PLAN B

One of my biggest fears is not being financially self-sufficient. This of course comes from my personal experiences. Martin A. Smith, president of Wealthcare Financial Group Inc. said it best, “looking at the African American community, a major area where we need to improve in order to strengthen our ability to create and sustain wealth is becoming financially literate.” Not just having the money but also knowing the 5W’s and 1h when it comes to spending, maintaining and investing it. I don’t plan to retire in debt. The only thing I plan on owing to society is service.

While I’m really only saving, clipping coupons, and selling goods online… the hustle is real! I’m learning how to diversify my portfolio, buying stock, property and learning about mutual funds. My frugalness often rubs off on friends and family but I’m also learning how to transfer the importance of financial literacy as well.

It’s nothing like a knowledgeable African American that can tell you about our culture back, front and sideways, but are piss pot poor, and can’t get the message any further than where it is because they don’t have access to secondary education or simply money to pay rent. Some of the most knowledgeable people I’ve met and had the deepest conversations with are not only poor but homeless. This breeds continuous generations of “shoulda, coulda, woulda, but didn’t” in the African American communities. During his keynote presentation for the Black Alliance for Educational Options Symposium, Dr. Steve Perry stated, “It’s not an achievement gap, it’s an access gap.” We have to get the doors open for our future generations, and keep them open. Plan B, for Better.

Reading articles, blogs and watching documentaries about money, entrepreneurship, health, education and lifestyles have become an addiction for me! Here are some of my favorite sites at the moment: