Money Management Made Simple: Recent Episodes

Jillian Verdun

Jillian Verdun explains financial management in an understandable way and provides tips and tricks to improve your current financial situation.

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It’s great to be excited about your entrepreneurial pursuits. But we also will begin to feel off-kilter when other areas of our life go neglected. Here are some tips for avoiding becoming a slave to your business.

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As the year gradually wraps up, there’s no better time to go back to the list of the financial goals you made at the beginning of the year to see how far you have come. The end of the year tends to be one of the busiest times for most people, however, slacking on making strategic year-end moves could affect you long term, even into the new year. Ticking off all your financial checklist between now and year-end might not be feasible, but you can set the ball rolling for the following year by taking steps in the right direction. Here, we've made a list of strategic year-end money moves to help you get started before the merriment of the holiday season sets in.

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Financial independence is the goal of many people. The idea of being able to do what you love, living stress-free of money concerns, is appealing. Why is this goal elusive for so many? It is often because people ignore the basic principles that are the foundation to achieve financial independence. There are some common points that can help you reach the goal of financial independence. Once you reach financial independence, you will be able to make more choices on how you want to live. 

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With the lockdowns over and the pandemic situation rapidly improving, many American families will hit the road this summer. Unfortunately, many of those same families are struggling with the financial fallout from the pandemic. You can still hit the road if the money’s tight. All you have to do is travel cheaply and stick to a budget.

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If you’ve been thinking of how to make some extra cash while living your best life in this new year, then you’re in the right place. Ready? Let’s dive in! We’ve brought you nine amazing ways to smash your money goals and earn some extra cash without having to sell your stuff or earn another degree–(of course, they are all legit way).

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In part one, we went through the basics of what you needed to put in place before 2022. We covered everything from creating a budget, to having an emergency fund, managing your debts, and even optimizing your portfolio. But it's one thing to plan, and it's another thing to execute; you must have the right tools and mindset in place to be able to carry out your plans.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had the opportunity to reflect on where they are in their lives and whether or not their jobs are making them happy. Some are trying to adapt, while others had decided to change careers.

The notion of a career shift can be intimidating, especially in an uncertain market, and changing employment is never a decision to be made lightly. Despite the initial inconvenience and nerve-wracking thoughts and processes, it could be the most rewarding thing you do in the long run, when you eventually get it right.

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Perhaps you've evaluated your financial performance in 2021, and you haven't progressed as much as you would have liked to. To help you stay ahead in 2022, we've listed out some major financial moves you could make. Sticking to new year's resolutions may not be easy, a consistent push can ensure remarkable progress in the long run. Here are 4 New Year's Financial Resolutions that you should consider in order to improve your finances in 2022.

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Improving your credit score offers several benefits in various aspects, such as getting loan approval, renting a home, and getting lower interest rates. Fortunately, if you have low credit, you can increase it by implementing various strategies. Here is what to do to improve your credit score.

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Starting a business can be an exciting endeavor. A business can bring the possibility of taking control of your life. You can be your own boss and depending upon what type of business you decide to start, you might be able to avoid a daily trip to an office. However, you'll want to plan ahead before giving it a go so that you can make it more likely your business is around for the long haul.

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Most of us have a good handle on our monthly budget. We know how much it costs to cover insurance, utilities, housing, and so forth. Those expenses are easier to track because they come up every month. The hard part is finding a way to budget for those occasional items--a vacation, new appliances, or other big outlays that come along less frequently. Here's a simple guide to preparing for those purchases without getting strapped for cash.

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Many people believe that investing exists as a way for people who are already rich to get even richer. If you don't have much money to start with, it's difficult to impossible to become an investor. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Consider Warren Buffett, the most famed and probably greatest investor of all time. When you picture him, you picture what he is now — a billionaire, constantly appearing on lists of the world's richest people. But when Buffett got his start in investing, he was anything but rich. He was a kid, barely into puberty, from a middle-class household at best. He started investing by reading every book he could find on the subject as a preteen. Then he worked odd jobs and bought stocks with the money he made.

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Buying a home is a major milestone in your life. In addition to serving as the place where you likely live for many years, a home will likely be the most valuable asset that you'll ever own. However, before you can buy a property, you'll need to come up with a down payment of up to 20% of the final purchase price. Let's take a closer look at some ways that you can come up with the money for this payment without turning to other people for help.

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It’s great to be excited about your entrepreneurial pursuits. But we also will begin to feel off-kilter when other areas of our life go neglected. Here are some tips for avoiding becoming a slave to your business.

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No matter how good you are at what you do, there’s always the potential for things to go wrong on a day in the life of your small business. Sometimes, events that lead to unhappy customers who didn’t get their expectations met have nothing to do with you. At other times, it could be you yourself who has messed up their order. Or, it could be the people who work for you who failed to take care of something that needed to be done.

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Coming out of the Coronavirus pandemic, this holiday season figures to like none that we have experienced in the past. With limited financial resources, this is the year when consumers will need to focus on not overspending during the holidays.

In recent years, consumers have reported spending an average of as much as $1,000 on Christmas gifts. While the trend has been on an upward trajectory, things could be very different in 2020. To help you avoid overspending at a time when your financial resources are likely limited, here are 6 tips for your consideration.

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The end of the 2021 tax year is fast approaching. As you start preparing to close out the year and file your business tax returns, you still have a small window of opportunity to make some changes. Some tax laws changed recently, opening the door to tax advantages your business may not have had access to in the past.

To help you take advantage of what's available for your small business, here are 5 yearend tax moves you might want to make.

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This tax season you'll want to be prepared and informed about how to maximize your return and ensure that your tax documents are error free to avoid any audits. Getting started on your tax documents early offers you the benefit of being able to revisit your already completed tax paperwork near the end of the tax year prior to filing. Revisiting your taxes with a fresh eye can help you to notice any discrepancies you may or may not have missed, as well as helps you to apply knowledge about how to maximize profits with tax tips that you have may have learned throughout the tax year.

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In March 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. In addition to providing stimulus checks of up to $1,400 for most adults, it also expanded the child tax credit. Eligible parents can receive up to $3,600 to help defray the cost of raising their sons or daughters. Let's take a closer look at what the child tax credit is and how to know if you're eligible to claim it.

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When you first get into business for yourself, you’ll want to see what others are doing so that you can emulate that, and get ideas about what works. Before long, you may start to view the very people who you borrowed inspiration from as competition whom you should be wary of.

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Maximizing your profits is a great way to ensure that you have enough money for retirement. The more money you make, the more money you should be able to save. Some retirement saving options can provide tax benefits. However, there are some taxes that you'll want to plan for when you set up your retirement budget.

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Are you just starting out in the business world? Wondering what you can do to keep things running smoothly while continuing to increase profits over time? Here are a few good business practices to put in place.

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At the end of the day, your business exists to make a profit. However, without the right goals and behaviors, your business may not be living up to its potential. You have what it takes to grow and succeed, so if you really want to bolster your business’s bottom line, then you need to pursue a few simple yet effective goals to make it happen this year.

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Looking for money-making ideas but hate the idea of working a job you hate? Many hobbies can turn into extra cash when done correctly. This list includes 10 hobbies that might be your ticket to money-making success.

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If you currently owe back taxes to the IRS, you are probably feeling the pinch. You might be wondering what alternatives you have at your disposal to remove the pressure of this debt. The good news is you don't have to panic. You do have ways you can settle your debt before the IRS starts coming after your paycheck, bank account, or assets.

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Employment during 2020 was extremely unpredictable and many people lost jobs, were furloughed, were at work and then back at home. All these insane employment changes and several other financial factors impact how you file your taxes in 2021. There are some other changes in tax laws you may not know about and even be pleasantly surprised by as you begin the process of filing your taxes.

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Taking care of your finances can be easier if you educate yourself, and stick to a clear plan. In fact, one of the smartest ways to save money is to cut expenses. A few ideas are to refinance student loans or your mortgage, use apps to receive cash back or find ways to save on insurance, among others. If you have trouble saving money for a rainy day or just need some extra cash, there are plenty of ways to drastically cut your expenses.

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What happens when two sisters decide to break curfew to see one of their favorite singers of all time? 

Join THE BLACK CONNECTION and featured guest, Linda Ann Smith, for a trip down memory lane to 1960s Philadelphia to hear a story long-held as family lore and a tribute to the place where it all happened: The Uptown Theater. 

To learn more about the Uptown Theater, check out: 

  • https://philadelphiauptowntheater.org/
  • https://www.phillyvoice.com/uptown-entertainment-development-corporation-linda-richardson/
  • https://afterthefinalcurtain.net/2020/11/06/uptown-theatre-philadelphia-pa/

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A 529 plan is an excellent way for you to begin saving for your children's college education early. Plans are accessible in all 50 states of the U.S., with plan administrators delegated to select investments that they believe are right for the state's program, potentially leading to a smoother investment process and reduced fees arranged thanks to community buy-ins.

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Successful investing results in achieving financial goals and enjoying financial independence. The fight for financial freedom is something that most of us strive to win and cement a successful future. Apart from the typical paycheck, becoming an investor ensures a constant revenue stream to sustain your financial health.

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Like it or not, tax time comes this time of year every year. Do you know what that means? That means it is time for you to start thinking about how you are going to file your tax returns by the April 15, 2021 deadline.

As you contemplate filing your 2020 taxes this year, it would be a good time to also start thinking about your 2021 taxes. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to organize your taxes. Many mistakes are made in haste when you're in a rush to file taxes.

With an eye on getting ahead of your 2021 taxes, here are five suggestions worthy of your consideration.

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Financial independence is the goal of many people. The idea of being able to do what you love, living stress-free of money concerns, is appealing. Why is this goal elusive for so many? It is often because people ignore the basic principles that are the foundation to achieve financial independence. There are some common points that can help you reach the goal of financial independence. Once you reach financial independence, you will be able to make more choices on how you want to live. 

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Business credit is essential so that your business can grow and thrive. You can be assured that you’ll have funds to maintain and build your business when you have sufficient credit. Here’s how to build business credit in five simple steps.

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2020 Put unprecedented stress on companies. Systems like the Profit First Formulahelp enterprises to plan for the future. Businesses first pay profit, taxes, personal then operating expenses and a rainy day fund.

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As a business owner, you are busy making sure that all aspects of your company run well. As you go about your day, it's easy to let paperwork pile up into a cluttered mess. Once its time to spring clean, you must resist the temptation to toss it all in the trash. You need to keep some of this paperwork around to track your spending and protect your business. Here is a guide to know when to keep your receipts and when to throw them away.

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Let’s face it, we live in a society of convenience. Most Americans want the microwave version of life rather than savoring the flavor of a life lived “slow-cooked” and deliberately.

If you’re in the “microwave majority,” how is that working out for you…and your finances? Are you wondering where your paycheck went as you drive through the fast food restaurant on your way to pick up your coffee before you one-stop shop at the closest yet most expensive grocery store in town?

If you’re ready to make some changes to saving some change, reframing the way you think about convenience and your shopping habits is the name of this money game!

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There are several ways in which a financial advisor can assist with your finances. Some of these will entail retirement planning, financial planning, and investing. Not everyone needs a financial advisor. However, when you have investable assets and you're thinking about your financial future, it's essential to work with a financial advisor.

The guide below will walk you through what financial advisors do and their importance. It can help you examine whether you'll be well served if you opt to work with a financial advisor.

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Spring cleaning has always been the time to flip mattresses, clean windows, and get behind or under those appliances to see what's been growing during the winter. This is also a great time to purge old or unwanted items from your home. Personal files and financial documents also deserve some attention. Here are a few things to consider for this year's spring cleaning.

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What’s the best way to determine your starting salary and still have your business make money at the same time?

Just like with your personal finances, a budget for your business is the foundation for its economic success and growth.

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Many people have the skills and talent to start good businesses, but they lack the accounting knowledge or passion to keep those businesses profitable. For instance, an enthusiastic lawn care company might create beautiful landscapes. Then they avoid things like tracking tax-deductible mileage to customers' homes and so crucial financial savings are lost.

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If your business is like most, the 80-20 rule applies. That is, 80% of your profits come from 20% of your customers.

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Most people believe they have to pay the taxes on gains from the sale of their home, but did you know there’s a good chance you may not have to?!

Here are 8 tax facts to keep in mind if you’re selling your house this year

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Are you like most people who have a “healthy respect” (aka nightmarish fear) of the IRS and have every receipt, every return, every writing implement ever used or needed for filing your last 35 years’ taxes? Has your filing system expanded from a drawer to a whole closet “just in case”?

While that may be a little exaggerated, it’s not uncommon for people to still have boxes and boxes of papers they’re not sure if they should hold on to or alas…set free.

If you fall into the category of wondering whether to keep or not to keep all those papers, here are three guidelines to help you sort it all out.

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The start of a new year is more often than not the start of new plans for new habits. Most people “resolve” to get healthy physically, but in a recent Fidelity study one-third of Americans will vow to get healthy financially.

Whether you find yourself wanting to save more, spend less or pay off debt, here are the top four ways you can lead by example and have winner’s bragging rights to go along with it.

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All the gifts have been opened, the leftovers frozen, and normalcy is starting to settle back into your days — until you open the mailbox and get that first credit card bill (and then another) reminding you of just how much you spent on spreading that holiday cheer.

Instead of carrying the dread and the debt with you into the new year, this season why not implement some understanding and strategy to paying off those credit cards as quickly as possible?

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COVID-19 has shaken things up for 2020. However, there are very feasible ways to recover next year. Let us take a very close look at business after COVID-19 and five ways to jumpstart your COVID comeback.

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Transitioning from a brick and mortar to an online business is not an easy task. It’s more than having a smartphone device and an internet connection. It involves various steps to set up a profitable online store. Below are the seven steps to follow in moving your business online.

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With the current COVID economy leaving so many Americans out of work, many people are turning to freelancing as a means of supporting themselves. If this includes you, you are to be commended for taking the initiative.

If this is your first time working as a freelancer, you might not be aware of the nuances of reporting and paying your taxes under this scenario. We hope the following information will point you in the right direction.

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We all know what it’s like to be cruising along on financial autopilot when BAM! Out of “nowhere” a major “unexpected” hit comes and knocks us into a scrambling tailspin. Whether it’s medical expenses, taxes, that credit card bill we lost track of, car repairs or anything outside the norm, those extraordinary “hits” can set our vacations plans back years.

But let’s face it. Those types of hits aren’t all that unexpected, are they? We know we’re going to have to pay taxes and the credit card bill and more often than not for a trip or two to the doctor. And on top of those expenses, studies show that at least $600 goes toward “discretionary expenses” which include restaurants and entertainment, clothes and etc., services, and home appliances. That’s a pretty hefty chunk of unbudgeted change to find in between your couch cushions.

So what’s the best way to go about saving when you’re already at maximum output in your bare bones budget

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Thoughts truly do become things no matter what it is you’ve got on your mind. If you’re always thinking about lack and debt, all you’ll be able to see and focus on is lack and debt. If you begin to notice and speak about prosperity and happiness, you’ll attract more of that to you as well.

Positive self-talk is imperative to every aspect of life – especially your financial health. It’s not hard to trace your current situation back to its roots through your thoughts, which created your habits which created either positive or negative cash flow.

If you’re ready for different results in your bank accounts, it’s time to change up your words so everything in your life can begin to shift into the black as wel

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In our busy lives, it’s sometimes tough to corral our financial records. Bills, paycheck stubs, tax returns, and bank statements can disappear into dusty attic corners and bulging desk drawers. Important insurance policies can hide out beneath bins of holiday ornaments and electrical supplies. Mortgage documents can sneak into old books or hide themselves in nooks and crannies throughout the house. Take the time now to get those papers out of hiding. Here are four suggestions for getting organized

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“I'm gon' get me a Devil Woman,
Angel Woman don't mean me no good..." 

It's our anniversary, and to celebrate we're paying homage to the 59th anniversary of the classic Charles Mingus album, Oh Yeah (recorded November 6, 1961). Join THE BLACK CONNECTION for a poetic tribute to "Devil Woman," our favorite song from the album.

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Many small business owners pay too little attention to their financial statements. This is due in part to not understanding just what the statements have to offer. In fact, many may not be able to tell you the difference between a Balance Sheet and an Income Statement.

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Your business can’t be profitable if you don’t get paid. Regular accounting tasks may not be the most exciting aspect of running a business but they are necessary. Although important, it can be all too easy to procrastinate and not get these critical tasks done regularly. Here are some ways you can stop procrastinating and complete your bookkeeping tasks regularly

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One of the questions I’ve been getting a lot lately is, “Is it better to lease a car for business purposes and can I claim the lease payments on my taxes?”

The short answer is: Yes to both.

The more detailed answer is: …but there are caveats to how you can claim the deductions.

Leasing a new automobile is a great idea if you put a lot of miles and wear and tear on your vehicle for business travel, but as with most tax issues there’s a lot of “mental wear and tear” that go along with how to list these deductions.

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When it comes to taxes, being self-employed has some advantages. Whether you work for yourself on a full-time basis or just do a little moonlighting on the side, the government has provided you with a variety of attractive tax breaks.

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In just a couple of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the everyday lives of individuals globally. Businesses must explore the financial and operational difficulties brought about by the COVID -19 pandemic while quickly addressing their employees, clients, and suppliers’ requirements. Here are the top 6 most common points:

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In our virtual and paperless generation, it’s easy to keep tabs on your checking account balance without really taking the time to review each monthly transaction. You know about how much you’ve spent, so at first glance it all seems “about right.”

What you may be missing, though, are some changes to your bank’s policies where they now charge fees for some of the things you do…or do not.

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If you’re living beyond your means, you could be courting financial disaster. Here are some indicators that you need to get your credit card usage under control.

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Are you a business owner who’s tried doing your own taxes and gotten so frustrated you ended up not claiming anything because the tax laws on what’s deductible or not are…clear as mud?

Let’s dig in and sift through some of the muck to pull out some IRS terminology for clarity.

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The Economy Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is a financial relief program for small business owners. The EIDL is a low-interest loan of up to two million dollars with principal and interest delay at the discretion of the administrator. It is used to cater for operational costs that could have been met had their not been a disaster.

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The goal of every business person is to succeed and become as profitable as possible. You may have started your business a few years ago and may have failed to reach that place you wanted. Or maybe you are employed somewhere and your progress is coming along slower than you would wish. Could there be something holding you back? Maybe you are being held back by commonly held beliefs. These business money myths are taught to us from a young age. But are they true?

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The goal of every business person is to succeed and become as profitable as possible. You may have started your business a few years ago and may have failed to reach that place you wanted. Or maybe you are employed somewhere and your progress is coming along slower than you would wish. Could there be something holding you back? Maybe you are being held back by commonly held beliefs. These business money myths are taught to us from a young age. But are they true?

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The goal of every business person is to succeed and become as profitable as possible. You may have started your business a few years ago and may have failed to reach that place you wanted. Or maybe you are employed somewhere and your progress is coming along slower than you would wish. Could there be something holding you back? Maybe you are being held back by commonly held beliefs. These business money myths are taught to us from a young age. But are they true?

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One of the first decisions you face as a new business owner is whether or not to incorporate the business. The biggest advantage of incorporating is limitation of your liability. Your  responsibility for debts and other liabilities incurred by a corporation is generally limited to the assets of the business. Your personal assets are not usually at risk, although there can be exceptions to this general rule. The trade-off is that there is a cost to incorporate and, in some cases, tax consequences.

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Owning a business can keep your schedule filled with necessary duties. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep up and accomplish everything on your to-do list. This can cause some things to be put off for another day. In many instances, the thing that is continuing to be put off day after day is your business finances. Bookkeeping should be updated regularly to ensure accurate financial decisions are being made. Not doing so could lead to your business suffering from expensive costs and penalties.

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Do you find that your business is “staying afloat"? Is your business always covering its expenses but with little to no profit left over?

You’re not alone. A US-based survey found that 30% of small businesses break even. Another 30% are running a loss.

Perhaps your business is stuck in a rut. Or, perhaps you have trouble growing the company since there are hardly any earnings to reinvest. No matter the case, a little innovation is often all that’s needed to go from staying afloat to becoming profitable!

One way to innovate is by changing up the way you handle your business’ finances. There are many great business strategies out there. However, there is one called Profit First that has become quickly popular!

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“Last time, last time I saw Jeannine recall when we were 17…”

Join THE BLACK CONNECTION for a poetic tribute to/ reimagining of one of our favorite songs: Oscar Brown Jr.'s, "Jeannine" from his 1963 album, Tells It Like It Is!

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A trait a great President possesses is passion.  If you love what you’re doing, it makes the little potholes along the road to success a whole lot easier to handle. There’s no such thing as an easy and stress-free road to success, so truly enjoying your life’s work and having a passion for the quality and service you provide is key. 

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Many small start-up businesses are off and running before any record system has been set up. There is money deposited into the new business checking account, some from invested funds and some from sales. Money has been paid out for equipment and supplies, some by check and some by cash out of pocket or from sales receipts.

This informal method of cash receipts and disbursements needs to be formalized. The bookkeeping system does not need to be complicated. In most cases, you can continue to operate much as you have. You just need to do it in a way that leaves a few more tracks.

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As the summer season approaches, you might be considering a few home improvement projects. Maybe you want to create a new deck for your home or get a pool in the backyard. However, if you want to do this, then you need to save up some money: here are some tips to turn your summer season ideas into a reality.

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As the summer season approaches, you might be considering a few home improvement projects. Maybe you want to create a new deck for your home or get a pool in the backyard. However, if you want to do this, then you need to save up some money: here are some tips to turn your summer season ideas into a reality.

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You’re more than likely already aware of your financial situation being less than ideal or you wouldn’t be listening to this, right? You’re struggling to pay off credit cards, car loans, student loans, medical bills and your mortgage all at the same time you still need to eat, put gas in your car, buy your kids shoes that fit…you know, get your basic needs covered.

Here are the top four way companies making a profit off your debt-reduction attempts will suggest you go about it.

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Once you finally psych yourself up enough to actually look at your finances, are you like most people who only look at their current to not-so-distant future state of affairs? Do you look at the bills that are due and then decide which ones get paid based on the amount left over in your bank account?

It’s been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. It’s also been said you can’t solve a problem in the same environment in which it was created. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some past contributing factors to your present situation and how we can create a healthier financial future once and for all.

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Jillian discusses the 7  habits that will change your relationship with money. It takes 21 days to create a new habit, so for the next 30 days (so it can really set in), follow the seven mind-altering habits that Jillian suggests, to think your way into a healthy relationship with money and wealth.

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In the grand scheme of things, income is rarely stable even if you’re paid a regular salary. And was that a big “Amen!” I just heard from the freelancers and independent contractors as to how true that statement is?

While we’ve talked a lot about budgeting a time or two already there’s no time like the present to review the concept but this time with a bend toward those aforementioned Amen-ers.

But don’t check out just yet, salaried people! You might just find these five steps useful in helping you sock away that extra emergency cash you’ve been wondering where to find and how to save up.

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Life is unpredictable. Your secure job gets outsourced. You fall in love. Your brand new car needs repairs. Your kid flushes his toy down the toilet. Things totally out of our control can happen at any given moment. While you may not ever be fully mentally prepared for life’s little surprises, you can be financially ready to take them on without having to panic or scramble.

Seem like wishful thinking considering your current situation? Here are four easy money hacks you can start doing today to make the impossible possible.

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As a business owner you have options as to how you…well, run your business. You can either hire employees who basically have to do what you tell them to do, or you can hire independent contractors who get you the results you want by doing the work however they want to get it done.

There are definite advantages and disadvantages to each type of person you hire, and here are a few “fun facts” to help you decide how and when to use each one

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How much money did you save last year? If you didn’t save at least 10% of your earnings, you didn’t save enough. If your savings in 2019 fell short, the only solution is to take charge of your financial future right now and start saving more money.

Saving money doesn’t have to be hard work. In fact, many successful savers have found simple ways to cut spending and increase their savings. Here are some tips to help you get started and stay on track.

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Well, it happened again: that “rainy day” expense you’d been planning on saving for caught you off guard and left you standing outside without an umbrella. Whether it was having to replace the air conditioning unit or needing to take dog, cat, AND lizard to the vet, unplanned yet inevitable expenses (usually costing upwards of $400) can definitely put a cramp in your vacation fund’s style.

Just in case being “all wet” and having to push back that already overdue vacation isn’t motivating enough for you, here are three more reasons to finally start weatherproofing your savings for the next rainy day:

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Managing money is one of the leading causes of stress for the majority of people today. It’s actually been a pressure point for families and individuals for generations, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no time like the present to flip the financial script and create a new mindset around spending and saving.

Here are five fresh ways to take the guesswork – and stress – out of your finances.

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You want to have it all, right? I mean, who doesn’t want to have the money, the toys, and maybe even the purpose to go along with it?

The good news is you CAN have it all.

But there’s a catch:

In order to have it all, you’ve got to know what “it” is and then you’ve got to know how to balance “it.” Here are three simple steps to “check yourself before you wreck yourself.”

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You’ve heard it before: “Failure to plan is planning to fail,” but you’ve rolled your eyes and just kept “going with the flow” hoping the tides will flow that money tree right into your back yard so you can finally start living the life you’ve always dreamed about…or at least be able to take a day or two off work when you’re sick without having to stress about how the bills would get paid if you did.

Grab your pen and paper, write out your dreams and goals, and let’s start planning to succeed!

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In a society incessantly bombarded by bigger, better, faster and keeping up with the Kardashians, it’s no surprise people everywhere – including the government – are literally drowning in debt.

If you’re among those folks slipping out of their life jackets with the waters rising around you, your rescue is here! By following these four financial hacks, soon enough you’ll be the one captaining the recovery mission and on your way to the financial freedom you’ve always dreamed of.

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Join THE BLACK CONNECTION and featured guests, Angela Yvonne, PJ Ryan, and DJ Jahmedicine for a special live edition of SONIC BLACKNUSS celebrating songs and stories that are all about love.

Recorded live in Brooklyn at BRIC 2.13.20 and produced by Matthew Allen.

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Join THE BLACK CONNECTION and featured guest, DJ Jahmedicine, for an audio love letter to Bed-Stuy, house parties, loves longed for and lost, and the song that provided the soundtrack to it all: Marvin Gaye’s 1976 masterclass in sensuality, "Come Live With Me Angel."