Memorial Day Inspiration, Debt Paydown, and Wealthy Moments
/It’s Memorial Day weekend and I’m sure you’re spending time with friends and family, so I’ll let you return to them really soon. I also know that you will not forget to take time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Whether you’re engrossed in the NBA playoffs, albeit cheering for the defending champion L.A. Lakers or holding on to the edge of your seat rooting for the N.Y. Knicks (like me), or traveling outside of your hometown, I also hope you take some time to think about what the next few months means for YOU.
Unless you invest in yourself first, it’s hard to invest in other things in your life. How do you want to spend your time and talents this summer? Where do you want to invest in your skills and interests? What are you willing to do in order to make those things happen for yourself?
Take 20 minutes to reflect on these questions in the next few days. Write down your answers and come back to them in the coming weeks.
Need some inspiration for going after things that will take you to the next level? Look no further than your fellow Charisse Says community member, Michelle H.:
Michelle just submitted her last payment, which wiped out the final portion of $30,000 in debt. Michelle was intentional about setting a goal for herself 5 years ago. She utilized GreenPath as a debt management agency with a credit counseling option to consolidate different debts, lowered her overall interest rate, and made extra payments along the way. I am so proud of Michelle and her story is inspiring!
Michelle said that “she is on a path to being a Wealthy Girl.” If she can put her mind toward a goal, so can you!
Here are some other great resources that might help you reflect this weekend:
Retail Shelves Cleaned Out By Strong Demand. This article states one important fact: “Total. U.S. spending at stores, restaurants and online jumped 10.7% to $620 billion in March from February 2021 and stayed at that level in April...that means Americans spent more than $100 billion extra each month compared with March and April 2019, when the U.S. economy was booming and unemployment was near historic lows.” So, I ask you - are you investing more in consumer staples or discretionary stocks? Do you have exposure in your portfolio to take advantage of this underlying consumer demand? Are you keeping an eye on your spending?
Read Heather McGhee’s, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. I’ve started listening to this book and all I have to say is -- read it! McGhee offers a salient point that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone - not just for people of color. This affects all aspects of our lives that make us wealthy - our health, education, and of course, money!
Check out the new Netflix docuseries, High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, inspired by the culinary history book High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey From Africa to America written by Jessica B. Harris. I’m a foodie and if you want to I just started the docuseries and it’s amazing. If you are looking for new dishes and wealthy moments to bring to your home, you might find inspiration here.
A Wealthy Girl Corner
It’s a full circle moment because my book made it to Long Island, and specifically on the shelves of Roosevelt Library and Freeport Memorial Library, where I spent countless hours studying and reading growing up. I have to pinch myself! My parents were there to mark the occasion and I couldn’t be happier - a true family wealthy moment!
Did you miss my IG live talk with Tulaine Montgomery on wealth and economic justice? You can check it out HERE.
On Monday, the U.S. will remember the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 in Tulsa Oklahoma. I say boldly in this Fortune article that “It’s the intangible wealth that comes from confidence, that comes from exposure, that comes from knowledge,” all of which was prevented from informing Black communities or rippling through Black family trees…That was all taken away by this event.”
Moving forward, we must be stronger together!
