Why Not Write a “Real”Book?

I get asked this from time to time, “Shay, why not write a real book?” I think people appreciate the books I’ve written:Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook, 10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money, All My Mistakes, and now the 2nd edition of 10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money but they think the books are too small. When on thinks of a book, they think of “smart” people talking about subjects or creating characters that the average person couldn’t have put together. The more challenging the book, the better the book is.

Well, that’s not my cup of tea. There are so many really good in-depth books already covering advanced personal finance topics. What wasn’t there until I wrote 10 Things, was an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand book that explained the basics of personal finance for people that are just getting started. When I began learning about personal finance, I had to read with the book on one thigh and a dictionary on the other thigh! Lol I couldn’t understand HALF of the words and concepts that the books were throwing around. Young people and the uninitiated deserve to have a book too.

 

Shay Olivarria is the most dynamic financial education speaker working today. She speaks at high schools, colleges, and companies across the country. She has written three books on personal finance, including Amazon Best Seller “Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook”. Shay has been quoted on Bankrate.com, FoxBusiness.com, NBC Latino and The Credit Union Times, among others. To schedule Shay to speak at your event visit www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com.

Invest for Retirement NOW

“Twenty-one percent of those surveyed who have not retired have saved nothing for retirement and 44 percent have saved less than 10 percent of their salary.”

This quote is from Financial Advisor Magazine talking about a survey done by TIAA-CREF. How do people think that they are going to live in retirement? Do they plan on retiring?

Regardless of how old you are, it’s better to have something rather than nothing. Take a look at how much the Social Security Administration will pay you in retirement and you tell me if you can afford NOT to invest an extra $50 per month in your 401k, 403b or IRA.

Let’s take a look at the numbers, shall we?

Start Investing  Per Month  % Return   Value at 67

18                      $50                      9%          $536,841.50

21                     $50                      9%         $408,642.74

30                     $50                      9%         $178,618.62

40                     $50                      9%         $68,888.51

50                      $50                       9%         $24,125.50

It’s pretty simple:

• If you have a 401k or 403b at your job you probably have a match. Investing a few dollars every pay period lowers your tax base (instead of paying Uncle Sam you invest in yourself) and your company will contribute a few coins to every dollar you invest. Start early. Invest often. Check and see how much contributing $50 or $100 each pay period will change your take home pay. There won’t be much change in how your check looks every two weeks, but it could change how your retirement looks.
• If you don’t have access to a 401k or 403b then open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) at a brokerage house that you trust. You have to fill out a two page application and send over a voided out check. You can open many accounts by promising to contribute at least $50 per month. That $600 per year could grow into 5 or 6 figures using compound interest. Start early. Invest often.

If you are thinking about investing and you’re not sure where to start:

• If you are a member of a credit union: contact Balance for FREE help.
• If you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at your job: contact the EAP for FREE help.
• If you do not have access to these: find a fee-only financial advisor for help.

You can create the life you want.

You are powerful.

Go get it.

PEACE,

Shay

Order Money Matters on Amazon.com

Shay Olivarria is the most dynamic financial education speaker working today. She speaks at high schools, colleges, and companies across the country. She has written three books on personal finance, including Amazon Best Seller “Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook”. Shay has been quoted on Bankrate.com, FoxBusiness.com, NBC Latino and The Credit Union Times, among others. To schedule Shay to speak at your event visit www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com

3 Reasons to Buy Money Matters

Order Money Matters on Amazon.com

If you are looking to make some changes and get on track financially, Money Matters by Shay Olivarria is the book for you. There is a check-up for where you are with your financial goals. The book addresses savings; short term and long term. It tells you how to set up retirement accounts, investments, and how NOT to get into deep debt. This is great for those beginning their journey into the real world. Also, for those that have already messed up, Olivarria has steps on how to get back on track.

Olivarria creates a great guide for you to create your own individual plan to get out of debt and on the track to financial freedom. She states that you have to be patient and consistent. It is never too late to turn it around. I suggest you gift this book to college graduates. It is straight to the point and interactive.

This book was provided courtesy of the author for review.

DCSquared

 

#1 You want to know more about personal finance, but you’re not sure where or how to begin.

We all want to make better financial decisions. The challenge is that sometimes we’re not sure what to do or we have hard decisions to make where both options seem like bad ideas. We get so caught up in running from day to day that we forget that we can make changes if we take a moment to plan instead of react. Money Matters was written with that in mind. The very first worksheet is one page long and helps you see the bigger picture by asking a few simple questions.

#2 You are intimidated by personal finance jargon.

Have you ever tried to read a personal finance book or spoke with someone in the financial services industry and you didn’t understand what they were saying? Me too! Personal finance is not complicated, but it’s easy to make it seem complicated by using industry jargon. Money Matters is written clearly. I don’t try to confuse the reader by making things sound harder than they are. That’s why media outlets across the country have quoted me and asked me to write for them. I make money management simple.

#3 You want to know what you need to know to make things change.

Take a look at the Table of Contents from Money Matters in the image above. This book covers “just the facts ma’am”. There are tons of books that do into depth about any area of personal finance that you might be interested in. This is not that book. Money Matters is a bare-bones, simple read with worksheets to help you make good decisions about money. The book covers net worth, retirement planning, paying off debt, managing your credit score, payday loans, rapid tax refunds, and even saving money on your groceries.

 

Shay Olivarria is the most dynamic financial education speaker working today. She speaks at high schools, colleges, and companies across the country. She has written three books on personal finance, including Amazon Best Seller “Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook”. Shay has been quoted on Bankrate.com, FoxBusiness.com, NBC Latino and The Credit Union Times, among others. To schedule Shay to speak at your event visit www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com

Money Matters is a Best Seller on Kindle!

Whoo hoo!

Yea! The most dynamic financial education speaker’s first book has become an Amazon Best Seller on Kindle! It was in the #7 position before it settled into the #19 position. The workbook is available on Kindle for only $0.99! Hurry, download your copy now.

Click here to purchase your copy.

Books on Kindle

You’re wishes have been answered! Now, all three of Shay’s amazing personal finance books are available for Kindle.

All My Mistakes: Money lessons for emancipating youth on Kindle

All My Mistakes: Money lessons for emancipating youth in print

Click here to read about why Shay wrote this book.

In this autobiographical personal finance book for emancipating foster kids, the most dynamic financial education speaker working today, Shay Olivarria, shares money lessons that she learned during her life while experiencing the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that led to her being placed in foster care.

Everything from finding an apartment and getting the utilities turned on to paying for college and saving for retirement are covered. Resources for emancipating youth shared from organizations across the country are also included.

This edition includes a bonus chapter on resumes, interviewing, and career advice.

10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money on Kindle

10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money in print

This simple book provides clarity in understanding the 10 things every college student needs to know about money, including money attitude, compound interest, credit unions, retirement accounts, credit, the CARD Act and net worth, with humor and brevity. A glossary of common personal finance terms is included.

Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook on Kindle

Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook in print

Finally, a workbook that makes money management simple! This easy-to-read workbook from personal financial literacy coach and professional speaker Shay Olivarria explains topics such as savings, goal setting, credit reports, credit scoring, net worth and retirement vehicles for the everyday person. As the old saying goes, “time is money” and with this workbook you can save quite a bit of both. The enclosed worksheets help you understand your financial situation and provide the necessary guidance to get your finances under control. In these tough times we must be proactive with our own futures and take control of our money; with Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook we can do just that.

Read a book review of Money Matters here.

K.I.S.S.

Stop making investing complicated.

Money management is simple.

Folks will try to make it seem more complex than it is by using financial jargon and complex terms for simple time-tested strategies, but the truth is that becoming wealthy through investing is really easy. For years I have been advocating a simple investment strategy in my book Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook:

– Choose a no-load mutual fund from an investment firm that you feel comfortable with and has a good history.
– Start investing in a tax-deferred account (401k/403b/IRA) as soon as you have earned income.
– Invest something every month. Even if it’s the minimum (usually about $50).
– Keep your eye on your money, but don’t worry.

It sounds crazy that investing can be this simple, but it is. There’s no “magic bullet” that will make you a millionaire and anyone that tells you there is one is more than likely a liar. You have to be willing to set a financial goal and then work toward reaching it by paying yourself first and making sure that you are spending waaaaay less than you make.

It’s not rocket science, but most people won’t do it. Not because it’s complicated, but because it’s easier to believe that you can’t be wealthy than it is to work to make it happen. If you’re thinking about investing and you’re a questioning yourself remember this: K.I.S.S.

Open a Money Market Account. Now.

Work smarter, not harder.

Raise your hand if you save money in your savings account and then transfer it to your checking account so often that you don’t actually end up saving any money. Put your hand down! Your co-workers are looking at you!

What’s a money market account?
A money market account is an uber-savings account. You put money in and take money out using a debit card and/or checks just like a savings account. You can only make a specific number of deposits and withdrawals per month. Due to that restriction, you earn a better interest rate than a savings account.

Why should I use one?
You should open a money market account because you have little-to-no willpower. Do you know how I know this? It’s because I have little-to-no will power as well. Life is not about beating yourself up about your shortcomings, but about finding work-arounds for the shortcomings that we all have.

I know that if I have thousands, heck, if I have hundreds of dollars lying around in a savings account that links to my ATM card I’m going to be really tempted to buy things that I don’t need. Having a money market account, with restrictions, makes me think a bit harder before I spend my money because I have to consider fees and penalties for taking money out.

Where to find a money market account
Money market accounts are offered at credit unions and banks around the country. Before you choose one, check Bankrate.com to make sure that you’re getting a competitive rate.

Extra tip:
– Don’t sign up for a debit card for your money market account. It’s too tempting.
– Keep your money that you’re saving for a short-term or intermediate-term savings goal in a money market account.

Read more simple money management tips in Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook.

Top 100 Books of 2010 List

I’m honored to have my first book, Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook, included in this year’s Top 100 Books of 2010 from Conversations.

Since 2008 Conversations’ “Top 100 Books” has been recognized for being the largest list each year that fairly gathers the best titles released by traditional publishing houses, small presses and even self-published authors worldwide of all genres and gives them the due they deserve. Cyrus Webb, the founder of the Conversations brand, has been an avid reader all of his life and has worked hard to make sure that there is something on the list for everyone.

Check out what other awesome books made the list

From a Writer’s Point of View

I’m so pleased that I was selected to be the featured upcoming author at From a Writer’s Point of View for May for my first book Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook!

I have a great article posted about my work on the site. Typically, folks want to know about personal finance or my background in foster care. I can honestly say, this is the first interview I’ve done of it’s kind. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out.

Here’s an excerpt:

There’s nothing like having your book printed up and you’re holding it in your hands when you realize that you have a “its” when you meant to have an “it’s” and you think about letting it go. Then you realize that for some people this book will be their first experience with you. They won’t know that you’re a genius that has traveled to 9 countries, went to grad school for business anthropology, and usually has impeccable grammar and syntax. They’ll read your book and think, “What kind of idiot can’t use the correct form for it is”?

Check out the interview and leave a comment. I’d love to hear what your thoughts are.

PayDay Loans … ugh – 4 Other Options

If you’ve read Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook, you know how I feel about PayDay loans. I ran across this PayDay Loan Fact Sheet and I wanted to share it with my readers.

In case you’re not familiar with PayDay Loans here’s what the Fact Sheet says about them:

Typically, a borrower writes a personal check for $100-$300, plus a fee, payable to the lender. The lender agrees hold onto the check until the borrower’s next payday, usually one week to one month later, only then will the check be deposited. In return, the borrower gets cash immediately. The fees for payday loans are extremely high: up to $17.50 for every $100 borrowed(1) , up to a maximum of $300. The interest rates for such transactions are staggering: 911% for a one-week loan; 456% for a two-week loan, 212% for a one-month loan.

That’s crazy right? I know sometimes you feel like your back is against the wall and you have to do what you have to do to put food on the table, but please think long and hard before you choose to take a PayDay loan. Instead of taking this type of loan:

#1 Take money out of your Emergency Fund. These unexpected expenses are exactly what your Emergency Fund exists for.

#2 Clean house. You probably have tons of things in your house you don’t even use. Round those things up and take them to the swap meet. Ask others if they have old items you can take away for them. You’ll pay about $25 to rent a booth, but you’ll be in a place where people come to buy used items. The chances are good you’ll walk away with a few hundred dollars.

#3 Go to your credit union and ask if you can take out a small personal loan. This will provide you with the money you need while costing less and helping your credit score when you pay it off.

#4 Ask a friend or family member. Be clear about how much you need and when you’ll be able to pay it back. These type of loans can damage your relationship if they are not taken care of. Don’t lose a good situation behind money.

Emergencies are always going to occur. Plan ahead and keep at least $500 in your Emergency Fund. Whatever you do, please don’t take out a PayDay loan.

April is Financial Literacy Month – Credit Cards for Students

Since April is Financial Literacy Month I’ve invited a few folks to share their blogs with my readers throughout the month.

As we all know, the new CARD Act has a restriction that will prohibit people younger than 21 from applying for a credit card unless they have a co-signer that is older than 21 years old. That means that parents with students that will be heading off to college soon may want to co-sign for a card for their child to use in emergency situations, but how do you know which card is a good fit for a college student? This guest post from Digerati Life discusses some of the pros and cons of credit card usage for college students and which credit cards may be the best option for your student.

Don’t forget to purchase a copy of Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook at a 25% discount (use code XS8K4YGX). Spread the word that financial literacy is power! Buy a book for a friend and a relative.

Each one teach one.

College and The CARD Act

There are two real changes that have taken place for college aged youth.

– You will not be sent any pre-screened offers if you are under 21.
– You will not be able to receive a credit card if you are under 21 unless you can a) prove that you have sufficient income to pay the money back or b) you have a co-signer over the age of 21.

What does that mean for college students? It means that no longer will many college students have access to easy credit. That means that students will really have to buckle down and look at the bigger picture. Before you go to your parents and beg them to co-sign on a credit card with you, think about the potential implications of you racking up bills that you might not be able to pay and your parents becoming frustrated by your inability to pay. If you have a card together and you can’t pay it falls to the co-payer to foot the bill.

Many college students don’t even need credit cards while in college. Credit cards are a tool that can be used in emergency situations, but they tend to have high interest rates. I’d think long and hard before turning to credit cards to pay for my college expenses. Think about this, before The CARD Act, the average American college student graduated with a little over $3,000 in credit card debt. The average APR was 14%**. Paying the minimum balance, let’s say $50 a month, it will take you 9 years to pay off the debt. Instead why not be proactive and figure out what you want to spend money on and then come up with a plan to bring in at least that much money. Each semester students should:

Write down all income that you anticipate.
Write down a spending plan for all expenses.
Keep an eye on your credit score so you’ll be able to get a good job after you graduate.
Monitor your checking accounts closely to make sure you’re not needlessly overspending.

Get out of college, not into debt.

PEACE

* Undergraduates are carrying record-high credit card balances. The average (mean) balance grew to $3,173, the highest in the years the study has been conducted. Median debt grew from 2004’s $946 to $1,645. Twenty-one percent of undergraduates had balances of between $3,000 and $7,000, also up from the last study. (Source: Sallie Mae, “How Undergraduate Students Use Credit Cards,” April 2009)

** Average APR on credit card with a balance on it: 14.31 percent, as of December 31, 2009 (Source: Federal Reserve’s G.19 report on consumer credit, March 2010)

April is Financial Literacy Month – Psychology of Spending

Since April is Financial Literacy Month I’ve invited a few folks to share their blogs with my readers throughout the month.

The first blog is about the Psychology of Spending. I’m sure we all know that we shouldn’t spend more than we make and we shouldn’t purchase things based on emotion….. but sometimes that’s harder said than done. In that spirit here’s a great article with tips to help you use money wisely.

Don’t forget to purchase a copy of Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook at a 25% discount (use code XS8K4YGX). Spread the word that financial literacy is power! Buy a book for a friend and a relative.

Each one teach one.

Zahra’s Bookstore Meet & Greet

This Saturday, April 3rd I’ll be signing copies of Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook. Come by between 2pm – 4pm.

Bring your teens!

Youth development speaker and author Shay Olivarria will discuss the 5 things we should be doing now to master our money. Lecture will be followed by a Q & A session and book signing for Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook.

This free event should not be missed.

Zahra’s Books N Things in Inglewood from 2pm – 4pm.

Shay Olivarria has worked with Upward Bound, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, and several other youth organizations and universities. Her second book, “10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money” will be out May 2010.

Books available online at: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and Powells.
Books available in store at:

Zahara’s Books
900 N. La Brea
Inglewood, CA

Smiley’s Books
22709 Avalon
Carson, CA

The Dock Bookshop
6637 Meadowbrook Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76112

Nubian Bookstore
2445 Southlake Mall
Morrow, GA

Malcolm’s Reading Room
404 17th St. North
Birmingham, AL

Why Women of Color MUST Master Their Money

Life is chess, not checkers. Make smart moves.

If you haven’t read the new study “Lifting as We Climb: Women of Color, Wealth and America’s Future” it’s time you do. One of the most startling discoveries of the study is

For all working-age black women 18 to 64, the financial picture is bleak. Their median household wealth is only $100. Hispanic women in that age group have a median wealth of $120.

Yes, you read that right. Though there are many reasons that these statistics exist I’d like to make mention of a few key points.

We tend to make less to begin with, so it’s vital that we manage what we earn well.

They also are more likely to be employed in jobs and industries — such as service occupations — with lower pay and less access to health insurance. And when their working days are done, they rely most heavily on Social Security because they are less likely to have personal savings, retirement accounts or company pensions. Their Social Security benefits are likely to be lower, too, because of their low earnings.

We can control our reactions to what happens to us and to do that we have to be aware of our options.

The current economic crisis has shown that a person’s wealth affects not only retirement security, but also a person’s ability to handle financial setbacks such as a job loss or a health emergency.

It’s imperative that we:
Start planning ahead
Figure out our net worth
Monitor our credit scores and understand why they matter
Show that we respect ourselves by making good money choices
Make a spending plan
Don’t use quick cash services

At the end of the day, for many reasons, it’s up to many women to make good choices for themselves and their families. We must ask the questions we don’t want to hear the answers to and make the tough choices. Educating yourself about personal finance will help put you in a position of power and you’ll be stronger for it.

Be well.

PEACE