Breaking Away from Poverty

Growing up in poverty can have a significant impact on an individual’s life chances and future opportunities. Children raised in poverty may have limited access to quality education, healthcare, and career opportunities, which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Due to financial constraints, families living in poverty may struggle to provide children with basic needs like nutritious food, adequate housing, and stable environments, which can negatively affect their physical and emotional development. Lack of exposure to positive role models, networks, and resources can also limit their ability to break out of poverty.

There are various ways to break away from poverty, some of which include:

  1. Education and training: Obtaining a good education and developing relevant skills and knowledge can help individuals secure better-paying jobs and improve their economic status.
  2. Access to healthcare: Poor health can limit an individual’s ability to work and earn a living. Access to quality healthcare can reduce medical costs and prevent illnesses from developing or becoming chronic.
  3. Financial stability: Building savings, reducing debt, and creating a budget can help individuals become financially stable and better equipped to handle unexpected expenses.
  4. Support services: Access to resources like affordable housing, food assistance, and child care can ease the burden of poverty and provide individuals with the necessary support to improve their situation.
  5. Networking: Building positive relationships with others is important for obtaining job opportunities, accessing resources, and gaining knowledge.

Please understand while education is important, there are many other ways to break the cycle of poverty without a bachelor’s degree.

One option is to pursue vocational training or certification programs in fields that are in high demand, such as healthcare, technology, or skilled trades. These programs can provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to secure well-paying jobs without requiring a four-year degree.

Another option is to start a small business or work for oneself as an entrepreneur. This can be done by identifying market needs, developing products or services to meet those needs, and building a customer base.

Networking is also important here – connecting with other professionals in the field and seeking out mentorship and resources can be key to success.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that breaking the cycle of poverty often requires a multifaceted approach. Building financial stability, accessing support services, and investing in personal development are all important components in creating a brighter future.

Budgeting for the Holidays

Easter Edition

We recently decided to take a last minute trip to visit family and friends out of town. While speaking with my mom, I explained to her that I was going to present my girls their Easter Basket when we come home because I didn’t want them to destroy my family members homes! What she said next really made me think. “If you were going to wait to give them their basket then you could have waited for the after Easter Sale”. However, I had already done this without even realizing it. I had purchased easter baskets and grass last year for this current Easter. After Christmas I purchased the toys that I would be placing in the baskets in January for 80-90% off. They only thing I had to purchase was candy and since I had the baskets and toys completed for 4 little girls one of the other mothers decided to purchase the candy for the baskets. I was able to present Easter Baskets to four little girls with a retail value of over $125 each for around $25 dollars each. Each Basket included scented markers, giant coloring books, two LOL surprise dolls, cups, candy, and even molding clay! Planning and budgeting goes hand in hand. Knowing how to budget and making sure you are never caught “last minute” shopping/planning you are sure to met your budgeting goals and needs daily/weekly monthly and yearly! -Budgeting Cents

Student Loan Forgiveness

Back in 2008, when I first started college one of the things that drew me to wanting to become an educator besides the love of children and learning, was that there were student loan forgiveness options. I mean lets be honest most people are not becoming teachers for the income. However, something that I did not know was that there is not only federal forgiveness but also state forgiveness programs for teachers as well as public service student loan forgiveness options.

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a loan forgiveness program for public service workers. These workers include: Emergency Management, Government (Excluding Congress Members), Military, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Public Health which includes Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, Early Childhood education including Head Start and Childcare workers. Although this is just a overview of those who qualify you can check with your loan provider to see if your specific job qualifies.

The requirements for PSLF besides an eligible employer is that you must be employed full-time, at least 30 hours per week. However, part-time positions also qualify if your hours add up to 30 hours per week. The borrower must make 120 qualifying payments towards the direct loan while simultaneously working for the qualifying employer. Each year of qualifying you can submit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Application for Forgiveness (studentaid.gov) form.

The best part about the PSLF is that if you are also an educator you can stack it with the teacher student loan forgiveness if you qualify for it also! The teacher loan forgiveness program is a federal program for educators that work in low income schools, allowing for forgiveness of up to $17,500 in student loans. To qualify for this loan forgiveness program you must have been employed full-time as a teacher for at least five consecutive years. Work at an elementary or secondary school or agency that serves low income students and have federal direct student loans that are not in default. Teacher Loan Forgiveness Forbearance Request (PDF) (studentaid.gov)

-Budgeting Cents

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