Michelle Jackson

It's almost the end of the month and money is tight. Then you're hit with a new unplanned expense—maybe a car repair, an unexpected overdraft or medical expense that throws your carefully planned budget out of whack. You've seen ads for payday loans and think that might be just what you need to get by for the next week or so.
Using a payday loan to get you to your next paycheck is a short-term financial decision that may have long-term negative results, ranging from paying an excessive amount...

Here’s what one writer learned about this kind of investing, and a few basics to consider.

I used to wonder if it was possible to invest in the stock market and avoid supporting companies that had business models that I didn’t respect. I discovered that I wasn’t the first person out there concerned about investing based on my values when I stumbled upon the environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing space.

You may be more familiar with this concept than you realize. Here are a few b...

Our Take
CoinZoom is a cryptocurrency exchange with a range of financial products and 40 available cryptocurrencies. For those looking for several products and features in one platform, CoinZoom could be a good fit.
Pros Explained
Wide range of financial products: CoinZoom offers a comprehensive range of financial products ranging from the CoinZoom Visa; CoinZoom Earn; and Zoom Me, which lets users transfer funds to friends and family.
Ability to earn crypto: Users with the CoinZoom Visa can ...

Our Take
BlockFi is for the intermediate to the advanced crypto trader looking for a one-stop shop for their cryptocurrency needs. It not only offers the ability to buy, sell, and trade crypto, but it also offers several products for crypto enthusiasts.
Pros Explained
Holistic platform: BlockFi provides users a centralized hub for the different financial services they would like to use ranging from taking out a loan, holding their cryptocurrency, or managing credit card expenditures using the...

Our Take
Uphold is a cryptocurrency platform offering users the ability to buy, sell, and trade multiple assets. Designed for both novice and more advanced cryptocurrency investors, Uphold gives users access to a suite of financial products on a fairly straightforward and easy-to-use platform.
Pros Explained
Ability to buy and trade across asset classes: Users can purchase cryptocurrency, U.S. equities, and precious metals on Uphold.
Transparent fee structure: Uphold offers a transparent fee ...

Images from Michigan’s historic Idlewild resort are striking for their depictions of Black people vacationing and having a good time during a period in history where sociopolitical conditions made it nearly impossible.
Families playfully making sandcastles together; young boys diving off wooden piers into the lake, and couples sitting outside of quaint wooden cabins; beauty pageant contestants strutting down a grassy runway; vacationers horseback riding and boating; all seemingly enjoying the...

If you're needing help keeping your finances organized, bank account alerts are a simple and low-tech way to keep track of transactions in your bank account.

While Day 1 CPT programs may seem attractive, it's important to fully understand the implications enrolling in one may have on your legal and immigration status.
For many international students, the opportunity to work within the United States is part of what attracted them to international study. For F-1 visa holders, it’s possible to become eligible to work on a limited basis within the United States. These are through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT)...

Requesting an immigration benefit can take a long time — here’s one way to change that.
Applying for an immigration benefit from the United States can be an intimidating process. There are so many aspects to it that are out of your control. One of the most challenging aspects to making this request is factoring in the amount of time it will take to adjudicate, or process, that request.
While the United States Customs and Immigration Service does provide general guidance for how long it may ta...

Why the L-2 visa may be the right visa for you and your family — and how to navigate the application process.
There are a number of perks available to those working for a multinational corporation. These could include being paid a great salary, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to work in the United States.
Many professionals looking to work in the US may already be familiar with the H-1B visa, E-2 visa for international business investment in the US, the Conditional Permanent Residen...

You’ve made the decision to change your status and aim for that handy Green Card. But how exactly do you navigate the process? We’ve got you covered.
You’ve worked in the United States for a few years and have now decided to begin the process to apply for a Green Card. Congrats!
For H-1B visa holders, the Adjustment of Status process has several aspects that the applicant should consider. Your successful request may be impacted by your country of origin, the type of work that you do, and is a...

So, your spouse has received a H-1B visa and your family will be making its way to the United States to work sometime soon — exciting times! And one of the most exciting aspects of going to the US on an H-1B visa is the potential opportunity for your spouse to secure an H-4 EAD and follow their professional interests while in the United States with you.
Fortunately, there is an option available for these individuals looking to work while in the United States — one that many people might not k...

So, your spouse has received a H-1B visa and your family will be making its way to the United States to work sometime soon — exciting times! And one of the most exciting aspects of going to the US on an H-1B visa is the potential opportunity for your spouse to secure an H-4 EAD and follow their professional interests while in the United States with you.
Fortunately, there is an option available for these individuals looking to work while in the United States — one that many people might not k...

When President Biden signed legislation this week making Juneteenth a national holiday, it marked the swift rise in recognition of the day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. After decades of delay, the movement gained momentum last summer during the protests following the murder of George Floyd, when U.S. corporations began honoring the day as part of their commitments on behalf of racial justice. Why should it matter for all Americans? “African Americans should not have to bear the...

There are two things that no one tells you before signing up for Amazon Prime.
The first is that you have to fight against the urge to buy everything each time you scroll through your favorite Amazon listings. The second is that it’s very easy to go broke buying must-have items on Amazon.This urge to spend was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that we all had to stay home for a large part of the year.
I’m in good company as it’s reported that there are over 126 million Prime su...