January 28, 2022 marked my one year anniversary of paying off my student loans . Reflecting back on choosing to pay off my student loans leaves me with several take a ways that I want to share with you! In September 2020 I decided to become debt free by utilizing the debt snowball method to pay off all my debt. Before this I had struggled to save and really understand basic financial principles. As a first-generation college student, I received a scholarship to attend undergrad for free, but the scholarship did not cover summers. During the summers I took out student loans to cover costs without paying interest rates or how much I was taking out. By the end of undergrad I had amassed a little under $17K. Fast forward to graduate school I received another scholarship that covered my education. At the time I was a teacher in a new very expensive city and I had missed the cutoff to have my paycheck last me throughout the summer. So, I decided to take out a loan for two summers to keep
(This
a photo of me clutching my wallet with a surprised look used as a thumbnail for my YouTube video
on Stimulus or Scam?)
It’s stimulus season again and that means the scammers
are out in full force and they want YOU! This time around, individuals who were
not eligible to receive stimulus checks previously like people with disabilities
who were dependents can and this makes them a target. Typically, scammers look
for people who are easy to manipulate like the elderly, college students, and
the disability community. Last time I checked your stimulus did not include
compensation for any scams so be on the lookout for their many tricks. While
these individuals are becoming even more savvier there are a few things that often give
their lies away.
Remember, if something is too good to be true than it
is so go with your gut. This may sound like “Hey wanna make $100 on CashApp by
giving me $10?” It’s a total scam guys don’t fall for it! Around this time you’ve
probably noticed that the “opportunities” involving “building your own team of
individuals to fast forward into financial freedom” are back on the prowl.
These are multilevel marketing schemes and it’s NOT an opportunity. You
basically do all the work and someone else gets the reward by you being on their
“team”. My all time favorite is “The Sob Story” you know the person who has a
terrible event happen where they need let’s say $1400 to help them out? I don’t
think so I’d recommend they call Jesus NOT you!
There are many ways to avoid these frauds by keeping
good company or individuals who are not obsessed with fast money. The people
who you consider friends and family should have good judgement and commons
sense. Also, feel free to tell someone you’re not interested or pretend you’re
getting a phone call. There is nothing wrong with making up something to avoid
someone who is wasting your time so don’t feel bad! Check out the video below
for information on how to avoid being scammed.
SUBSCRIBE: Stimulus
or Scam ?
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