5 No Cost Things You Can Do to be Financially Stable

People that teach financial education often talk about lowering your expenses and increasing your income to increase your financial stability. Of course those things are good but today I want to focus on the five free things you can do to increase your financial stability.

For all of my personal finance tips, order my book “10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money“. If you already have a few challenges, order my Amazon Best Seller “Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook“.

 

#1 Open an Account at a Credit Union

One of the best financial decisions you can make is to open a checking account at a credit union. It costs nothing to open an account and the benefits are many: better customer service, often lower account fees, usually cheaper car loans, mortgages, and credit cards, and the opportunity to build a relationship with a financial institution with all these great benefits before you need to ask for a loan. Check here to find the credit union closest to you.

 

#2 Check Your Credit Reports

You may know that there are three credit reports and three credit scores for each of us but did you know that you can have free access to your reports? The credit bureaus have the right to control who has access to the scores that they’ve created the mathematical formulas to create, BUT the records …  the information that make up the data those formulas use is your data and is free for you to access. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free copy of your reports once every 12 months.

 

#3 Collect Your Change

For years I’ve told people that an easy way to find money to build up your Emergency Fund or invest in a no-load mutual fund was to throw your spare change in a jar. I still believe it’s true. On average, you’ll have about $50 per month is quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Instead of that spare change ending up under the couch cushions, in your car’s ashtray, and at the bottom of your purse throw it in an empty water jug or an actual piggy bank. Don’t believe me? Check out this blog.

 

 

#4 Open a High Yield Savings Account

Since I’ve been badgering you to create an Emergency Savings Account, I thought I’d help you out by providing you with the latest lists of accounts with the highest interest rates (you’ll earn more money than at your local financial institution) across the US. Check out the highest yielding savings accounts here.

 

#5 Choose You

This is the hardest free thing you might ever have to do: choose yourself over everything. Choose to save some money for an emergency instead of eating out. Choose to invest some money in a mutual fund instead of purchasing an extra excursion on a trip. Choose to think you’re going to create the exact life you’d like to have …   and then do the prep work so when your opportunity comes, you’re ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

College Basics for Parents: Helping your kid graduate debt free

Bigger Than Your Block is pleased to announce a new FREE webinar for the parents of college students. Scholarship guru, and mom who used these strategies to get her daughter through undergrad with NO student loan debt, Gwen Richardson, will present College Basics for Parents: Helping your kid graduate debt free with the most dynamic financial education speaker working today, Shay Olivarria.

 

In this FREE webinar Gwen Richardson, author of 101 Scholarship Applications: What It Takes to Obtain a Debt-Free Education, and Shay Olivarria, author of 10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money, will help you navigate the money side of undergrad.

The webinar will cover:

• How to find scholarships to apply to.
• Strategies to help your student with scholarships.
• Which two accounts your student needs to open to create financial wealth.
• Tips and tricks to help your student learn to manage money while in school (in preparation for life).

 

Please join us:

Saturday, September 8th

or

Monday, September 10th

Want to read the books before the webinar? You can order a copy of both for $30 total, including shipping. 10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money sells on Amazon for $15 plus shipping on its own. If I were you, I’d run to get both for $30.

See you at the webinar!

Wells Fargo Customers to See Money from Fraud Settlement

You may remember the scandal involving national bank Wells Fargo opening accounts (checking, saving, credit cards, etc.) for people that had no idea those accounts had been opened. If you have no idea what I’m talking about read this article. As more people come to understand that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a great tool to help resolve complaints with large financial services companies (they also work to help with mortgage companies and credit card companies) complaints against banks are skyrocketing (which is why I advocate for using credit unions, but I digress).

If you were a Wells Fargo customer between May 2002 and April 2017, you may be owed some money (if not for them opening a fraudulent account for you, perhaps for charging you ridiculous fees on your mortgage). The types of accounts that were opened include:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Credit cards
• Lines of credit
• Identity theft protection

Some customers have already been refunded for fees associated with the fraudulent accounts (the Los Angeles times says around $3.2M so far) but others have yet to be contacted. Notices for customers that have already been identified should be mailed out toward the end of September. Customers that have not yet been identified should visit the Wells Fargo settlement website: https://wfsettlement.com/

The money probably won’t be out until 2018 as the judge has to approve all the settlements. The scheduled court date is January 4th. To find out more about the Wells Fargo settlement read “Wells Fargo’s $142-million sham accounts settlement: What you need to know” from the Los Angeles Times.

 

Facebook Chat for High School Seniors

To celebrate Financial Education Month Bigger Than Your Block will offer a free Facebook chat with high school seniors. Shay Olivarria the author of “10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money (2nd edition)” will be on hand. The one hour chat will allow students to  ask any questions they have about personal finance including:

• Choosing a credit union.
• Opening a checking account.
• Opening an investment or retirement account.
• Accepting financial aid monies.
• Locating scholarships.
• Creating a spending plan for college.
• Anything else you can come up with!

Wednesday, April 5th 6pm PST

#BTYBChat for High School Seniors

Join the chat

 

Financial Resources for Foster Care Students

I attended undergrad and grad school.

I started my company, Bigger Than Your Block, back in 2008.

I have traveled to 18 countries on 5 continents.

I was a foster kid that aged out of the system at 17 years old.

Fewer than 3% of foster kids earn a degree. I was one of the lucky ones. There shouldn’t be “lucky ones”. We have to do better.

I found this list of scholarships and grants for college students that are wards of the state. The Fostering Access to College Education (FACE) page has tons of good stuff.

First, eligible current and former foster youth may apply online for the Chafee Grant at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov. Grants are for eligible applicants ages 18-23 for up to $5,000 to assist with college tuition or job training. Youth must have been in foster care at or after the age of 16 to be eligible.

Other valuable sources for scholarship money are as follows: 

• Promises2Kids Guardian Scholars Program (www.promises2kids.org). The Program provides scholarships also up to $5000 per year to former foster youth enrolling in two and four-year colleges. Applicants should apply at the same time as their FAFSA filing (between Jan. 1 and Mar. 2). 
• Just in Time for Foster Youth: www.jitfosteryouth.org (approximate deadline is May 1–check website for updates). Its “College Bound” program provides laptops, printers, school supplies and/or dorm room/apartment furnishings for selected youth.
• Fostering Opportunities Dollars for Scholars: www.mydollar.org (approximate deadline is July 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester–check website for updates). A $500 grant per semester is available to former foster youth enrolling in San Diego colleges or universities.
• San Diego Foundation (http://www.sdfoundation.org/GrantsScholarships/Scholarships/ForStudents.aspx) or call 619-814-1307. The San Diego Foundation is a clearinghouse for a large number of private scholarships, each with different sets of criteria. Scholarship applications may be filed online between Dec. 1 and February 9th (for first-time users). All application  materials are due February 13, 2012 at 5 PM. Check the website for details.
• Change A Life Foundation: http://www.changealife.org/how_to_apply/default.aspx. You may file your scholarship application between Dec. 1 and March 15. San Diego residents with questions may contact Cat Gomez-Holly at cgomezholly@changealife.org.
• Orphan Foundation of America (OFA): www.orphan.org (approximate deadline is Mar. 31–check website for updates). OFA serves foster teens throughout the country and provides college scholarships.
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program: www.gmsp.org (early January deadline for outstanding African American, Native American, Hispanic American and Asian Pacific Islander American students)
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: www.hsf.net (for Latina/Latino students–deadlines vary)
• UNCF: www.uncf.org (for African-American students–deadlines vary)

 

 

Finally, you may search the internet for other private scholarships by using a free Web–based search engine. Try www.fastweb.com or www.collegeboard.com/pay. You should never pay to find, apply, or receive a scholarship.

6 Tips to Help Your Child Become Wealthy

Do you remember when the hospital staff put that little bundle of new baby into your arms? Perhaps you met your child in an office somewhere or maybe it was a park. Regardless of how your child came into your life, I bet you promised yourself that you would make the best life you could for your child. A big part of making a good life for your child, means educating them about personal finance and setting their feet on the path to wealth. Here are six things you can do while your child is still young to help them do well.

#1 Open a savings account at a credit union

Credit unions have great customer service, lower loan rates, and are smaller than many banks. Opening an account a credit union allows the child to start developing a relationship with a financial institution and helps the child understand that money go into an account before one can swipe a card. Many credit unions also make an effort to reach out to youth, so they may offer incentives to open an account and yearly incentives to contribute more during Financial Literacy Month (April).

#2 Buy individual stocks for birthdays holidays

There are multiple sites where adults can buy individual stocks, complete with attractive stock certificates, for children. If the child is old enough, have them help by thinking about what products they use every day and why certain stocks might be a better investment than others. Place the stock certificates where they can view them often and bring it up in conversation.

#3 Encourage friends and family to contribute to a 529 plan

Most friends and family love to purchase new clothes or new toys for children. While any gift is certainly appreciated, a gift of $10 that could triple its value is much more helpful. Most 529 plans have a way for friends and family to put a few dollars in for milestones.

#4 Let the kid grocery shop with a spending plan and coupons

Kids see adults buying things all the time, but rarely do they understand why we choose one item over another. Including the child in grocery shopping helps the child to understand value over cost, that things do cost money, money is not infinite, and how money moves from a checking account to a vendor (through cash, check, debit card or credit card).

#5 Set limits at  amusement parks

When you arrive at an amusement park, hand each child a specific amount and tell them that once they spend it, there will be no more money. As they spend, try to guide them by explaining the rationale behind each choice but do not force them to spend the way you want. If they run out of money and become upset, it’s a tough lesson to learn but would you rather have them learn this lesson at nine years old or twenty-nine year old?

#6 Sock the college fund in a Roth IRA

Investing for your child’s college education is good, but depending on where you put the money, the funds could count against the child with the financial aid office. A Roth IRA is a great place to park the money because it’s counted differently than other college investment plans, you can take out the principle with no fees whenever you want, and if there is money left over, that money can grow tax deferred until retirement. Talk with your fee-only financial advisor about this option.

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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.

 

 

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.

DREAMers Leave Scholarship Money on the Table

“Overall, roughly a third of financial awards for illegal immigrant students attending state or public schools went unused in 2015 …. ” Business Insider says.

According to ImmigrationPolicy.org, there are 1.5 million people that could consider themselves DREAMers. The DREAM Act is explained a bit below:

A new analysis casts some much-needed light on the question of exactly who might be eligible for the Obama Administration’s “deferred action” initiative for unauthorized youth who were brought to this country as children. This initiative, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on June 15, offers a two-year, renewable reprieve from deportation to unauthorized immigrants who are under the age of 31; entered the United States before age 16; have lived continuously in the country for at least five years; have not been convicted of a felony, a “significant” misdemeanor, or three other misdemeanors; and are currently in school, graduated from high school, earned a GED, or served in the military. Immigrants who meet these criteria are commonly referred to as “DREAMers” because they comprise most (though not all) of the individuals who meet the general requirements of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.

That means that there are students that eligible for money to attend college, but they are not applying for it. Some say that they are concerned about providing their parent’s tax information. They don’t want to be deported.

Many DREAMers came here are kids and would have no idea what to do if deported to their “home” country. Some don’t speak the language of that country. Some have no relatives or contact in that country. The DREAM Act is allowing students that are good kids to further their education. Students have to do well in school and cannot commit crimes.

“Moreover, Ed Source reports that many students were disqualified from Dream ACT scholarships for not obtaining the requisite 2.0 grade point average for community colleges and 3.0 for state school .. “. Business Insider has more about students not getting the funds that are available to them.

I want to share some places that offer scholarships to undocumented students:

Scholarships on Generation Progress Undergrad, grad school

Golden Door Scholarships Undergrad

United We Dream Undergrad

 

Do you know of more scholarships for undocumented students?

Leave ’em in the comments section. Thanks! =)

 

 

 

Virtual Book Launch June 8th

As you all know, I am ecstatic about the printing of the 2nd edition of 10 Things College Students Need to Know about Money! I’m so excited that for the first time ever I’m hosting a virtual book launch on Facebook. What is a virtual book launch you ask? Good question.  *wink*

A virtual book launch is an opportunity for you to ask me about the book, win some cool gifts and score an AMAZING discount on the book. I’m so excited.

Sign up to receive my emails and get another gift.

Subscribe to our mailing list

See you Wednesday, June 8th between 6:30pm and 8:30pm Pacific Standard Time.

Rihanna Gives $5,000 to $50,000 to College Students

Wow!

Singer Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation that will provide 50 scholarships to students from Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica that have been accepted into a 4 year college program in the United States, saying:

“I don’t think it’s fair that children carry the burden of financial limitations at such a young age,” Rihanna stated. “To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honor. Higher education will help provide perspective, opportunities and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this.”

Applicants will need:

1. A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Unofficial transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
2. A completed Applicant Appraisal Form (click to view and print the form).
3. A copy of the acceptance letter from the accredited four-year college or university you will be attending in the United States.

Deadline is June 10th

Apply here

 

 

4th Annual STOP THE PAIN Teen Summit, Nov. 15th

Guess where financial educations speaker and author Shay Olivarria will be Saturday, November 15th? Speaking at the 4th Annual STOP THE PAIN Summit at CSU Dominguez Hills! I’ll be there representing South LA Saves. Register now and I’ll see you on Saturday!

 

The Positive Results Corporation Invites You To

STOP THE PAIN,

Teen Summit on Dating Violence, Sex Trafficking & Bully Prevention

Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:30am to 4:00 pm

California State University @ Dominguez Hills,

Loker Student Union

1000 East Victoria Street

Carson, CA 90747

 

Ages 10 – 25, Parents & Guardians Invited

Free Community Event

Receive 10 Community Service Hrs.

Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Gift Bag

Register @ https://stopthepain4thannual.eventbrite.com

 

Workshops include: (But not limited to)

Dating Violence Awareness                Healthy Relationships

Bully Prevention           Sex Trafficking Awareness
College Readiness                           Financial Literacy
Self Defense Training for Females
HIV / AIDS Awareness                        Raising Healthy Babies
Sex In The Media          Man Up, What It Means To Be A Man

Recognizing The Signs – The Tragedy of Youth Suicide

 

Workshops & Exhibitor Tables in English and Spanish

Workshops for Men, Women, Youth and (TAY)

Transitional Aged Youth workshop series…What Now!

 

Contact

Kandee Lewis (kandeele@aol.com) or info@prc123.com

To Sponsor Summit, Become an Exhibitor, or Provide Donations for Gift Bag or Information

All Donations ARE Tax Deductible!

Mad City Money – Boyle Heights

The Center for Financial Empowerment teamed up with local organizations in Boyle Heights to host Mad City Money reality fair Saturday, June 21st. As it happens, it was the weekend before the new SCE Credit Union branch re-opened in Boyle Heights! Whoo hoo!

Students listen to financial education speaker Shay Olivarria as they prepare to take part in the Mad City Money reality fair in Boyle Heights.

Students getting materials for Mad City Money reality fair in Boyle Heights.

Volunteers from SCE Credit Union.

Adelante Mujer Latina 2014

Financial education speaker Shay Olivarria taking a break from speaking during the Adelante Mujer Latina Conference at Pasadena City College.

This is the second year that I have volunteered at the Adelante Mujer Latina Conference at Pasadena City College. I enjoy it a little more each time.

Can you tell that Shay LOVES her work! #FinancialEducation #Conference #Goodtimes

I can’t wait to see what next year brings!

 

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

Helping a Parent With Personal Finance

It’s inevitable that at some point your parents may need your help paying bills, managing real estate, monitoring insurance, creating a living trust or some other financial piece that you were not helping with before. In some cases a parent will ask for help. In other cases you may have to bring it up first.

Help or Coup?

If you notice that your loved one(s) are having trouble keeping up with their finances, don’t barge in and take over. Your parent(s) are adults with a host of experiences and education behind them. It’s understandable that they might see your involvement as an intrusion.

If you think that your parent(s) may require your help, talk with them about it. Do they think that they need help? If so, what kind of help would they like? The goal is to help your parent(s) in whatever way they might need, not to barge into their lives and make them feel like children.

Some helpful websites:

Medication Donut Hole – If you have Medicare Part D, you may be at risk of falling into the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole.” Follow this four-step tool and save money!

AARP Quicklink – Need financial help for a parent or grandparent, but not sure where to begin?

Social Security Estimator – Find out how much money your parent will be able get from Social Security with this easy calculator.

Medicare – Have questions about Medicare coverage?

National Foundation for Credit Counseling  – Need help paying off a parent’s debt?

Federal Trade Commission – What to do when parent(s) are scammed.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Report financial fraud. Get help!

AARP Tax Help – Tax preparation for low income seniors.

Tips for helping a parent with personal finances:

• Make a list of everything that needs to be monitored (primary home, rental property, vehicles, checking and saving accounts, investment accounts, pensions, valuable personal property and any items in a safe deposit box.
• Keep their assets separate from yours.
• Keep clear records of everything that you’re doing.
• Include all stakeholders in the information loop.
• Consider hiring professionals to help. Ex: accountant, financial advisor, insurance agent, etc.

 

Remember, you’re there to help your parent(s) in whatever way that you can. Let them lead the conversation but pay attention to their behaviors.

Good luck!

 

WEBINAR: Pay Off Holiday Debt

In an effort to reach even more people, Bigger Than Your Block will be hosting a series of FREE financial education webinars. The first in the series is Pay Off Holiday Debt. In this informative webinar you’ll discover the two most important strategies to pay down debt, how the CARD Act helps you pay down debt faster than ever before and how to make your credit card work for you!

REGISTER HERE

The webinar is WEdnesday, January 19th 6pm PST/9pm EST.

Update:

In case you missed the live webinar, you can check out the replay at https://www.anymeeting.com/WebConference-beta/RecordingDefault.aspx?c_psrid=EF51DB878048