Managing a reasonable work-life balance appears easier for Caroline Brown than it does for most people. The reason may be because she immensely enjoys her professional career and gains equal fulfillment through her volunteer activities. ... read more »

Your feelings toward money can influence how you spend it. ... read more »

Make sure you’re still saving enough as your situation changes. ... read more »

Property tax relief is available for homeowners impacted by current and recent fires, as well as by flooding, earthquakes, and other calamities. In many cases, the damaged property can be reappraised in its current condition, with some taxes refunded to the property owner. Once rebuilt, the property's pre‑damaged value will be restored. ... read more »

When likely voters across the country were recently asked their opinions about student loan borrowing, 82% agreed that the still-growing $1.5 trillion debt is a national crisis. Even when partisan affiliations were included, the solid concern for this unsustainable financial burden held strong: 74% of Republicans, 80% of independents, and 90% of Democrats. ... read more »

Recent efforts by the Trump administration to undermine the federal Title X family planning program could significantly impede access to essential preventive health services for low-income patients across the state of California and throughout the country. ... read more »

According to the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) wealth building usually begins with that first investment in owning your own home. Whether you purchase a first-time “starter” home or inherit a property or residence, you start down the road to building wealth. But something has changed in the Black community. The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest statistics indicate that the Black homeownership rate has dropped once again. ... read more »

Anyone who struggles with the rising costs of living knows all too well how hard it is to try stretching dollars when there’s more month than money in the household. Predatory lending, like payday and car-title loans, worsen financial stress with triple-digit interest rates that deepen the debt owed with each renewal.    ... read more »

The California State Auditor announced that nearly 21,000 Californians applied to serve on the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, of which more than 17,600 are tentatively eligible. The initial application period for the 14 seats closed on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. ... read more »

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) reported revenue numbers today for cannabis sales for the 2nd quarter of 2019. As of August 16, 2019, California’s cannabis excise tax generated $74.2 million in revenue reported on the 2nd quarter 2019 returns due by July 31, 2019, and the cultivation tax generated $22.6 million. ... read more »

On June 22, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the outcome of a settlement with Equifax, one of the three major credit monitoring firms in the United States. ... read more »

Bank of America has named 20-year finance industry leader Lanän Clark as market executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s Orange County Inland Empire market, which includes offices in Brea, Indian Wells, Ontario, Riverside and Temecula.  She is responsible for a team of 115 financial advisors delivering wealth management solutions for clients at every stage of their lives, as well as building Merrill’s presence in the market.  Her team manages a $16 billion portfolio for individuals and families, corporate and institutional clients. ... read more »

It has been nearly two years since Equifax announced that a historically massive data breach left the personal information over 147 million people (almost half of all Americans) vulnerable to theft. The consumer credit reporting giant agreed last month to a $700 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 states and territories, $425 million of which has been set aside to compensate victims of the breach. ... read more »

The Earned Income Tax Credit was implemented as a way to offset the impact of Social Security taxes on low to moderate taxpayers and to provide them with an incentive to work. The credit can be worth up to $6,431 for 2018 and up to $6,577 in 2019 for families with three or more qualifying children. For taxpayers with two qualifying children, the maximum credit this year is $5,828. The maximum credit for one qualifying child is $3,526. ... read more »

Since its creation, the 14-member commission which was created by the State Auditor, has been responsible for drawing district lines for the State Senate, Assembly, and State Board of Equalization in hopes of creating new opportunities and change in California. ... read more »