Unfortunately, personal finance is not a required subject in most high schools or colleges. This lack of basic financial education leaves many young adults clueless about how to manage their money, apply for credit, and how to get or stay out of debt. To help you get started, we’ll look at eight of the most important things to understand about money if you want to live a comfortable and prosperous life.
As a teen or young adult today, you’re tech-savvy when it comes to living and learning.
If you want to achieve success, you need to be money-savvy too. ‘Fintech’ (financial technology) apps can strengthen your money management skills and simplify your finances, allowing you to stay focused on personal, career, and life goals. SageVest Kids looked at some of the best financial apps for teens and young adults.
The yin and yang of emotions and logic are present in many decisions we make. We spy a sweater in red, our favorite color, and we must buy it. That perfume has a hint of vanilla and reminds us of Grandma’s cookies, warm from the oven and before we know it, the perfume is purchased.
Most Americans are pessimistic about how well off they’ll be financially when they reach retirement. A recent Gallup poll showed that only 48 percent of Americans expect they will have enough money in retirement. Those in their 50s were the least optimistic, with 42 percent in that age group saying they expect to live comfortably in retirement.
Americans are concerned about the odds they will enjoy a secure retirement, and those concerns flow across generational lines. Research by the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies reveals that 45 percent of Baby Boomers expect to experience a reduced standard of living in retirement. Meanwhile, 83 percent of Generation X workers anticipate they will have a harder time achieving financial security than their parents did, and only 18 percent of Millennials foresee a comfortable retirement.
Traditional wedding vows usually include the phrase "till death do us part,” but it’s not a part of the ritual most couples want to dwell on. Financial professionals, though, say ignoring the eventuality of death is unwise when it comes to a couple’s decisions about retirement and money. "The decisions you make today can affect your spouse’s financial situation after you pass away,” says Peter Bombara, CEO and founder of PCB Financial Advisor.
Calcasieu Parish employs over 5,000 people, all working toward one goal – to educate our children. And that figure doesn’t include charter and parochial schools! As we begin a new school year this month, we want to celebrate the profession of educators at large. They perform an incredibly vital role in our community and we appreciate them; all of them! This feature is but a small microcosm of the educational excellence our parish has to offer. There are hundreds of teachers and support personnel who are equally worthy of recognition. We wish we could tell all their stories! For now, we highlight these seven. And we hope all the educators, students, and parents have a wonderful school year!
The Calcasieu Parish School Board is excited to offer a pilot program, Educators Rising, next school year for high school students interested in the field of education. In its first year, this pilot program will be offered at both Barbe High School and Sulphur High School.
If you’re like many other high school seniors across the country, you might be busy sending out college applications and writing the requisite essays. While you’re filling out the forms, it’s important to be aware that there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding college applications and admittance. Consider these five myths and put them in your mental trash folder.
Retaining the services of a lawyer may not be something you think about every day, but there are times in everyone’s life when seeking legal counsel is advisable. In this special law section, you’ll find useful information on what the various types of lawyers specialize in and a breakdown of the top ten reasons to hire a lawyer. Our July First Person features Jennifer Jones, Cameron Parish District Attorney – she has a fascinating and inspiring life story. And if you’ve ever wondered what our elected officials do day-to-day, read A Day in the Life of a Louisiana State Senator, featuring Senator Ronnie Johns.
The first step is the hardest. That’s certainly true when it comes to investing money. Where, how, when, for how long, what if I lose the little I have? These are some of the questions floating around, making many of us want to shelve the idea and go back to sipping our café au laits.
As the sun comes up in Baton Rouge, Senator Ronnie Johns has already had his first cup of coffee, logged into the legislative website and reviewed the calendar for the day to see what bills will be heard on the Senate floor and in the various committees on which he serves. By 7:30 a.m., he leaves the small townhouse he calls home while working in Baton Rouge and arrives at the State Capitol to start a 12 – 15 hour day of work.
Getting that first job is a big accomplishment as it gives financial sustenance and the opportunity to make your mark in the working world. A lot of time and effort is put into getting the job, and the interview advice can be rampant. Advice runs the gamut of how to format your resume, to what suit to wear. This is all very helpful, but what happens when you actually get the job? Your first job is typically full of unchartered territory and can throw curve balls full of unexpected situations. These situations aren’t something your college courses prepare you for, but real life will.
Is there a young adult in your life; a recent graduate or a 20-something starting out on their own? Likely, you want to help them get off to a good start. What can you give a young person that would be useful and meaningful? Cash may seem too impersonal. Furniture or small kitchen appliances may not be their personal style.
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.
