Are You Living Within Your Means?

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“I can’t afford this but I really want it!” How many of us have this conversation with ourselves far too often? We live in a culture of hyper-spending and minimal saving. (And don’t forget about the Jones’ we try to keep up with) America has a negative savings rate, meaning we spend more money than we earn and use debt to fund our lifestyles. In essence, we live at the mercy of our credit cards...
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5 Ways to Fake It ‘Til You Make It

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We often recite the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” as a justification for our spending habits. Most people “fake it” in the wrong manner. Instead of adopting the good practices of wealthy individuals, we tend to mimic the consumption practices of the wealthy and incur debt in the process of trying to “look the part”. But here are five ways you can "act" wealthy and get on the path to financial freedom...
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The Top African Americans in Financial Literacy

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"Bearers of the torch". These exemplary figures are transforming the financial literacy movement. Their backgrounds and professions vary, but all of the selected persons are very keen in understanding that underserved, urban communities are at the crux of where financial literacy is desperately needed...
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Upgrade Your Cool: 5 Personal Finance Apps to Kick-Off Your New Year!

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As I navigate the world day-to-day, I often wonder how prior generations made it through life without smart phones and the almighty world of amazing apps!  Apps (software programs you can download onto your average smart phone either for free or for a nominal fee) have recently become such an integral part of what it means to be more efficient, socially-adept, and even consumer-savvy...

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Education: A Financial Curse?

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My business partner and I are often baffled by the responses we receive when we ask parents of college bound teenagers or young adults eyeing graduate degrees, ‘how are you saving for your future educational expenses’? The answers generally sound like the chorus of “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, coincidentally an American college-party classic...
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