by Rupe | Jul 11, 2016 | Money Matters
The Great Recession is over. The economy is back on its feet. That’s the popular narrative Americans see and hear every day, but the impact of the financial crisis is still being felt across the country, especially by women of color. A new report (pdf) highlights how “pinklining,” a term most people have probably never heard, is hurting women and especially women of color.
Source: Pinklining: The Financial Threat More Women of Color Are Facing
My Comments: The struggle of black and brown folks. We need to take collective responsibility for more of these issues within our communities.
by Rupe | Jun 10, 2016 | Money Matters
My Comments: Interview with Christine Benz by Jeremy Glaser. Really great advice as always from Morningstar.
by Rupe | May 23, 2016 | Money Matters
We love credit cards as much as we hate paying bills. As a nation we have an addiction to instant gratification. In the not so distant past, Americans actually had to save money before making a purchase. Seeing that many Americans have nothing in their pockets except lint and cell phones with
Source: Putting it on plastic again – Record number of credit …
My Comments: Interesting…
by Rupe | May 10, 2016 | Money Matters
Contractor fraud and home repair scams are all too commonplace. No matter how many reviews you’ve read online, follow these rules to avoid being ripped off.
Imagine: You’re having lunch and a contractor knocks on your door. He has extra driveway sealant left over from a job around the corner and offers it to you at a discount. Your driveway could use a refresh, so you agree. He “seals” your driveway, and then one rainfall later, it washes away. Clearly, that wasn’t leftover sealant, and you just spent hundreds of dollars on what was essentially watered-down black paint.
Source: How To Spot A Home Repair Scam And Contractor Fraud…
My Comments: Good article.
by Rupe | Apr 11, 2016 | Money Matters
There is an ongoing perception that most of the workforce has a college degree. When we say college degree we mean at a minimum a bachelor’s degree. You would think that with $1.3 trillion in student debt outstanding a good portion of the work force would be college educated.
Source: The education and employment myth: Almost two-thirds of ...
My Comment: Pretty interesting and concerning piece…
by Rupe | Mar 31, 2016 | Money Matters, what the...?
The real unemployment rate is nearly twice as high as the stated headline unemployment rate. Only 44 percent of the adult population is engaged in full-time employment. This is also reflected in the 94 million Americans that are part of the “not in the labor force” category. When you have 1 out of 3 Americans being unable to afford rent, food, or transportation then it is understandable that you are going to have anger.
Source: 1 out of 3 American households can no longer afford rent, …
My Comments: The nastiest cut is that less fortunate black, white and brown people are being pitted against each through racist dog whistling, in order to deflect.
White people listen –
black and brown people want the same things that you want for you and your families. We do understand the territorial imperatives and the primal need to gravitate towards your own – believe me we do. But in this – the most powerful and richest country in all of time – there is more than enough for all of us (you and the not yous*) to go around. Stop being manipulated by the ruling elite into believing otherwise. They are nothing but wolves in sheep clothing. Just because they might look like you, doesn’t mean they give a shit about you.
Why are so many of you/us suffering while our government leaders corruptly curry favor with banks, large corporation and industries to put policies in place that hurt us, and from which they profit. Stop having them manipulate you through your religious and social beliefs, they could give a fat baby’s ass if you are for abortion or gay rights. They – really – don’t – care.
I know many before have called for another way, but it is not easy. It is not easy because we are lazy – lazy is just what we do. We like the familiar, change is scary and too uncertain. But anything short, of uniting in a fundamental way to change our society, will only continue to move us towards that which is not-great. So put away the demagogues and race-baiters and Unite with all for our country and declare a movement for prosperity for all races. A house divided will never ever stand – we continue this charade to our peril.
