

Is A Sou-Sou Or Partner A Good Money Solution During The Pandemic?
We all know it's been rough this past year, and even 2021 has started off with quite a bit of ruckus. And there's always that sense of wanting to do whatever we can to ensure we're financially stable and able to take on whatever other craziness might be to come. So, anything that will allow us to either make or save money is a good look. So when I recently heard about a family member getting involved in a sou-sou, I was intrigued.
This wouldn't be the first time I'd heard of the concept. A few of my Caribbean friends and family have participated in a form of it they call "partner" (or "paht-nuh" if ya know patois. Big up yaself!) But what is a sou-sou or partner, you ask? It's an informal savings club, typically run by a "banker," that allows you to deposit money into a "pot," and once the pot grows, you get a certain sum of money when your "turn" comes around.
It's been called the "poor man's savings club," and it's something that has been embraced by Latin, Caribbean and African communities for generations. And the reason for it makes sense. Some have traced the concept centuries back, when West Africans pooled their money via an "esusu." Others might credit their popularity to the fact that many people of color faced extreme racism in the banking industry and could not utilize the traditional options for building savings. Add to that the fact that many did not trust banks, thus a sou-sou or partner was ideal.
I decided to get some insights from a few women on their own experiences with these sort of savings clubs. Here's what they had to say:
A Cautious Participant
My family member who recently participated in a partner told me that she'd had a bad experience in a previous one. (By request, I'm going to leave her identity anonymous.) She and her husband put in $400 but by the time it was their turn to collect on the $4,000 pot, people had dropped out of the group. They ended up getting a refund. After that experience, she just didn't take the whole concept seriously. "I really don't have time or money to waste, and I don't like when there's any sort of mix up or confusion when dealing with money," she told me. "We were able to get our money back because the person we were dealing with was honest. Thank God for that."
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This same family member decided to try again with a different group and a lower deposit. She knew another in-law who had already gotten her $4,000 share after putting in less than $200 three months earlier. "At least with this one, there's a clear system. They even have Zoom calls to explain things, and the leaders of it use a spreadsheet. There's a good number of people in the group to make the numbers make sense. The bankers also have rules, and when members of the group don't follow them, they are immediately refunded what they put in and removed. It's just $100 this time, so I decided to give it another try."
She added that while she has traditional bank accounts, participating in such a group has an allure because of the instant money available once your turn comes to cash in. "Who wouldn't want to get $4,000 after only investing a small sum? It's a nice bonus that can definitely come in handy."
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Generational Money Moves
Gaynete Jones, a podcast host and founder of Best, Periodt, a femcare brand, is from Bermuda and has always been an enterprising self-starter. The concept of a partner was one she too was introduced to by family. "My grandmother runs a savings club with family and friends. I love doing it as it's a great way to keep her mind sharp," Jones said. "My husband and I both participate with two 'hands' of $50 each, so we pay $100 each a week, and twice a year [we] both receive $2,500 back ($5,000 each). It's by no means our only way to save, but it's a unique way to stack coins that we enjoy participating in."
Jones explained that participants "get in" what they pay out since the partner runs 50 of the 52 weeks a year. "We've never had any delays or nonpayments, and we've been participating for years. The key is to participate with a group that is run by someone dependable, who vets trustworthy members—no complaints over here."
She uses the funds to nurture her enterprise projects. "Currently, my new business is the lucky recipient. While the $5,000 is only a drop in the bucket when looking at the capital required to run the start up, every bit counts. If you can find a trust-worthy group with a great track record (and you're dependable yourself), it's worth checking out for sure. I've heard horror stories from others participating in other groups, so I would never blindy recommend them. As with everything, do your research and determine if it's the best fit for you."
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Meet the 'Banker'
Shana Cole, founder of The Shana Cole Collection and Soignee By Shana Cole, is another island girl with a knack for financial savvy that started at a young age. Jamaican-born, she led a partner as a teen. "I started sou-sou when I was in high school. It was a way of savings for me. I used to save to buy my outfits and things that my parents wouldn't buy me. I've been joining with credible people since then and I now run a couple which are all successful."
Cole said she's been able to buy a car, get inventory stock for her business, finance awesome vacations and pay off debts. "I'm about to pay off my student loan [with savings from] my current one. I've even seen people use it for a down payments on a house."
Cole warns that those interested in participating must understand risks like a shady "banker" running off with the money, and her concerns echo that of experts who advise consumers to avoiding scams, especially savings group advertisements that are sent from random Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts.
Image via Giphy
So, should you join an informal savings group or "partner" to reach your financial goals during the pandemic? My verdict is to proceed with caution, do your research, and be sure you are comfortable handing your hard-earned money to the people involved. If you have doubts, just don't do it sis.
Financial literacy advocates have even said that some people looking to participate should instead invest in the usual options of interest-bearing savings accounts, stock market investments, small loans, or financial advisement from a certified professional to cultivate debt reduction plans. There are also a plethora of employment, housing, business, and other resources for people struggling financially due to the pandemic. (There are a few good ones here, here, here and here.)
All in all, as my Granny would say, "Don't write a check you can't cash, and don't get into a pickle you can't eat." If you're already in a financial bind, this definitely isn't a good option, and it really shouldn't be something you think of as a "get rich quick" solution. Traditional sou-sous do not focus on profit but on savings, so if you hear promises that you'll make a certain amount after a specific short period of time, you might have the making of a pyramid scheme on your hands and a great reason to just say no.
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Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Living In A New City And Feeling Nervous About Making Friends? These 6 Tips Can Help
The first big leap was moving to a new city and getting settled into my new home. The next big leap? Was finding community and belonging. Moving to a new city excited me! I looked forward to having my own apartment, decorating it, and exploring what the city had to offer. I also found excitement in the thought of meeting new people and expanding my connections. When it actually came down to it, I felt nervous. I heard that making new friends as an adult can be hard because we all have different responsibilities and schedules that may not align. I knew in order for me to really feel at home in my new city, I had to create community.
Having a community of people who I can share memories with, lean on in times of need, and inspire each other is something I always valued. I took a moment to truly center in on what I desired from the new friends I would make. Then I realized it all would have to start with me. I had to be centered and confident in who I was to attract who I desired to be aligned with. As someone who moved to a new city and established quality friendships, I gathered these six tips that helped me feel grounded and create community in hopes that it will help you, too.
6 tips to start building community and making new friends in a new city:
Sean Anthony Eddy/ Getty Images
Be true to yourself
Do you know who you are? If someone asked you to describe yourself in three words, what words would you use? In order to develop deep friendships, you must be a friend to yourself first. Know what refuels you and what zaps your energy. Self-study your habits and why you do the things you do. All this will be important to keep in mind when looking to create bonds with others. Every day there’s all kinds of people telling you who you should be, how you should act, or what you should wear. At the end of the day, the only opinion about yourself that truly matters is your own. Spend some alone time with yourself indoors or out at an event you like to truly discover who you are in this season of your life.
Pray about it
Before you step out into the world and cross paths with all kinds of people, it’s important to pray about building your community. God outlines what true friendship looks like in numerous Bible verses such as "Iron sharpens iron." - Proverbs 27:17 and “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. If you desire friendships that last, pray about what you seek in friendship. I remember praying for mentally stable, happy, and whole women who moved through life with abundance mindsets. Take a moment to journal about the community you want to build and then pray on it.
Go to fun events to meet people who share your interests
Most metropolitan cities like Washington, D.C., New York City, and Atlanta are known to have strong young professional communities and events where you can connect with others. I highly encourage you to attend events in or near your community to see what the city is like and meet people. It’s likely that the people at the event have the same interests as you, which is a great way to start a conversation. You can start by searching for events on Eventbrite or following Instagram pages that highlight events happening in your city.
Carlos Barquero/ Getty Images
Accept that you won’t be compatible with everyone you meet
While living in your new city, it’s likely you’ll meet a variety of people. Please know that everyone you meet will not bud into lasting friendships, and that’s okay! You are uniquely created and not made for everyone. Then you’ll meet people who are good for only surface-level connections, and then you’ll have your girls who you can get deep with. I think sometimes people can look down on surface-level friendships, but not everyone needs to fully know you. That’s a privilege to have and to accept within yourself. Continue to check in with yourself and be real about who you crave to spend more time with and who is nice to see for a monthly or quarterly catch-up.
Join Facebook groups & GroupMe chats
If you haven’t used Facebook in a couple of years, it’s time to dust your profile off. Facebook Groups is a great place to join online communities for people who just moved to a new city like you. Typically, you have to agree to the group’s guidelines, and then you can join. For example, you can search for groups in the Facebook app by using keywords like women, Black girl, or [the name of your city] foodies. With the GroupMe app, you’ll have to be invited to join an already existing group. While you’re out and about networking, don’t hesitate to ask if they’re in any online groups/communities they recommend you join too.
Be friendly to folks in your neighborhood
When I first moved to my new apartment, I spent the first week walking around the complex and working in the community spaces to get a better feel of it. I was able to meet people in my neighborhood, enjoy small talk, and learn more about what the community has to offer. Step outside of your comfort zone and work in your apartment’s community space or a local coffee shop to connect with others.
Overall, you may feel alone in your new city, but I guarantee you’re not. There are other people experiencing living in a new city too, and all you need to do is find each other. I hope these tips help ease the nervous feelings you have about building a new community and inspire you to make a new friend today!
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