Learning How to Get Through the Month
By Charlestien Harris As difficult as it can be to make ends meet, it’s getting even tougher during this pandemic. Now is the time to develop strategies that will guide your finances well beyond this health crisis. Understanding your cash flow will help...
Economic Impact Payments: How a Digital Economic System Can Leave the Unbanked Behind
By James Owen Cutting checks to 171 million Americans is no easy logistical undertaking. It gets harder when you don’t have direct deposit information for as many as 110 million.[1] That challenge is why you’ve probably tried to check the status of your refund on the...
Customer Alert: COVID-19 Online Shopping Scams
Face masks, toilet paper, and other essential items are in high demand right now. Be careful of deals that seem too good to be true. The Federal Trade Commission gives tips on how to shop online responsibly: Check out the company or product by typing its name in a...
Talking about Poverty: Chained CPI
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of blog posts to critically examine how poverty is defined, measured, and talked about, and how those conversations influence public policy. The economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought how the U.S....
Keeping Your Credit Strong during a Pandemic
By Charlestien Harris Hello again my financial fitness trainees! As you know, we’ve been discussing the importance of lowering expenses and prioritizing bills. Being able to stay current on bills can become increasingly challenging as the COVID-19 crisis...
Don’t Let High Bill Payments Weigh You Down
Hello everyone! I am Charlestien Harris, certified housing and credit counselor, and I’m back again to talk about finances. The coronavirus has destroyed many budgets and affected the normal flow of income for a number of households. Previously, I talked about bill...
Consumer Alert: COVID-19 Scams By The Numbers
Scammers adapt to the latest issues even in this time of crisis. The Bureau of Consumer Protection has compiled the latest data on COVID-19 related scams. Here are the highlights: From January 1 until today, the FTC has gotten 18,235 reports related to COVID-19, and...
Building Wealth and the CARES Act: Some Points to Remember
By James Owen Building wealth doesn’t happen overnight. But over the next few days, you’ll likely have to make some decisions that could help you build long-term wealth. In late March, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act....