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Critical Tips and Tricks That You Need to Know Before Buying a Home
When I bought my first home/condo in late October 2016, once the paperwork was signed and the keys were rendered to me, I sat on the floor and thanked God for that moment. I also proceeded to play ratchet music for the next hour. By November 2016, the 2nd-floor pipe froze and voila rain forest in the living room. I actually laughed. I wasn’t even in town so I figured that I rather go to sleep and handle it in the morning. For one, the floor was eventually replaced and the drywall was painted over once the home dried; I walked away with an important lesson. “Nothing Works All The Time…”…
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Getting Started Early. How to Invest While In College
Graduation hit. You tabulated all the congrats on social media. I’m sure you have 9 pics for your best nine. The haters are mad salty. The Likes are up and the pressure of real-life hasn’t quite hit. So before you hop on your #travelnoire excursion or kick back a few mimosas at brunch consider this, Student loans and Bills are coming! Running a successful wealth building legacy is a relay race, not a solo sprint. What’s working in your favor is time and personal effort. Here’s the outline or success money script that you need to consider. 1. What are your goals? Dreams? Fears? and Aspirations? 2. What’s your Financial Plan for the next 5, 10, 15-years?…
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From -$110K in Debt to $115K+ in Four Years
Hello, I’m Lawrence, a 36-year old Haitian-American plus Brazilian man, who went from over -$110,000 to $116,000 in net worth in 4 years. Starting off in January 2014 with $5,800 in credit card debt, $105,000 in student loans, additional moving fees of $5,000 pending, and a new job in DC, I was a bit stressed. As of December 2018, I closed out the year with a huge sigh of relief. My net worth peaked at $116,000+. “Sometimes you go as far as you can and then you go further.” I have seen low points back in 2012 in Tallahassee, Florida; working for an annual salary of $21,000. However, the winter of…
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How a 33-year old Millennial Makes and Spends $79,000 salary in DC
The Follow-Up to the Budget of a 31-year old Govt. Auditor making $64,000 Salary in DC. To be honest, 2015 was a rough year. Lesson learned – never break up with a girl around New Year; you will be paying for it all year. She went into Mad Queen mode. I ended up having to move 4 times. But like all things, I persisted throughout the process. In gratefulness, I was able to experience different parts of DC on a fast track from Arlington, to Columbia Heights and finally settling on the land beyond the shadows, Largo, MD. In Columbia Heights, I was able to live a sitcom life. Five bedrooms and two baths shared with…
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Breaking Down The Net/Max Parent+ Financial Plan Step-by-Step
Of the 11 million families with children under age 18, and no spouse present, the majority are single mothers (8.5 million). Single fathers compose the remaining 2.5 million single-parent families. As such, it is only fitting that I draft a Net/Max Financial Plan for Single Parents. Moving the community forward wouldn’t work without supporting the strongest pillars. This is a road map; and, a Thank You for a job well done (before, during, and long after). For those brand new to this thread, here’s a fast track on reading material that you will need to LEVEL UP; the future Pulitzer Net/Max Financial Plan for Singles, The Magic Number for Million dollar Millennials, and When You…
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How to Avoid This Student Loan Debt Trap. I Added $10,000 Without Knowing
Full disclosure, this was my student debt experience. Your experience may vary. Yep, you read it correctly, I once spent $10,000 without knowing in a span of fewer than 18 months. What’s worse is that I have proof. What could have been 2 all-expense paid trips to the Maldives, 2 flights to Carnival (Trinidad and Rio), and/or many baller-rific nights where we would pop bottles; was merely an expense of $10k without knowing. With that said, I’m writing to spare you. As a Financial Coach, Tax Planner, and Bonafide Expert in all things poverty, I would like nothing more than for you to read this, think it over and share it with the nearest college student. Seth…
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When You are Your Parents’ Retirement Plan
With an aging population and a generation of young adults struggling with finances, the responsibilities of middle-aged Americans are increasing. Adulting is set to be even harder.
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$77,000+ is the Magic Number for Million Dollar Millennials. How?
After spending about 5 years trying to help people through resume building, financial literacy tips, articles, personal 1-on-1s; I Found out Financial Literacy can be Easier.
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Home Ownership – How Much Can I Afford?
*Tips and Tricks Underlined While my roommate was having a fit about AC (in late July 2016); I ended up chatting with the landlord. Turns out he was selling the other apartment; and showed it to me. He said $125k. I said sold First of all, I don’t think your first purchase should be that complicated. You need to know the price and understand how much you can afford. I ended up purchasing my first home in October of 2016. It was in the same condominium complex. Additionally, I knew the area and the price was reasonable compared to the crazy studios in DC for $250k+. Reducing my expenses the year prior…
