Samantha's Broke

At the building you see everything. If you know the "building" you know what I'm talking about. Everyone is here because they are BROKE. Even those with college degrees venture to the building to see what "free shit" they can get; I am one of them (LOL). College degrees no longer have the same value they once did, but college exposes you to great things. On the campus of Florida State University, Baronessa Bonano and I met and developed The CaliAmi Partners' LLC. We are working hard and struggling, but we believe our time is coming soon. As we continue to transition from college, we realize how hard the world is and how mean the streets can be. You have to get it how you live, so to speak, so as the days continue to roll by, our journey toward publication is still at a stand still. We patiently wait for our query letters to come in, as we pray, eyes focused on a gleam of light that will direct us out of these deep HOLES!!! I know it sounds melodramatic, but this is how we feel...

I moved from Tallahassee with the belief that we would get our book published and I would find a job. Unfortunately, nothing happens as expected. The first unfortunate circumstanced occurred when a long-time family friend and mentor of mine unexpectantly passed away. It struck me like a heavy handed body shot to the kidney. I took it hard and was very sad. To exacerbate things, I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. I was big as a house and hse was the only person confident enough in me to give me a job. With her gone I found myself unemployed. Expectantly, I shifted my focus forward and was blessed by the birth of my beautiful baby girl, Princess Kennedy Kirsten, on July 2nd and my life changed forever. Now, more than ever, I had to learn to manage my time and minimize spending; incidentally, being in dire straits financially was not the only problem I faced, I was mentally broken. I was exhausted by the responsibility of becoming a new mother and truthfully I had become overwhelmed with other pressing matters, too numerous to name. Alas, it is a start of a New Year and with renewed energy I focus on positive things, one of which is our manuscript. With that being said...

I am officially tired of being broke.

"Dose of Reality" Volume.1 Issue.3

Ballin' on a budget is easier said than done because we all desire to spend our last dime to pleasure ourselves. However, this doesn't have to be the case. Do you believe that you can pamper yourself while maintaining fiscal respsonsibility? If you open your pantry and refrigerator you can find an assortment of helpful things. With a little knowledge and ingenuity you will find that certain foods have additional value beyond filling our stomachs. An example of this would be an at-home facial. At-home facials are convenient because they are relaxed and affordable since they are administered within the quaint confines of your home. After a simple steam bath, a facial would be the perfect dessert after a delectable meal. (Note: PLEASE DO NOT use anything you may be allergic to. If you don't/can't eat it, you SHOULD NOT put it on your face!)

You will need the following ingredient:

1 brown banana

1 tablespoon of honey

1/8 cup of milk

Most people don't like brown bananas but as a stress relieving treatment, a brown banana will do the trick. Mix one tablespoon of honey, 1/8 cup of milk, and one mashed banana to form a paste. Apply the paste to your face and neck. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, and then wash it off with warm water. Kazaam, a fresher face!

1 tablespoon of honey

4 medium-sized strawberries

Another fruity treat for your face can be obtained by mixing strawberries with honey to form a paste. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants which prevent and correct the harm free radicals cause to our bodies. Apply this paste and let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and admire how radiant and youthful your face looks and feels. 

Take advantage of all your house offers. Open up a night time spa because no other establishment can offer the value and convenience of a facial for under $10. Remember, wellness achieved through healthy lifestyle includes taking time to pamper one's self.

ATTENTION FELLAS: We know what you guys are thinking, "What kind of fruity mess is this?!" Truth be told, some of you are in desperate need of a facial, but will probably avoid one like the plague, so let us put things in perspective for you. "Ask not what the face mask can do for you but," actually, that is exactly what we want you to ask. Seriously, if you guys have a special lady in your life and you shudder at the thought of footing the bill for her next spa treatment, make her a face mask. This is an effective and INEXPENSIVE way to show her you care.

As they say, "out with the old and in with the new." Wash granny's old preserves out of those mason jars collecting dust around the kitchen ("Trap Stars" make sure you clean out any left over residue before you repackage) and simple follow the instructions above. Give your lady friend the gift that keeps on giving but don't just make it for her, apply it as well. Women love to be pampered and in this case, the old saying holds true, "Give and you shall receive!"

Until next time, be safe and let your skin glow!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Dose of Reality" Volume.1 Issue.2

On the song "Black President," Nasir Jones samples a refrain from Tupac Shakur that says, "[and] though it seems heavensent, we ain't ready to have a black president." Apparently we are. We did it and we cannot feel more lifted. See, when you are a resident of a state, Florida, where an election can be stolen from under your nose, you hold your breath during the political process. We took five days to marinate on this historic event and as a result of being very emotional, the magnitude of this moment has yet to sink in. After spending a long night making phone calls to loved ones, most notably our grandparents, who lived through the highs and lows that signify OUR STRUGGLE as minorities in America, you cannot help but find yourself moved by how far we have come and continue to go. After the initial rush of euphoria subsided and we begin to gain clarity, we begin to think, "How will this affect our wallet?" Throughout his entire campaign, President Elect Barack Obama delivered messages of his plan to redistribute wealth and his desire to provide financial relief to the working middle class. Bottomline, as recent college graduates who struggle to fuel our cars given the sudden state of the economy, we need clarity. In an effort to explain how these "comprehensive tax plans" effect our paychecks, we came to some conclusions.

We know what you're thinking, "How do you go from reciting Nas lyrics to talking about taxes?" To be honest, the answer is rather simple. Hip-hop speaks to people about self-empowerment via the almighty dollar using laymens terms. It makes sense for us to try to decipher these economic models using vernacular that is most accessible to our audience. While the mainstream news media continues to make note of this "Tax Issue," most of us are youtubing Beyonce's new hit video. After all, who doesn't like money?

For the 95% of Americans who make 200k or less, these tax proposals may interest you. Allow us to provide you with a to the point, matter of fact, laymans version of our findings.

According to www.BarackObama.com:

1. Attention all grinders! Expect $500 individual workers and $1000 working couples for doing what you do. That's right! For all workers making less than 200k and families making no more than 250k, you will receive a phat stack for being a tax paying citizen. This is your reward for being a vital participant in our nation's economy. It doesn't matter whether you are working at Mickey D's flipping burgers or managing your local bank, expect a nice little kick back in the coming future with Barack Obama in office.

2. Do not fret college student. Obama's tax plan include a refundable $4000 tax credit for families sending their children off to college. That will make community college virtually free and cover approximately 2/3 of tuition costs at a public 4-year college.

3. For approximately 7.5 million baby mamas and daddies making it happen for you and your youngn' guess what? Barack Obama plans to increase tax benefits for child care! HALLELUJAH! Low income families can expect to receive up to a 50% credit on the first 6K of child care expenses.

4. Barack Obama also plans a universal 10% Mortgage Tax Credit that will offset mortgage interest payments making home ownership more affordable! Ownership is what it's all about.

These were some of our favorite highlights from Barack Obama's Comprehensive Tax Plan. Please take the time to think about our future and do some research on your own. Look into what you can expect from your government in the years to come! 

"Dose of Reality" Volume.1 Issue.1

"I really ain't buying all this bullshit they selling me, When the government throwing more curves than the letter C: (Young Jeezy, "Crazy World"). Are these still the sentiments of the American public or are things more optimistic since Barack Obama became the President Elect? How is our society affected by this transition of power? Specifically, how does this help? As recent college graduates we understand the importance of the simple things in life and one of those basic needs is healthcare. Unfortunately, we have fallen victim to the age-old wives tale; graduate, find a job, and you will get the benefits. Sounds easy, right? Not so under the current economic conditions. Jobs are hard to come by and citizens are facing unemployment at record rates. If you're lucky enough to have a job, you're most likely employed in a field that doesn't relate to the discipline you've earned your degree and the bills are mounting. You're probably wondering when those "benefits" are going to kick in. 

What are the costs and benefits associated with President Elect Obama's new healthcare plan? Simply stated, the goal is to provide health insurance that works for employees and their employers, not just the insurance and drug companies. If you are satisfied with your current health insurance, everything remains the same, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year. Who would not be pleased with having that extra chunk of change in their bank account?

For those of us who have not experienced the benefits of suitable healthcare, new, affordable insurance options will be instated. Let's say you have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. In a time where it is impervious to slip into the insurance companies, you become bombarded with the task of finding satisfactory representation. You don't want to be stuck with bizarre bills or annoying calls from collection agencies. Under the new plan, all insurance companies will be required to accept everyone at fair and stable premiums.

To your grandparents, living off of their social security and retirement benefits, who were recently dropped from their insurance because of a new "condition," the newly established National Health Insurance Exchange would provide a range of private insurance options. Let us not forget all of us ENTREPRENEURS...we too will see "benefits." Obama plans to create a new Small Business Health Tax Credit, which will help small businesses provide affordable health insurance for their employees. So don't be afraid to please your employees and remember they are a reflection of you. The plan for a Healthy America, also creates a way for employees to have lower premiums by having businesses cover a portion of the calamitous healthcare costs.

Healthcare is essential to life--necessary to live. This information is only a snippet from President Elect Obama's healthcare agenda; just as this information was found on www.BarackObama.com, more information can be found there as well. Don't hesitate to research to stay updated with issues, which are related to you. And most importantly stay tuned for more to some from The CaliAmi Partners, LLC as we plan to keep everyone updated on the newest and most relevant information. 

Baronessa's Broke

Its been almost 2 years since I began this venture with my business partner and dear friend Samantha Squalls. At the time, we were both full time students with jobs and aspirations of breaking out into the real world to pursue our dreams. We had no idea then, but in terms of financial stability and health, we were in tip top shape. With financial aid checks streaming in along with under the table cash from various hustles and a desire to hit the Leach (aka Florida State's Gym), we were on top of the world. It was February 2007 and then we birthed the idea of I'm Tired of Being Broke. Prior to having graduated, we had ideals about the world, get a degree, get a job and start our own company. Sounds simple right?! Well lets just say, our personal experiences have been nothing short of adventurous. I believe it was October of 2008, when I thought I had hit rock bottom. In less than 2 years, everything we worked so hard to avoid, came rolling on in with no warnings like Hurricane Andrew in 1992. I felt like the ply wood I put up to protect my house had nothing in comparison to the strength of the storm that was on its way. This storm I'm referring to would be the Recession of '08. I left FSU with a degree in Finance in the Summer of '07. Sometimes, when I think about the irony in this, the only thing left to do is laugh. My first job out of school was working for Terminix, that should have been the first sign. I'd joke  with friends about riding in my exterminator suit to extinguish so and so's roach infestation. At this time I wondered how the rules of market efficiency would help me now. In actuality I was an administrative assistant whose job consisted of making appointments and sometimes having to diagnose what kind of feces was inside of a napkin before my face. That actually happened by the way. So lets fast forward, I end up at an Investment Advisory Firm in Thomasville, Ga. It was like big city mouse meet little city mice. I reconciled client statements, assisted the firm with their billing, and most importantly was in charge of the client reports. I even managed to acquire my series 7 which would send me on the path of becoming a Financial Advisor myself and manage funds for those who sought returns on their investments. You couldn't tell me shit! I was on my grind and ahead of the game as I thought. I'm Tired of Being Broke had already been written and even though our first publisher withdrew from the project, we had high hopes of sealing the deal with a literary agent who would for sure see the timeliness and urgency of our manuscript. 9 months into my career and almost a year to the date post graduation, I decided I needed a break from the small town living. My cousin Mauikai, a recording artist from Miami, Fl., was going on a European Tour to spread her music, this would be my opportunity. Let's just say, I came back broke, jobless, carless, and homeless...Luckily my momma loves me, so I'm back where I started, in the room I spent my high school years at...and I'm most definitely tired, Tired of Being Broke.