What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kids hear this question all the time, and most of them quickly respond with at least a career or two. As we grow older, though, many of us become less certain about what we want to do with our lives. This is, in part, why college students switch majors and why people experience mid-career slumps.
Ah, the credit score – that little three-digit number that influences so much: interest rates, insurance prices and possibly where you live. There are many ways to improve or impair your credit score, but knowing the ins and outs of it can help you get (and keep) the score you want.
What would happen if you were hit with an unexpected medical bill, a layoff, or your adult son or daughter needed a quick loan to get out of a financial jam? According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2017, 40 percent of respondents said they wouldn't be able to cover a $400 emergency expense. Nearly 80 percent of American workers say they live paycheck to paycheck.
Women control more than 51 percent, or $14 trillion, of American personal wealth. They earn more college degrees. In the past three decades, their average income has soared over 65%.
Both traditional and Roth IRAs can be effective retirement savings tools, but eligibility limitations mean one or both may not be right for you. Here’s a guide to help you choose.
So, you’re a smart, imaginative, persuasive millennial and – contrary to the bad rap your generation usually gets – you’re willing to work REALLY hard. You’re just waiting for all those boomers and Xers to get the heck out of the way so you can have your turn at the brass ring.
No matter what your college major and desired career, jobs can be hard to come by. How do you break into an in-demand industry? According to entrepreneur Emily White, your dream career is within your reach. But if you want it, be ready to work for it. Internships can be a key step.
A wise person once observed: it is not how much money you make, but how much you keep that matters. We earn reward points on our credit cards, store coupons on our phones, and search for bargains to "save” money. Why then do we resist calling on professionals who offer significant assistance that helps preserve more of our hard-earned money?
Drive by any of Southwest Louisiana’s industrial plants and you’ll see enormous structures of steel and concrete. But what may not be so readily evident are the fingerprints of the company that designed and erected many parts of these plants.
When it comes to economic expansion, there’s one corner in the state of Louisiana that is defying the financial turmoil facing the rest of the country. This region is in the early stages of what is predicted to be the most prosperous era in Southwest Louisiana’s industrial history — and Cameron Parish is leading the way.
In full operation for two months, the Alliance for Positive Growth (APG) is gaining members from all sectors of the Southwest Louisiana business community at a rapid pace, growing from a founding group of eight members to over 50 since its launch meeting in mid-January.
Mayor Randy Roach, after 16 successful years at the helm of the City of Lake Charles, is about to pass the leadership baton. This election, specifically the mayoral election, is pivotal in order for our region to continue the positive growth and direction exemplified by Mayor Roach. Key to electing the most qualified candidate is voter turnout. And we want you, as the voters, to be well-informed so you can make a knowledgeable decision. Our Election Preview summarizes each candidate’s’ platform and qualifications. Every candidate in the running was asked to submit their information to us for inclusion.
Lake Charles Television, LLC recently announced that Lake Charles is now home to the first CBS Television Network affiliate in the market. Broadcasting began on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Viewers can watch "CBS Lake Charles” over the air on Channel 17, broadcasting in full 1080i High Definition, and soon to be available on DISH, DirecTV and cable provider Suddenlink. Previously, the fast-growing community of Lake Charles has been served by the outside markets of Lafayette and Beaumont.
One of the biggest winners in this industrial boom will be the region’s small business owners. George Swift, president and CEO, Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said the region’s estimated $115 billion in new projects will be a boon to small businesses throughout Southwest Louisiana, as the Lake Area’s population is expected to grow considerably in the years ahead.
Getting your finances in order is now only a tap away thanks to several new apps for smartphones.
Meet the Smith family. Both parents work, and they make good money. From the outside, life looks good—a new Tahoe, a big house, and private schools for the kids. But, in reality, the Smiths are barely scraping by. With the help of credit cards and car loans, they spend more money than they make, and they’re just one financial emergency away from being in serious trouble.
Then there’s the Williams family. One parent works, and makes decent money, while the other stays at home and takes care of the kids. The Williams family lives on a tight budget—and even though they still have a lot of student loan debt, they’ve cut the balance in half during the last two years. They have a small emergency fund saved and expect to be out of debt completely in two more years.
So what is the difference between the Smiths and the Williamses? Why is one family able to pay off thousands of dollars in debt on a tight budget, while another family barely gets by week after week? Why does one person succeed with money, while another person struggles?
Southwest Louisiana is home to numerous couples who both live and work together. Here, seven couples share their insight on how to succeed together, both personally and professionally.
You know the aphorism about death and taxes. Like making and breaking New Year’s Resolutions, tax prep tedium is inevitable and frustrating. The good folks at the IRS wait, watch, and want it all done by the dreaded April 15 deadline. Lessen anxiety by getting all the necessary documents organized as soon as possible.
The importance of women taking an active role in a couples financial planning represents more than just jockeying over who gets to control the checking account.
Ideally, people investing for retirement should feel confident their financial advisors give them unbiased advice and recommend what is best for them.
Think about how much debt your household owes. Chances are, it is not due to irresponsible spending or carefree habits. Instead it is likely that much of your debt was necessary to build credit, buy a house, or pay for medical expenses. Debt has become part of the American dream, and today the average American household owes over $130,000.
Buying or selling a home is a rare event for most people. It might happen once a decade or maybe not even that often. Despite the fact that most people rarely deal with real estate, some consider themselves "armchair experts”.
The Millennial generation includes those who were born between 1980 - 2000. Currently, they make up the majority of the workforce in the nation. While often labeled as entitled and lazy, this generation holds more college degrees than any other. Despite being well educated, many Millennials suffer financially due to college debt, skyrocketing rental prices, and stagnant wages. Even with these problems, Millennials manage to make the most of their financial situations by carefully monitoring and prioritizing their spending.
Looking to buy a new car? Maybe your expanding family wishes to upgrade to an SUV. Or you have decided to trade in your college clunker for a sleeker sportier model. Better still, you are in the market for an eco-friendlier car, perhaps switching to a hybrid or fully-electric vehicle.
No matter the reason, timing is important to get the best deal. Generally, it is financially smart to buy a new vehicle near the end of the year for a lower price.
Boss Day provides a great opportunity to show employers or supervisors appreciation for the fairness, patience, and dedication they show in the workplace. On Oct. 16, employees can let the boss know his or her efforts to keep the workplace a positive environment do not go unnoticed.
Have you ever felt as if there is too much going on? Not enough hours in the day? Can not seem to find the time between the kids, work, and other commitments? How do the most successful people manage to conquer the world and do it all with ease?
As the presidential elections heat up, so does political conversation.
The economic expansion in Southwest Louisiana is not limited to big business. The large industry projects and expansion is generating the need for a multitude of support services and products, typically provided by small business. This trickle down effect provides great opportunities for new businesses and growth for existing businesses, says Jeff Mancuso, Senior Vice President of Corporate Lending with Lakeside Bank.
Business owners in Southwest Louisiana are fortunate to be located near the SEED Center, a vital hub of economic development and resources for companies of all sizes. The acronym stands for Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development. There, businesses receive assistance from a variety of sources.
Do you dream of starting your own business? Every successful company started out as a small operation, rooted in a dream of transforming skills, talents and passions into a bona fide livelihood. Owning a small business can be tremendously satisfying. You can follow your passion and make your own decisions. But it can also be risky and a tremendous amount of hard work with long hours. Most entrepreneurs though will tell you the rewards of owning a business outweigh the hardships.
An excellent way to get started is to learn from the experiences of others who have been through the arduous process of building a thriving business. Read below the accounts of several Lake Charles businesspersons as they share the ups and downs, the trials and rewards of owning a business. Take their advice and decide if hanging your own shingle is right for you!
If you are looking for ways to improve job performance and increase career opportunities, then professional development may be the key to a brighter, more successful future. Professional development is the continuous process of improving work performance through education and training. It can be pursued through various avenues in and out of the workplace, and it needn’t be a headache. Here are five stress free ways to pursue professional development.
You are in a business meeting and someones phone starts ringing. You are in a restaurant and your date is looking at her phone all evening instead of talking to you. It is the middle of mass and the guy at the end of the pew is texting with his buddies. We have become a society connected to our cell phones, but at what cost? While certainly convenient, we have developed bad habits around the incessa
