

When you have even less time than you have money, you've got to maximize both. For those who love reading (and adding that 100th book to their Amazon wish list) that means finding something to read that's not going to take six months or more to finish, especially if you're trying to improve your relationship with those hard-earned coins.
These books—with one good one coming in at just 104 pages—are the perfect quick reads that you can either finish in less than a month, binge during an international flight or listen and find yourself through with a couple loads of laundry. All of these reads are less than 300 pages and cover a range of personal finance topics for a range of lifestyles and goals.
'The Psychology Of Money' by Morgan Housel
Amazon
At 256 pages, you could easily knock out this book in about three weeks, especially if you set a goal of at least 12 pages a day.Through 19 short stories, exploring the “strange” ways people think about money, you can learn how to approach your own money mindset and decisions surrounding the mighty dollar.
'Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America' by Karen Arrington
Amazon
This book, at 104 pages, packs a mighty punch in a smaller package. The founder of the Miss Black USA Pageant and creator of the Next Level Women’s Summit gives all the tea on setting ambitious goals, connecting to the right people, and positioning yourself for your next level of success among other powerful women.
'The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated' by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack
Amazon
Written on the premise that “everything you need to know about managing your money could fit on an index card,” this pretty short read (another 256-page read) explains 10 simple rules that might basically be all you need to really understand personal finance. There’s a step-by-step action plan that empowers you to take better control of your financial life.
'The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, and Live the Life of Your Dreams' By Paris Woods
Amazon
This book combines research and practical knowledge to take the complexity out of subjects related to generational wealth, investing, and debt reductions. And it’s 201 pages, making it a shorter read that’s easy to follow but with concepts that build a big impact if implemented consistently and with discipline.
'Money and Happiness (The Scientific Way): Scientifically Proven Ways To Be Happy And Highly Effective Life Hacks For Financial Independence' by Dr LV George
Amazon
It’s 140 pages all about practical, evidenced-based techniques that ultimately lead to whatever happiness means for your life, and that includes what that version of your life might take when it comes to finances. It also explores age-old stereotypes connected to the “more money = more happiness” and “faking” it until you make it. If you want a bit of super-real honesty to shake yourself into change, this one is it.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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