People equate cars as part of their status. A luxury or exclusive vehicle can quickly make you into a legend for other car fanatics. However, for the vast majority of us who can’t tell the difference between an alternator and a radiator, we just want a reliable set of wheels that will get us safely from point A to point B. Experiencing car troubles will seriously make you want to pull your hair out, which is why it’s so important to do all you can to minimize them as much as possible.

Power is often determined by financial strength in society. The famous saying, “Money talks” has always been a way to justify special privileges just based on a person’s wealth. For centuries, Black Americans were denied the liberties to make their own money, buy property, operate businesses, and were even forced to pay different prices just because of their skin tone. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on Capital Savings Bank, the very first Black-owned bank in the United States.

One of my least favorite parts of adulting is having to constantly switch up insurance providers to optimize my budget. Insurance, similar to taxes, seemingly has nothing to do with your personal actions and is often determined by factors that are completely out of your control. Random entities judge your situation and come up with arbitrary numbers that you’re obligated to pay without even giving you the option to negotiate your case or customize it to your lifestyle. It’s a pain and hassle, but shopping your insurance coverage is a necessary evil.

Home ownership used to be one of the most vital parts of achieving the “American Dream.” However, with rising home costs and wages that are struggling to keep up with inflation, many families are forced to hold off on purchasing their very first home until much later in life or go without home ownership altogether. What used to be an accessible milestone has quickly become a Herculean feat only few can actually accomplish.

Living in a large city without reliable public transportation like Atlanta or Los Angeles makes having a car a necessity. Going to work, dropping your kids off at school, and running simple errands would be incredibly inconvenient if you didn’t have a car to get around. The price of new cars has risen an average of 32% since 2018, making it incredibly important to know how to responsibly purchase a new vehicle without putting your financial livelihood at risk.

When I was young, my parents taught me the basics of finances at an early age. We practiced balancing a checkbook, recording transactions, and even went over the good, and bad, sides of accruing interest. It was extremely important to them that I kept a good grasp on the money I spent to ensure it didn’t surpass the amount of money I had available. I never knew just how expensive life was until I got older, and it continues to amaze me even now.