Where We Bout to Eat At?

By: Tiara Davis

Whaddup Cousin,

Somebody asked me, “What y’all doin’ this weekend,” and I almost lost it. 

Kinfolk! I’m is livin’ in my skin and stayin’ at home. And you know issa hurricane comin’, So really, I’m sittin’ in the dark. People really be playin’ on my phone. 

Before C-19, I used to have plans. Big Plans. International plans. Domestic Plans. Family Plans. My days, months, weeks, all had direction. Purpose, if you will. 

Despite not being able to go anywhere, I still continue to plan my monies. All these dollas got to work together for the greater good. From bills to saving to investing. They ain’t just about to sit around, soaking up my good air, doing nothing. They. Need. To. Work. Momma Rita used to tell me some variation of that all summer long.

But check this out.

Government might have something coming your way real soon in the form of a stimulus check. I did a quick research sweep and it doesn’t appear to have been confirmed. But there’s nothing wrong with setting a plan in motion for when them people get they ish together. 

You take that mofo, flip it, dip it, and reverse it. 400 for credit cards, 600 for saving 300 for student loans build your plan and put it to work!

I can hear you already. But cousin my outfit.  Let me stop you right there. 

Clothes: You ain’t goin’ no where so you won’t need nuffin’. 

Brunch: You got food at home. Better yet, fast. Yo digestive system need a break. 

Flight: Side-eye

Hotel: Oh so you really feel like playin’ with me today?

Hair: Cuzzo, you better turn that Zoom camera off and get it poppin’ with audio. Ain’t nobody need to see your face. 

What else you got? This time around. The stimulus money will have a plan; a purpose to elevate you into something better. 

I’mma share my plan in the comments. What’s yours?

T

Student Loans and the Games We Play

By: Tiara Davis

Cuzzo,

You up?

Tell me why the government extending interest free payment for student loans. Chile yes. I logged into my loan service provider, you know, to fact check and there it was. 

Dear TIARA,

On Aug. 8, 2020 President {redacted} 45 extended the 0% student loan interest rate and suspension of payments on federal student loans owned by the Department of Education (ED) until Dec. 31, 2020.

Whew Chile. This blessing right here, rightfully received. 

My student loans. Lordt, where do I start?

You know the feelin’ you used to get when you had to check your grades after the semester ended? Or maybe the feelin’ you get when you been spendin’ good coin and that statement bout to look crazy. Them tense heart palpitations. That’s me and the student loans platform every month. 

I promise I was payin’ the bill. Every month. A good 272, hard earned, taxed dollars! But that principal said, “ Thou shalt not be moved.” I would even put a little extra. And like a stiff weave… I digress.

Imma’ be honest, ‘cause we family. This what I used to tell myself. 

“Obama ain’t pay his loans off til he was 40, you got time.”

“Just ignore it.”

“If you become a forever student, you ain’t gotta’ pay it back.”

I stood by all three of those mantras. And while I allowed those silly notions to comfort me, my balance continued to creep up. It got to the point that my student loan payment returned to its original amount. 

I know cuz. I was really out here playin’ in these streets. 

When I heard about interest free, I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity. And so, I started aggressively paying down my loans. 

The method? Slight work.

• All additional monies allocated to Student Loan
• Focus on one loan at a time and pay it down
• Allocate 1000-1600 a month (If you can, if not do something)

I realize this a privilege. So I’ll ask. If you can, do. If not, take advantage of the interest free period and focus your financial attention elsewhere. 

You got student loans? What’s your plan?

T

Start With Where You Are

By: Tiara Davis

Hey Cousin,

You aight? The quarantine snacks hittin’ ya pockets heavy? Them recipes on Youtube all fun and games ‘til you hit the checkout line. Since when it cost 55 dollars to make tacos?!

This me, “ Oh naw, take that off, “ and then, “ You can put that back.” And there are other times where I’m like you know what, “Treatcho self Fam.” And so, I spend 60-75 dollars on various cooking items that I’ll probably never use again. 

But I ain’t stressed. Ask me why cousin?

‘Cause I’ve saved for moments like these. Food is being marked up at my local grocery store, my position is no longer certain and I swear I got a text message from Furlough sayin’, “ You up?”

In the past, I put a little money away until I was stable enough to build an emergency savings fund.  Lemme’ show you how.

First, issa a whole lot of literature about the importance of an emergency savings fund. The experts encourage us to save 20% of our income or  3 – 6 months of our expenses. A quick google search will render countless options of “how tos” and “why comes.” 

As a young professional, all of those figures seemed out of reach. So I didn’t use it. 

I started with what I had which amounted to 100 dollars per pay period. In 6 months, I saved $1200; enough to cover my rent ($595), car note ($189), insurance ($134), and phone bill ($56). I highlighted some of my monthly expenses because I want you to remember to track yours. 

In that time, I built the mindset, built the habit, and most important, learned to live without it. 

It was too easy.

So I doubled it.

I started saving $200 per pay period. Four hundred a month, for six months, das about $2400 plus my other $1200.  That’s a calm $3600! We out here lookin’ cute fam. She really shapin’ up to look like somebody’s fund!

I used the same tactic until I was living off fifty percent of my monthly income. The check I received on the 1st was for me, and the check I received on the 15th was for future me. 

I built the emergency savings until I saved my yearly salary. I know, I know, girl whet?! I like a challenge. 

But that’s just it. You set the goal. Crush the Goal. Set another one and then set your sights on something greater. Real estate could be cute. What y’all think?

Let’s chat in the comments! What do you plan to start with?

Love Ya Cuz,

Tiara Davis