This isn't a fresh idea about black folks and their "lavish" or conspicuous spending habits. The fact is, black America's spending habits is simply a reflection of America in general. Americans eat too much, spend too much, etc. The growing theme here is Americans = too much. True, while while black folk definitely love the pretty, shiny things, the cultural idea here is to show your best, be the best and stand out for being unique. How you achieve it by your own standards is called individuality. On the street it's called flossing.
I volunteer with kids in the foster care system and I wish they had more resources and role models to validate this point of view. Too often they focus on the wrong things (yes, I've worked with kids who live in the 'hood and get subsidized lunches, yet carry Blackberries/authentic brand-name --Louis Vuitton, Gucci --gear.) They don't realize these "things" are doing little for their long-term self-esteem and ability to rise above their situations.
The bidding sites are really worthless. They drive down prices and your competing against people in other countries where the average wage due to currency differences is a fraction of what the average wage is in the US. Your better off putting the time into sites and networking that cater more towards professionals trying to cultivate a career rather than lowest bidder ones.
While I agree with all of your comments, I think we must remember that there are definitely African-Americans, who are not conspicuous spenders because they are not as interested in what other people think about 'their social status'. They tend to spend their money on long-term investments including Real Estate and Education. We should look more to them to be role models.
Okay, what is this? Tree huggers commenting on a tree hugger's blog? Look, I don't know how you people live, but I guess you're used to the "what a wierdo!" looks on people's faces when you exit the stall after making splashing noises, butt-perfuming the stall and leaving a brown paste on the seats so that the next guy can puke in the bowl. Now why should he flush too? It's just waste, somebody else will ultimately take a crap in it too. The next thing you'll be saying is to flush only when the contents of the bowl might spill out of the bowl if it is crapped in unflushed. Come on, courtesy flushes are cool. Stop hugging those trees, tree huggers!
Do you really honestly believe they care that you left Cap One? If you threaten to close your account and they dont offer you anything, it means your not a good enough customer to keep. So First off, you only pay interest if you dont pay your bills in full, so dont carry a balance, secondly, you initially signed up for the card at that rate so you can only blame yourself, as well cap one is a business, and they are there to make money, its very simple, the people that work there arent as stupid as you all would like to believe, and almost all credit card companies are the same. The reason everyone's rates are so high is because everyones neighbours and sons and friends and so forth keep defaulting on their cards which means someone is going to foot the bill and its not going to the company, so blame the next person you see that says they cant afford to pay their bills, its their fault. Stop complaining and read the fine print... Yes the stuff you dont read, usually when the writing is small it means its probably important... so ignorant.
I am currently building a portfolio even though I haven't got any clients yet. I'm doing this by working on some personal projects to showcase. So that could be one way for new freelancers to build a portfolio. Just develop some domains and include them in your portfolio.
how is it possible for a grant money to be used for a start up business, when you hear that they dont do that and who and where did you go to help with this grant b/c their are alot of scam out there abt free grant money
I'm so glad you wrote this article. I for one, am not a freelancer but I will be doing it soon once I get my business going on the side. I actually work for a social outsourcing site, called VOIS.com(Virtual Outsourcing Is Social) as moderator or catalyst and boy, I'll tell ya, I get all kinds of opinions on how well or how terrible outsourcing is for them. The truth is that, that most of the members on such sites are sellers and a majority really are from india, not that it's a bad thing, but they will do the work for the cheapest price. I have also received messages from Buyers on the site that will not deal with anyone out of the nation becuase they feel uncomfortable conducting business with the seller. It's a mix! Vois.com is actually free, and does not have any walls or boundaries.
With young kids, I'm not comfortable with toxic sprays and such in the yard, but we have to keep the bugs at bay to stay safe (lyme disease, west nile, etc). We bought and used a garlic spray last year to spray on the yard to combat the mosquitos and ticks, and I really think it helped. And it's totally safe for the kids! :-)
Nope. If you need cash back, you need to use it as Debit. Aside from that you should follow the policy of always using your card as Credit so that you are protected and can reap any benefits your bank may be offering for doing so.
god bless your for having a go-getter attitude, but if you're going to try to attract professional clients with this column, at least get your grammar and usage correct! Maybe a friend could proof-read your work...
I definitely tend to be smug about certain aspects of the frugal lifestyle. Mine is buying used cars, I tend to feel superior to anyone who buys a new car on credit and I try to watch it. I never thought of using the smugness to avoid lapses in frugality. Too funny!
I think it has to do with family. In all communities there are those who save and those who spend. I found out that one of my best friends, whom I thought was one of the richest people I knew because of all the stuff he had, was one of the poorest. What I saw at his house represented all the money he had. Nothing in the bank. All show. He continually spent all he had. Same with his whole family. We learn from those around us, no matter of race.
just got into a small accident today beween my mini and a gentleman driving a benz, left paint scuffs on both cars and wide-but-shallow dents behind my passenger door. trying the hair dryer and liquid CO2 method some time in the next week or two. i will remember to report my results here when i'm done.
I've been running an online stationery and graphic business for the past 3 years from my home office. I have two children and love the idea of working like this long after they are full time students. But finding clients isn't always easy... I'm hoping to create a constant stream of design work to reach a full time income, looking forward to your advice in part 2!
This article has 3 parts so far, loaded and ready to go over the next couple of days. I have some other freelance related article ideas that I think I will work on shortly. In the meantime, keep an eye on Tisha Tolar's blog here at Wisebread - I heard she is thinking about running a series about marketing a freelance/small business (on a budget) which should help you find clients as well.
One question I have about dental billing would be nice to know for sure. I would guess that dental billing probably runs into the same issues that "medical" billing does. I might be wrong, but I'm wondering if the "summary bill" hospitals give, is the same thing your insurance company get's when you are getting stuck with the difference.
A very informative article on billing will open your eyes to the tactics of hospitals and medical providers. I do not doubt dental clinics and dentists can also participate in this. Be informed and know your rights.
Very few people in California are receiving $475 per week.
That is for the very top wage earners who lose their jobs.
I made $30,000 a year and when I lost my job my benefits were 256 per week! I have two kids and rent at 1500....explain to me how this is "vacation" money?! I can not get by period!
Since Visa will basicly waranty purchases I will use the credit option on higher ticket and non consumable items where a waranty may apply. The murchant pays 2% to 5% on each credit transaction which eventually will be passed on to the consumer so for food, gas and non service purchases I will continue to use debit. Thanks KK
Thanks so much for the topic - I was beginning to think there weren't any freelancers left! Even in this economy it's hard to find people who know what they're talking about when it comes to running their own business.
I'm still working for "the man" but I'd like to have my own graphic design/web design business eventually. This article says things I think I already knew but I needed to hear them again to kick-start myself into action!
This isn't a fresh idea about black folks and their "lavish" or conspicuous spending habits. The fact is, black America's spending habits is simply a reflection of America in general. Americans eat too much, spend too much, etc. The growing theme here is Americans = too much. True, while while black folk definitely love the pretty, shiny things, the cultural idea here is to show your best, be the best and stand out for being unique. How you achieve it by your own standards is called individuality. On the street it's called flossing.
I volunteer with kids in the foster care system and I wish they had more resources and role models to validate this point of view. Too often they focus on the wrong things (yes, I've worked with kids who live in the 'hood and get subsidized lunches, yet carry Blackberries/authentic brand-name --Louis Vuitton, Gucci --gear.) They don't realize these "things" are doing little for their long-term self-esteem and ability to rise above their situations.
The bidding sites are really worthless. They drive down prices and your competing against people in other countries where the average wage due to currency differences is a fraction of what the average wage is in the US. Your better off putting the time into sites and networking that cater more towards professionals trying to cultivate a career rather than lowest bidder ones.
Two of my favorite things: laziness and environmentally conscious people! Yayness!
While I agree with all of your comments, I think we must remember that there are definitely African-Americans, who are not conspicuous spenders because they are not as interested in what other people think about 'their social status'. They tend to spend their money on long-term investments including Real Estate and Education. We should look more to them to be role models.
Okay, what is this? Tree huggers commenting on a tree hugger's blog? Look, I don't know how you people live, but I guess you're used to the "what a wierdo!" looks on people's faces when you exit the stall after making splashing noises, butt-perfuming the stall and leaving a brown paste on the seats so that the next guy can puke in the bowl. Now why should he flush too? It's just waste, somebody else will ultimately take a crap in it too. The next thing you'll be saying is to flush only when the contents of the bowl might spill out of the bowl if it is crapped in unflushed. Come on, courtesy flushes are cool. Stop hugging those trees, tree huggers!
Do you really honestly believe they care that you left Cap One? If you threaten to close your account and they dont offer you anything, it means your not a good enough customer to keep. So First off, you only pay interest if you dont pay your bills in full, so dont carry a balance, secondly, you initially signed up for the card at that rate so you can only blame yourself, as well cap one is a business, and they are there to make money, its very simple, the people that work there arent as stupid as you all would like to believe, and almost all credit card companies are the same. The reason everyone's rates are so high is because everyones neighbours and sons and friends and so forth keep defaulting on their cards which means someone is going to foot the bill and its not going to the company, so blame the next person you see that says they cant afford to pay their bills, its their fault. Stop complaining and read the fine print... Yes the stuff you dont read, usually when the writing is small it means its probably important... so ignorant.
Thanks for the article.
I am currently building a portfolio even though I haven't got any clients yet. I'm doing this by working on some personal projects to showcase. So that could be one way for new freelancers to build a portfolio. Just develop some domains and include them in your portfolio.
how is it possible for a grant money to be used for a start up business, when you hear that they dont do that and who and where did you go to help with this grant b/c their are alot of scam out there abt free grant money
I'm so glad you wrote this article. I for one, am not a freelancer but I will be doing it soon once I get my business going on the side. I actually work for a social outsourcing site, called VOIS.com(Virtual Outsourcing Is Social) as moderator or catalyst and boy, I'll tell ya, I get all kinds of opinions on how well or how terrible outsourcing is for them. The truth is that, that most of the members on such sites are sellers and a majority really are from india, not that it's a bad thing, but they will do the work for the cheapest price. I have also received messages from Buyers on the site that will not deal with anyone out of the nation becuase they feel uncomfortable conducting business with the seller. It's a mix! Vois.com is actually free, and does not have any walls or boundaries.
With young kids, I'm not comfortable with toxic sprays and such in the yard, but we have to keep the bugs at bay to stay safe (lyme disease, west nile, etc). We bought and used a garlic spray last year to spray on the yard to combat the mosquitos and ticks, and I really think it helped. And it's totally safe for the kids! :-)
Nope. If you need cash back, you need to use it as Debit. Aside from that you should follow the policy of always using your card as Credit so that you are protected and can reap any benefits your bank may be offering for doing so.
god bless your for having a go-getter attitude, but if you're going to try to attract professional clients with this column, at least get your grammar and usage correct! Maybe a friend could proof-read your work...
I definitely tend to be smug about certain aspects of the frugal lifestyle. Mine is buying used cars, I tend to feel superior to anyone who buys a new car on credit and I try to watch it. I never thought of using the smugness to avoid lapses in frugality. Too funny!
I think it has to do with family. In all communities there are those who save and those who spend. I found out that one of my best friends, whom I thought was one of the richest people I knew because of all the stuff he had, was one of the poorest. What I saw at his house represented all the money he had. Nothing in the bank. All show. He continually spent all he had. Same with his whole family. We learn from those around us, no matter of race.
The more we get, the more we want. The more we want, the less we have.
just got into a small accident today beween my mini and a gentleman driving a benz, left paint scuffs on both cars and wide-but-shallow dents behind my passenger door. trying the hair dryer and liquid CO2 method some time in the next week or two. i will remember to report my results here when i'm done.
I've been running an online stationery and graphic business for the past 3 years from my home office. I have two children and love the idea of working like this long after they are full time students. But finding clients isn't always easy... I'm hoping to create a constant stream of design work to reach a full time income, looking forward to your advice in part 2!
Hi Rich,
This article has 3 parts so far, loaded and ready to go over the next couple of days. I have some other freelance related article ideas that I think I will work on shortly. In the meantime, keep an eye on Tisha Tolar's blog here at Wisebread - I heard she is thinking about running a series about marketing a freelance/small business (on a budget) which should help you find clients as well.
Good luck with the business!
Debbie
One question I have about dental billing would be nice to know for sure. I would guess that dental billing probably runs into the same issues that "medical" billing does. I might be wrong, but I'm wondering if the "summary bill" hospitals give, is the same thing your insurance company get's when you are getting stuck with the difference.
A very informative article on billing will open your eyes to the tactics of hospitals and medical providers. I do not doubt dental clinics and dentists can also participate in this. Be informed and know your rights.
http://www.consoladebt.com/Medicalbills.html
Very few people in California are receiving $475 per week.
That is for the very top wage earners who lose their jobs.
I made $30,000 a year and when I lost my job my benefits were 256 per week! I have two kids and rent at 1500....explain to me how this is "vacation" money?! I can not get by period!
Nice article. Currently I'm doing all of those things (I'm still building my portfolio which is why no URL).
Looking forward to part two. How many parts have you got planned out?
Since Visa will basicly waranty purchases I will use the credit option on higher ticket and non consumable items where a waranty may apply. The murchant pays 2% to 5% on each credit transaction which eventually will be passed on to the consumer so for food, gas and non service purchases I will continue to use debit. Thanks KK
Thanks so much for the topic - I was beginning to think there weren't any freelancers left! Even in this economy it's hard to find people who know what they're talking about when it comes to running their own business.
I'm still working for "the man" but I'd like to have my own graphic design/web design business eventually. This article says things I think I already knew but I needed to hear them again to kick-start myself into action!
Thanks again and I look forward to Part 2!
great giveaway. now, if we can educate my personal weedeater(my husband) that all things that border the lawn are not to be wacked!
thanks