose is to see the money increase. So start small, put it in an online savings account and forget about it helps make it sustainable. I prefer you start with something like $20 per pay cycle and do the $20 every pay period. Then assess every 3-6 months to see if there is an opportunity in your budget for you to increase that amount being saved. This way your money is being increased and you are earning simple and compounding interest.
When searching for an online only savings account you want to choose the one that works best for your individual situation. Things to consider:
The below are a few online savings accounts for you to consider. Note as I write this the information it is subject change. As an example the interest rate is something that is subject to change. Capital one 360
- Capital one to another bank - 2-3 business days (48-72 hours) Ally
- Will take 3 business days when requested before 1 am Et on Monday- Friday - 1 day when requested before 7:30pm Et on Monday-Friday Marcus By Goldman Sachs
- Wire transfer - 1 hour American Express Savings
When you make the transfer it will let you know when the funds will be in the account you are transferring it to. So you may be saying to yourself, do I need another account for this money to be transferred to and the answer is yes. For point of comparison of online savings banks interest rates to the local banks. Local banks are like 0.35% interest rates and local credit unions may be a bit more but by far the online only savings account will yield you. The key to earning interest on the money is keeping in the account and letting it accumulate over time. I love the quote by M.K. Asante Jr. "When you make an observation, You have an obligation". This goes nicely with this topic. How? Because we have observed how what we knew as normal can change in the snap of a finger and we have an obligation to be prepared financially weather the storm. Remember, the steps are:
Need help with your personal finances or more on this topic let me know CONTACT PATRINA  I was on an Experian CreditChat Panel and was inspired therefore wanted to share some of my tips here. During this time we are all trying to cope with this COVID19 pandemic and the new norms. Some of us have never gone through anything like this before so we are learning as we go along. We are all trying to stay safe by practicing social distancing and staying in and sort of be quarantined.
5 Things to do: 1. Offer help to those in need. If you happen to have extra be sure to share during this time. Many people are suffering but some are not. Don't exhaust your essentials to give to others but if you have an abundance then consider sharing. If you do this, let the kids participate. 2. Continue to budget your money. It is extremely important to monitor what you are spending. A budget or spending plan is the best way to do so. Here is a free, downloadable, budget sheet you can use BUDGET SHEET. Budgeting is simple, write down all of your income and all of your expense and visit it regularly. Be mindful of dates as well. 3. If needed, contact your mortgage, rent and utility companies and make arrangements. Only do this if this is necessary. 4. Pay your credit card bills on time. If possible, pay the minimum balance and pay it on time. Paying on time is 35% of your credit score. 5. Spend more time with your family and BE PRESENT. What do I mean by that? Put the phone down. Play board games, cook, bake and organize closets together. Maybe each of you had a book and discuss the chapters as you go along. 5 Things not to do: 1. Don't panic buy. Buy things you need for your specific household. Right now the stores are staying open so when you run out of things you will have an opportunity to go and get more. 2. Don't spend more than what you need. 3. Don't sit around all day long in front of a computer and eat all day. Get up on move around and get fresh air. 4. Don't over consume the news. Watch to be sure you are current but don't consume it more than you need to. 5. Don't open any new credit cards. Finally, please don't panic and get fresh air daily. Also, If you are one that may get a stimulus check put it to good use. Her are a few ideas:
Please remember to continue with your budgeting. Here is a free resource BUDGET SHEET Leave a comment and let me know if you would add to either list.  There is a lot of things going on in the world right now with the Coronavirus and have been trying to stay current and hope you are watching the news to get the most up-to-date information BUT don't over consume it - please find a happy balance. As I learn of breaking news I am making that available in the It'$ My Money Squad Facebook Group.If you are not a member, consider joining for free by clicking here.
With so much going on it has clouded that fact that this is National Women's History Month. I am excited about the interviews I have had with a diverse group of fantastic women. They are sharing money stories and tips to help all of you. Below are the episodes that I have released thus far. Episode 42 - Saving your home from foreclosure A consumer protection attorney defines foreclosure, how to prevent foreclosure and what to do if it happens to you. She walks through the various stages and where you can find a consumer protection attorneys in your area. Sarah Poriss is an attorney in West Hartford, Connecticut who has made a career of working with people who are in some kind of financial crisis. She helps homeowners who are behind on their mortgages or are in foreclosure, as well as counseling people who are overwhelmed by credit card debt, and who want to improve their credit scores. She is the author of Got Debt? Dispatches from the Front Lines of America’s Financial Crisis, a book of stories of working with people in debt over the last ten years, which is available on Amazon.com. Soundcloud - Eps42 | Apple podcast- Eps42 | Spotify- Eps42 | Stitcher- Eps42 | Pandora- Eps42 Episode 43 Why you should invest in real estate? Monick shares why all should invest real estate. She talks about how and why she got started investing in real estate and how you can as well. Monick Halm is the founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses. She is an educator and advocate for female real estate investors, and has a mission to help 1 million women achieve financial freedom through real estate. Monick is herself a real estate investor and syndicator, and owns, together with her investors, over 1300 rental units across six states. She is also a #1 bestselling author, podcast host, Real Estate Strategy Mentor, wife, and mother of three amazing kids. In 2020 she is fulfilling a long-held dream and spending the year traveling the world with her husband and daughter. Soundcloud- Eps43 | Spotify- Eps43 | Stitcher- Eps43 | Apple podcast- Eps43 | Pandora- Eps43 Episode - 44 - Lessons Learned When Buying A Home Justine is the Founder of a real estate education site called Live with Plum, which aims to be the home buying guide for the modern woman. The site was inspired by her personal experience buying in NYC and seeing how little resources there were for female home buyers. She lives in NYC and originally hails from Singapore. SoundCloud -Eps 44 | Apple-Eps 44 | Spotify- Eps 44 | Stitcher-Eps 44 | Pandora-Eps 44 To get an automatic notification of when future podcast episodes become available, subscribe to The Money Exchange Podcast on the platform for which you listen to podcasts. Here are the links for easy reference: Spotify | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Pandora | Apple Enjoy!!!  Spring is in the air, and it’s the perfect time to not only clean up around the house but to also spruce up your budget! Remember those money goals you set in January? Time to revisit them and make sure your budget reflects your financial needs for the remainder of the year. Don’t know where to start?
Here are 3 ways to Spring clean your budget: 1. Lower Your Grocery Bill Food is a major part of the average family budget. Finding ways to cut your grocery bill can make a major difference in managing your finances. Try couponing or switching to store brands to save. You can also watch the sales papers to make sure you’re getting the best price for the products you use. It is a great idea to make a list so you don't buy things you don't need. 2. Automate Your Saving Saving money is difficult for a lot of people. Whether it’s enticing clearance sales or your daily cup of coffee, sometimes the smallest purchases can throw you off track. In order to make saving easier, try automating the process. I call this "Pay Yourself First". Set up an online only savings account or at a local credit union. Determine a certain dollar amount to go into that savings account then automate it. Yes, have the set amount automatically deposited into the new savings account. Another way to automate your savings to using is to try out saving apps like Acorns, which takes the change from your purchases and invests it for you. Find a way to save even if it’s only a small amount, each dollar add ups. 3. Clean Up Your Spending While spring cleaning your home, think about cleaning up your spending as well. It’s the perfect time to cancel any subscriptions to services that you haven’t used such as gym memberships, magazines and things like that. Review your cable and cell phone terms and see if you can get better rates at another provider or by calling your current provider to negotiate the terms. Try calling your credit card company to get you interest rates lowered. The point here review things that are preventing you from saving or from saving more and cut it our or reduce the spending. These few changes can help you make the most of your money for spring and the rest of the year. Good luck! Any additional ideas or things you do to "Spring" clean your finances, drop it in comments. Need help. Let me know Contact Patrina |
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