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How this 31-year old Govt. Auditor Spends $64,000 in DC
In 2014, I moved from Tallahassee, Florida to Washington, DC. An opportunity of a lifetime awaited and I did not hesitate. Similar to the ideas in “Think and Grow Rich“, a good choice should never linger for more than 30 seconds. Making no more than $32,000 annually (before Uncle Sam’s cut) at my last position; receiving a phone call for DOUBLE WAS A NO BRAINER, NO MATTER THE ODDS. What Goes Up Cost of living increases added up quickly. Those first few months were rather rough. I was hit with setbacks: waiting on old paychecks and new paychecks, sleeping on the ground in the cold and dead of winter, without adequate heat…
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How I Improved My Salary by 5x in 5 years
Back in 2012, I was hit with the perfect storm. It was as if God was throwing rocks at me so that I could eventually avoid the boulder. Being poor is indeed the hardest job in America. Here are the five unfortunate events in no chronological order: The (then) girlfriend broke up with me for her abusive ex. Her number one concern is that we would always be financially broke. My credit card bounced. That moment when the cashier rings you up and nothing happens. You let them know to run it again and nothing happens. You go home mad and make the call to the credit card company. And you finally realize that…
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Do Blacks in the US Deserve Wealth
Despite progress in educational attainment, disposable income and increasing diversity and inclusion efforts, this generation will still face the largest racial and ethnic wealth gaps on the road to equitable prosperity. In essence, this will definitely get worse sooner and last longer.
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How to go from Broke to Affluent: A Guide to the Seven Wealth Stages of Financial Freedom for Millennials
A guide to the Seven Wealth Stages of Financial Freedom. Move boldly while remembering that everyone had to start somewhere.
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How to Build the Next Black Multi-Millionaires
How to Build on the Net Max Financial Plan to Transform it into the Net Max FIRE Plus Strategy for Long Term Generational Wealth.
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How to Improve Your Resume Profile With Your Own Linkedin Address
One of the easiest ways to add an ounce of professionalism is to customize your public profile URL. Follow this step by step way to edit your public profile URL. Goal: Instead of saying linkedin.com/in/23679523965; it will say linkedin.com/in/yourname. It’s a great way to promote your brand and allow others to perceive your awesomeness. I guess it also helps in your search results and blah blah blah (insert important adult stuff). This trick let me drop a subtle hint to employers that I wasn’t the average candidate. Maybe later, I’ll draft an article on having the perfect résumé. I went from making $21k before taxes to $64k before taxes in less than…
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How to Find an Affordable Home – Four Expert Methods that You Can Use
There’s more to buying a home than the selling price and interest rate. You can expect to pay anywhere from 2% to 5% of the purchase price in closing costs. For this reason, buying a home is not a very good short-term investment. Common closing costs (which will pop out of nowhere) include application fee ($$$), appraisal fee ($500+), attorney fees (if you need it), property taxes (because Uncle Sam and the Cheetoh), mortgage insurance (cuz we can't have nice things), home inspection ($250+), first year homeowner’s insurance premium (making it rain), title search ($$), title insurance, points (prepaid interest), origination fee, recording fees and survey fee. Just throw about…
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Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Why Financial Literacy Matters Now More than Ever
Financial Literacy is among the major complaints of this generation. You can’t go one day without seeing a budgeting meme, a broke meme, or the classic running away from bills meme. People are fleeing the country to avoid paying student loans, it’s getting pretty nuts out there. (Sallie Mae needs to invest in retrieval squads) Student Loan Default rates are heading toward 80% by 2024 On top of that, our social circle Twitter pundits are quick to mention that this wouldn’t have happened if they taught this in school. On the flipside, I’m wondering if the teachers are complaining about not having enough money, budgeting issues, and not understanding the terms…
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How to Make $100K Generate $100K Passively with a Financial Plan
I never professed to be the best with money but I know how to construct a financial plan. The very reason that I’m writing this now, is because I took the fast ramp toward debt, depression, and anxiety. For most of us, unlucky with money, either from not being born with it or just squandering early opportunities; the road is rocky and rough. I grew up with no concept of how to administer a self-diagnostic; I only know that I’m well when I’m already through it. In that aspect, I’m lucky. Most people will never know the opportunities missed until it’s too late. “If we have persisted in making errors,…
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How to Avoid Being Broke & Bougie. Brunches, Day Parties and Spending For the Culture!
Disclaimers upfront… 1. Before anyone gets triggered, just know that this article isn’t primarily about you or your friends, and your love for all things culinary. For the love of brunch, I’m a guy who has over 20 million views on Google Maps, primarily related to food and restaurants – I’m squarely among you or even more bougie (hacked truncation of the word Bourgeoisie). 2. I love numbers and because of how my brain operates, I get intrigued. Ever since I came to DC, I had a nagging feeling that all of these numbers don’t add up (for us) and in turn, adds up to quite a *brunch (bunch – see what I did there) for…
