Let's talk money.
I grew up in a single parent household and was lucky enough to not only have a supermom but also a business savvy mom. In school we are taught all that we need to pass exams, but these lessons don’t include personal finance. Most people get into the real world and have no concept of money management or where to even begin.
I have a thirst for knowledge in this area and a passion for sharing what I know to encourage others to take money management and personal finance seriously. When it comes to money management, there’s nothing better than knowing your bills are paid, your savings is growing, and you have some extra funds to “do you.” If you haven’t gotten started just yet or would like to add on to what you are currently doing, here are some tips to jump-start the process:
1) Visualize what you are working with!
Have you ever heard people say that they are visual learners? Well, I consider myself one. Keeping an excel sheet is a bit old school but I love the flexibility in changing numbers, using formulas, and the ease of sitting at my laptop and being able to see all my funds at once. Depending on your pay schedule, list out which bills you plan to pay with what check. After you add these things up, subtract from your net pay and what's left over, you can play with! Now if you are more tech savvy and prefer to have your budget at your fingertips, consider looking into apps such as Mint, which allows you to have convenient access through your smartphone. Remember, the key to budgeting is to track your spending! By doing so, you’ll know where to cut back and where you have room to wiggle.
2) Don't forget to pay yourself.
Although we can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, there’s nothing like knowing you have some “tuck-away” funds. Before you do anything additional with your money, put away a set amount of funds into your savings account. Make saving a priority; don’t wait until you’ve spent most of your money and only save what’s left. “The goal of paying yourself first is to help make sure your future self’s key financial goals are covered, including building up an emergency fund, contributing to retirement and saving for any other long-term goals (Forbes).”
3) Have a savings account that is not tied to your primary bank account.
We all know the saying “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” This is exactly what happens when we co-mingle our funds, so to speak. You say to yourself you’re going to save $100 a check but once you start getting down to the last few dollars in your checking account, you start to slowly dip into your savings. How come? Because it's so easy. All you have to do is transfer the money and it’s immediately available. A solution for this would be to keep your "real" savings separate. I opened a savings account with a completely different bank and chose not to get a debit card for it. The best part of this account you ask? It takes three days to transfer money into your checking account. By the time you would receive the money, guess what? Those shoes or that bag isn’t so important.
There's also Digit. This free website and app studies your financial moves and automatically transfers money from your bank account to your Digit Account. They will send you daily, fun texts with updates of your balances and transfers. You can choose to save more, pause savings or withdrawal your money via text as well. Your money is FDIC insured and they have a no-overdraft guarantee.
4) Know Your Debt. Then, Knock It Off!
Make it your business to know what's out there in your name! Lots of people get duped for being uninformed. You can and most certainly will be penalized for not paying bills in your name, even if you knew nothing about them. Pull your credit report, everything you need to know will be included. Next, make a list of your debt from the smallest amount to the greatest and start knocking them off one by one. Each time you finish one, take the extra money and apply it toward the next debt. As you begin to see your debt decrease, you will feel motivated to keep going.
5) Did somebody say rainy day?
Now I'm sure we all know how it feels to get caught in the rain without an umbrella! The same applies to unforeseen circumstances that may leave you in a bind and needing some quick funds. Most financial advisors recommend having at least 3-6 months of living expenses saved. Yes, you heard me right, 3-6 months and that includes rent, monthly debt payments, and whatever other obligations you have to take care of. For some of us when we add that up, that number can scare us so I recommend starting small. According to financial author Dave Ramsey, an emergency fund of $1k is a good place to start. Set a plan, take your time and you'll get there. Once you reach that $1k goal, set small goals to get yourself to that 3-6 month cushion. “You cannot expect victory and plan for defeat” (Joel Osteen). Small victories are better than none!
6) It's never too early to start saving for retirement.
Unfortunately, by the time many of us retire, the social security program may be depleted. This is one less source of income a retiree will have to look forward to. Don’t let this discourage you, take advantage of the many options that are available to you. More often than not, we may approach situations with the “we have time” mind frame. Well honey, time flies and when it comes to investing, the earlier you contribute, the greater your return. Contact the HR rep for your employer and see what options are available to you (ex: 401(k) or pension). If your job doesn't provide you with options or you prefer to do your own thing, look into options such as a Roth or Traditional IRA. Doing your research is key; then go with the best option for your financial situation. There’s a huge misconception that you should wait until you make more money to save. This couldn’t be more inaccurate. As you get older, in most cases you have more responsibility (kids, spouse, mortgage, etc.) and these things will be just additional reasons for why you can’t save. Bottom line is it may never “feel” like the right time. Start saving now!
7) Your Credit Score…Know It!
The dreaded score that gets ruined before you realize its importance and why you need it. I got my first credit card in college. My mom warned me about how debt can easily add up but at that age I didn’t care. All I knew was that some bank was crazy enough to give me a credit card. Fast forward to now, I play no games when it comes to my credit and paying my bills on time. I’ve even gone as far as to not carry any credit cards in my wallet. Here and there I may carry one for emergencies but I hate to be tempted by that bag or those shoes! If you haven't already, pull your credit report on FreeCreditReport.com at least once a year. Go over it thoroughly, make a plan to pay outstanding balances, and dispute any charges that are erroneous or unwarranted. This report and your score speak to your credit worthiness; it could be the determining factor of whether you get that fabulous house or not.
8) Don’t be Pimped by Your Life!
Many times we get stuck being in situations we despise because we don’t see a way out. This goes for relationships, jobs, business ventures, etc. Having security, a cushion, or being stable could mean the difference between leaving that job you hate and following your dreams or staying at that 9-5 because you have no money saved up and need to make ends meet. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a 9-5, that’s what I do now. Let’s keep it real, many of you desire more or if given the opportunity would be doing something else. The only constant in life is change, so be prepared. Now when that unplanned event happens or you just wake up one day and want to jump ship; you will be ready! A lot of what I included in this article is just a snippet of how good money management can lead to financial freedom. As a result, financial freedom can lead to a greater quality lifestyle.
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Have your finances ever been in shambles? What are some steps that you took to get back on the right track?
Germeen is a NYC auditor pressing her way through the jungle gym known as corporate America. Her thirst for adventure has been proven by the stamps on her passport and her hunger for new experiences is demonstrated in her commitment to live life to the fullest. She is a self-proclaimed control freak and personal finance enthusiast somewhere overdosing on life.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Feature image by Franco Zulueta
"Nia Long Fine" is a thing for a reason.
The Brooklyn-born actress, best known for her roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood, Love Jones, and The Best Man, is a baddie on and off screen. She has also starred in several television series, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Third Watch, and Empire. Long has received critical acclaim for her performances and has been nominated for several awards, including an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In addition to her acting career, Long is also a producer and director.
Yes, the resume is shimmering with Black Girl Magic and that’s many thanks to her acting chops and her undeniable beauty. For decades, Nia has been the standard, given her natural and charming aura.
Nia expressed gratitude for being called "ageless" but emphasized to PEOPLEmagazine that she doesn't strive for an unattainable ideal of perfection or a perpetually youthful look. “There’s so much pressure in this industry to stay beautiful and to stay young. And I’m really not interested in leaning into this idea of perfection,” she said.
While Hollywood often holds women to unrealistic beauty standards and limits their career opportunities as they age, men are often celebrated for their distinguished looks as they get older. Nia continues to restructure those double standards and embrace the natural aging process because she is the epitome of Black, not cracking.
"I am a proud 51, and eventually I’m going to age in a way where it’s obvious and I want it to happen beautifully and gracefully. I don’t really want the pressure of feeling like I have to be beautiful and perfect because I think beauty comes at any age…But I honestly think the real beauty comes from within."
Embrace Simplicity in Skincare
Nia believes in a "less is more" approach. She prioritizes keeping her skin hydrated and healthy rather than focusing on anti-aging. She told New Beauty that she swears by regular facials, exfoliation, and using moisturizing products like Yonka eye cream and almond oil on damp skin after showers. Microdermabrasion and oxygen treatments are also part of her skincare routine. These practices help keep her skin glowing and supple.
Stay Active with Yoga and Pilates
Fitness is essential for Nia, who stays in shape with yoga, Pilates, and jump rope exercises. She believes in maintaining a healthy weight to avoid common problem areas, especially for women of color. Consistency in movement helps her maintain her vibrant energy. In the New Beauty interview, Nia said, “I eat healthy, organic foods and keep the weight off with a lot of yoga, Pilates, and jump rope, which I try and do every day for the length of at least one song.”
Hydrate with Rosewater
To combat dryness under studio lights, she uses rosewater spray to refresh her skin and moisturizer to touch up cakey makeup areas. This keeps her face looking dewy and bright throughout long workdays. Nia explained in an interview with Glamour, "And what I've learned over the years is—Chantecaille has this amazing rosewater—and I spray the rosewater on my face, and then I dab a little bit of moisturizer in the areas where I see the foundation or powder is cakey. It just instantly brightens your skin. But the key is you can't wipe, you have to dab."
Listen to Your Inner Self and Ancestors
Nia emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and connecting with one’s inner voice and heritage. She credits her mental clarity and resilience to being attentive to ancestral guidance and focusing on a holistic sense of wellness. During the American Black Film Festival this summer, the actress shared a heartfelt story that made this all so real.
“When I was a young girl and my grandmother used to make me meditate, and she talked about therapy. This is in the very early ’70s when Black folks were like, ‘If you go to therapy, you’re crazy.’ She was very innovative in her thinking. And so her therapist’s name was Dr. Curtis. My therapist is Dr. Henry McCurtis. So as we’re talking, I go, what’s that black and white photo behind you? And he goes, ‘Oh, that’s my mentor. His name was Dr. Curtis.’”
She understood then that there was a purpose behind everything that was unfolding. “So listen and pay attention to those things, because angels are real. They’re real. Our ancestors are always pushing for our greatness. And so if you just settle into that listening and receiving, you’ll feel a sense of ease as you walk through this life, no matter how tough it gets.”
Celebrate Aging Gracefully
Nia rejects the pressure to remain "ageless" and instead embraces the beauty of aging naturally. She focuses on maintaining health and vibrancy rather than adhering to unrealistic beauty standards. This mindset allows her to enjoy her current phase of life with confidence.
A Natural Beat
The mommy mogul told Allure, “My look changes, but I do love the Nars lipstick pencils. I also love Laura Mercier's [Tinted Moisturizer]. [I use] a bronze powder by Nars called Punta Cana — that's my new favorite bronzer. Then, I usually top it all off with a Chanel gloss. I don't [get done up] so much unless someone else is doing my makeup. Then, I let them do whatever they want to do.”
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Featured image via Nia Long/Instagram