Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
BFT TV: Steve Harvey Project on Centric TV...One of my Favs!
One of my favorite shows on TV is the "Steve Harvey Project" on Centric TV. This show is so funny! I look forward to watching it every day. Eugene's Birthdays is my absolute favorite. I also like the Pastors of the Jackpot Joint of Jerusalem. These folks are crazy! This show comes from the Steve Harvey's morning show. This project consist of Steve Harvey, Shirley Strawberry, Carla Ferrell and Nephew Tommy. If you looking for fun and comedy, then this show is for you. One of my absolute favs.
BFT Discussion: Party Affiliation or a Better America?
What governmental party are you affiliated with? The reason why I ask is because we put so much emphasis on what party is most just and correct. Well I have previously said that I was a die hard democrat, but I believe my position is changing. I don't think that I am completely democratic or republican. I like some of the views of both. What I wish for is for both parties to agree on what is best for the American people and not the for their own egos and personal agendas. This goes for the presidents, Congress, Governors, Mayors, etc.
The goal is to get America healthy again. One side is really no better than the other. I understand we all have opposing views. I understand that some people want to protect the rich and some want to protect the middle class and the poor. What I don't understand why people don't want to protect the rights of all Americans despite their circumstances. I believe that we all need health care. I believe that we need to get a healthy economy. I believe that we all need to feel protected and secure.
I believe the government needs to focus on getting America back on track. They need to get along and figure out a solution to get America healthy again. Everyone needs to come to the table with suggestions and solutions on getting us back on track. If politicians are not doing their jobs, then it is time to get them out of office. We have the power. It is time for you exercise it. It is time to make your voice count. It is time to put people in office that is serious about America and your quality of life. If we continue to allow to put people in office that do not care about your welfare, then we will continue to have an unhealthy America. The choice is yours.
Aretha Franklin on The Wendy Williams Show
Below is the phone interview Wendy Williams had with Aretha Franklin. Loved the interview! She talks about her health, what song she really likes, her dating life and her biopic movie deal that is on the table. Check out she wants to play her. Enjoy!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Are Prepaid Cards a Wise Choice?
Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 6:06 am
By: Mellody Hobson, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.comThere has been a lot of recent press surrounding prepaid cards. When prepaid cards first entered the market, the biggest complaint associated with them were the fees – transactions fees, inactivity fees, monthly fees, ATM fees, activations fees, customer service fees – making them a more expensive alternative than traditional banking.
My first choice is to always use a bank account. Banking is the modern way of managing finances around the world, and I feel strongly that our community should use this option to manage their money. That said, given certain circumstances, I think there can be times in which a prepaid card makes sense.
In your opinion, when do these cards make sense?
Prepaid cards are generally for those individuals who are unbanked or who do not qualify for traditional bank accounts (e.g., checking and savings accounts) as a result of bad credit. Typically, these individuals are looking for an alternate way to manage their money, pay bills and do their shopping without the worry of carrying large sums of cash around with them. Also, many individuals don’t want to use payday loan places to cash their paycheck and do business.
Additionally, prepaid cards can be a good training tool for teens - without putting your own credit at risk - teaching them about the importance of budgeting and finances since you must now co-sign for anyone under 21 who gets a credit card.
I know you prefer banks, but do you think there are positives associated with prepaid cards?
I do think there are positive aspects associated with prepaid cards. First, I like the consumer protections offered by some prepaid cards. For example, with the new REACH card, unauthorized transactions are protected by Visa’s zero liability charges. Therefore, if someone makes a fraudulent purchase, you would not be responsible for the charges. Additionally, some prepaid cards, like the REACH card, offer various levels of protections if a card is lost of stolen. For example, if you report a lost or stolen card within two business days, the customer’s liability is no more than $50. If the card isn’t reported within two days, the liability is limited to $500. However, if cardholders don’t notify the issuer about unauthorized charges within 60 days, they could be responsible for those charges. Beware. Not all prepaid cards offer such protections. By contrast, prepaid cards may only have voluntary protections in place that could be revised or rescinded at any time for any reason. So make sure you understand the protections that your card provides.
Another benefit is that prepaid cards allow you to spend only what you have on the card, saving you money on expensive bank overdraft fees.
Some cards, like the REACH card, also allow you to build credit, which is important when it comes to buying a home or a new car. PayFit Credit Builder, a built-in feature offered on a number of prepaid cards, allows you to build credit history every time you pay your bills, utilities and rent with a prepaid card. This is a positive for those individuals looking to build credit without having a credit card or other debt.
What should you look out for?
The point here is that all prepaid cards are not alike. Therefore, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of comparison shopping and reading the fine print if you are thinking to use a prepaid card.
My first choice is to always use a bank account. Banking is the modern way of managing finances around the world, and I feel strongly that our community should use this option to manage their money. That said, given certain circumstances, I think there can be times in which a prepaid card makes sense.
In your opinion, when do these cards make sense?
Prepaid cards are generally for those individuals who are unbanked or who do not qualify for traditional bank accounts (e.g., checking and savings accounts) as a result of bad credit. Typically, these individuals are looking for an alternate way to manage their money, pay bills and do their shopping without the worry of carrying large sums of cash around with them. Also, many individuals don’t want to use payday loan places to cash their paycheck and do business.
Additionally, prepaid cards can be a good training tool for teens - without putting your own credit at risk - teaching them about the importance of budgeting and finances since you must now co-sign for anyone under 21 who gets a credit card.
I know you prefer banks, but do you think there are positives associated with prepaid cards?
I do think there are positive aspects associated with prepaid cards. First, I like the consumer protections offered by some prepaid cards. For example, with the new REACH card, unauthorized transactions are protected by Visa’s zero liability charges. Therefore, if someone makes a fraudulent purchase, you would not be responsible for the charges. Additionally, some prepaid cards, like the REACH card, offer various levels of protections if a card is lost of stolen. For example, if you report a lost or stolen card within two business days, the customer’s liability is no more than $50. If the card isn’t reported within two days, the liability is limited to $500. However, if cardholders don’t notify the issuer about unauthorized charges within 60 days, they could be responsible for those charges. Beware. Not all prepaid cards offer such protections. By contrast, prepaid cards may only have voluntary protections in place that could be revised or rescinded at any time for any reason. So make sure you understand the protections that your card provides.
Another benefit is that prepaid cards allow you to spend only what you have on the card, saving you money on expensive bank overdraft fees.
Some cards, like the REACH card, also allow you to build credit, which is important when it comes to buying a home or a new car. PayFit Credit Builder, a built-in feature offered on a number of prepaid cards, allows you to build credit history every time you pay your bills, utilities and rent with a prepaid card. This is a positive for those individuals looking to build credit without having a credit card or other debt.
What should you look out for?
The point here is that all prepaid cards are not alike. Therefore, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of comparison shopping and reading the fine print if you are thinking to use a prepaid card.
It is important that you understand the terms, conditions and fees before signing up with a prepaid card. For example, if you are experiencing trouble with your prepaid card, you may not think twice to call up customer service to discuss the issue. However, some prepaid cards charge for telephone customer service assistance (There is a card out there that charges $2.99 each time you call to speak with a customer service person). Additionally, many prepaid cards charge an ATM fee each time you take out cash. In addition to the card ATM fee, the bank that owns the ATM may charge an additional fee if you are not a customer of that bank. All these fees can quickly add up, eating away at your hard earned money.
That said, there are more consumer-friendly cards on the market today with simple fee structures, making it easy to know how much you are really paying for the card. For instance, the REACH card offers a simple fee structure:
• $9.95 activation fee
• $8.95 monthly fee
• $2.50 ATM Fee
The REACH card does not charge inactivity, customer service fees or other fees previously mentioned that some prepaid cards charge.
Also, like the REACH card, make sure the prepaid card you are considering offers FDIC protection to their cardholders. If not, you will lose your money if the bank issuing the card goes under. Prepaid card funds and cardholders qualify for FDIC coverage when the money is maintained in account(s) that meet the “pass through” requirements of the FDIC. Again, make sure you read the prepaid card terms and conditions and call the issuing bank to find out if the card offers its cardholders FDIC protection.
Any other words of caution?
I think individuals need to be ever more deliberate and disciplined about spending when using prepaid cards. It is critical that you stick to a budget when using your card so that you are not spending irresponsibly. For example, if you know your paycheck needs to cover transportation, groceries and utilities, it is important to only use your card for those items to avoid overspending. When using plastic instead of cash, it is easy to spend more than you intended. In fact, according to a Dun and Bradsheet study, the average person spends 12 to 18 percent more when they use plastic over cash. Lastly, beware of cash back options at the register. In order to take advantage of this feature, you have to purchase something from the store, which, again, can result in purchasing items you don’t need.
Are there resources to help listeners compare prepaid cards?
Yes, there are resources out there to help you compare prepaid cards. CreditCards.com and BankRate.com allows you to compare different prepaid cards on the market so that you can determine which card is best for you. Another website CreditCardGuide.com also features a tool to help you compare different prepaid cards.
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Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm.
That said, there are more consumer-friendly cards on the market today with simple fee structures, making it easy to know how much you are really paying for the card. For instance, the REACH card offers a simple fee structure:
• $9.95 activation fee
• $8.95 monthly fee
• $2.50 ATM Fee
The REACH card does not charge inactivity, customer service fees or other fees previously mentioned that some prepaid cards charge.
Also, like the REACH card, make sure the prepaid card you are considering offers FDIC protection to their cardholders. If not, you will lose your money if the bank issuing the card goes under. Prepaid card funds and cardholders qualify for FDIC coverage when the money is maintained in account(s) that meet the “pass through” requirements of the FDIC. Again, make sure you read the prepaid card terms and conditions and call the issuing bank to find out if the card offers its cardholders FDIC protection.
Any other words of caution?
I think individuals need to be ever more deliberate and disciplined about spending when using prepaid cards. It is critical that you stick to a budget when using your card so that you are not spending irresponsibly. For example, if you know your paycheck needs to cover transportation, groceries and utilities, it is important to only use your card for those items to avoid overspending. When using plastic instead of cash, it is easy to spend more than you intended. In fact, according to a Dun and Bradsheet study, the average person spends 12 to 18 percent more when they use plastic over cash. Lastly, beware of cash back options at the register. In order to take advantage of this feature, you have to purchase something from the store, which, again, can result in purchasing items you don’t need.
Are there resources to help listeners compare prepaid cards?
Yes, there are resources out there to help you compare prepaid cards. CreditCards.com and BankRate.com allows you to compare different prepaid cards on the market so that you can determine which card is best for you. Another website CreditCardGuide.com also features a tool to help you compare different prepaid cards.
---
Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm.
2011 BET Honors Awards
It is time for the BET Honors Award show. BET reports that Gabrielle Union will be hosting the 2011 award show. BET Honors Award show will tape at the historic Warner Theater in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The awards show is set to premiere on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 9:00 pm.
BET will be honoring the following honorees for the following honors:
BET will be honoring the following honorees for the following honors:
- Cicely Tyson will receive the Theatrical Arts Award
- Jamie Foxx will receive the Entertainer Award
- Herbie Hancock will receive the Musical Arts Award
- Iman will receive the Service Award
- Lonnie Bunch will receive the Education Award
- Linda Johnson will receive the Media Award
Monday, January 10, 2011
"Struggles and Redemption" by Teresa Baker
I’ve struggled with who I am many a day,
I’ve pondered my responsibilities and the debt I must repay.
I’ve walked the streets of a selfish land,
I’ve listened to lies told by man.
The pain resonates through my aging bones,
I’ve belted out anguish through my ancestral moans.
I’ve seen pictures of their faces, a smile I tried to scope.
But face after face and no glimmer of hope.
Their eyes were weary, their souls beaten down,
They saw our great country as they slaved in each town.
No longer a part of a family, no longer the same name,
They became possessions of men, who carried no guilt or shame.
Now their stories are told in rewritten tales,
By self proclaimed historians, who profit by sales.
My ancestor’s struggles were far worse than told,
To be shackled and whipped and left out in the cold.
To never know freedom to never know love,
To pray to God who looked down from above.
To bare witness to death day after day,
To work from sun up to sun down without any pay.
Their lives are worth remembering, their struggles pale to none,
Their history well invested, may our freedoms never be tested.
I’ve pondered my responsibilities and the debt I must repay.
I’ve walked the streets of a selfish land,
I’ve listened to lies told by man.
The pain resonates through my aging bones,
I’ve belted out anguish through my ancestral moans.
I’ve seen pictures of their faces, a smile I tried to scope.
But face after face and no glimmer of hope.
Their eyes were weary, their souls beaten down,
They saw our great country as they slaved in each town.
No longer a part of a family, no longer the same name,
They became possessions of men, who carried no guilt or shame.
Now their stories are told in rewritten tales,
By self proclaimed historians, who profit by sales.
My ancestor’s struggles were far worse than told,
To be shackled and whipped and left out in the cold.
To never know freedom to never know love,
To pray to God who looked down from above.
To bare witness to death day after day,
To work from sun up to sun down without any pay.
Their lives are worth remembering, their struggles pale to none,
Their history well invested, may our freedoms never be tested.
BFT Discussion: Are You Living Within Your Means?
One of the things that boggles me is the fact that many black folks live outside of their means. We try so hard to show people that we are living well. Many of us have to wear designer clothes. We want the biggest house and the nicest cars. Many of these items are not affordable. I will include myself in this mix. So I am looking to live better. That is living within my means. I will not let anyone else dictate to me who and what I am. They will not dictate to me that I have to have certain things to be "successful". When it is my time to obtain the items I desire, then I will obtain them as long as I can afford them. So my question is, are you living within your means? If so, give some tips on what a person can do to make your financial situation better?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Thoughts on Oprah Winfrey's New TV Network Which Launched on 1/1/11????
I have had the opportunity to watch a little bit of Oprah Winfrey's new cable network called OWN. I am really enjoyed the series "Oprah Presents Master Class". I love to learn about other people and what it took for them to get to the point they are at this moment. Call it noisy, but I call it being inquisitive. I am also looking for to the Gayle King Show. I am not familiar with her radio show but I hope it proves to be an interesting show. What are your thoughts of OWN?
Straight Talk, No Chaser by Steve Harvey is the #1 Best Seller on the Black Expression Top 100 List
In the #1 New York Times bestseller Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve Harvey gave millions of women insight into how men really think. Now he zeros in on what motivates men and provides tips for women to use that knowledge to get more of what they need out of their relationships.Drawing on a lifetime of experience, the comedian and happily married husband offers wisdom on a wealth of topics relevant to both sexes, like:
• How to Get the Truth Out of Your Man, with a 3-tier, CIA style of questioning that will leave him no choice but to deliver the truth.
• Dating Tips Decade-by-Decade, whether you’re just starting to date seriously, feeling the tick of the biological clock or reentering the dating field.
• How to Minimize Nagging and Maximize Harmony at Home, showing how to talk to your man in a way that moves him to action and keeps the peace.
Whether it’s more help around the house, more of the right kind of attention in the bedroom, more money in the joint bank account, or more truth when it comes to the hard questions, Harvey proves once again that he is the king of relationships with his always wise, often funny, and incredibly insightful perceptions and suggestions.
Start Teaching Your Kids About Goals
By Kim Crouchhttp://mothertoson.blogspot.com/
Happy New Year! I can’t say this enough. Although I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I do love the New Year because for a lot of people it gives them renewed focus, energy and an opportunity to start again.
As such, every year on New Year’s night, in my household we have a family tradition were my husband and I along with our kids sit around the dinner table and discuss what one thing they want to accomplish in the New Year.
We use this dinner night as an opportunity to reflect on how we did the previous year, and we discuss with them the importance of having written goals and an action plan with a timeline.
I think all parents should consider doing the same with their kids. The truth is the majority of people don’t have goals and of those that do even fewer have written them down. Studies show, however, that people who have written goals are likely to achieve their goals than those who don’t.
So if you haven’t done so already, sit down with your kids and do the following:
1. Have them set 1 goal they want to accomplish in 2011. It could be related to school, a personal goal or even sports. Then display it somewhere everyone in the family can see it. We usually put ours on the refrigerator.
2. Have them create a Vision Board. This is really fun for kids and a great activity you can do with your kids. I usually get some poster boards and put lots of old magazines on the table. My kids love doing this and it’s always fun to see what their vision boards look like. My oldest son always has something with sports. It also gives you some idea what your kids like.
3. Create accountability. Periodically throughout the year, ask them how they are progressing on the goal. It provides a great opportunity to do a status check with them throughout the year to talk about the process of setting and achieving goals.
What do you think? Are their things you do in your household to get your kids prepared for success in the New Year?
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