Starting out as a young person today isn’t what it was when many of us were young. Straight out of college, you’re paying $300 per month for health insurance, $80 per month for your cell phone, almost three bucks for a gallon of gas – all of this being stacked atop increasingly expensive rental rates, utility bills, car payments, and … Read More
Summer Money Series: What NOT to Spend Student Loan Funds On
More than one in 10 Americans hold student loan debt – that’s 43 million people! And it’s no small amount of debt either. Total it together and the bill comes to just over $1.6 trillion. That’s an awfully big hole to dig out of. Programs offered through the State Treasury give Mississippians a way to reduce or eliminate their student … Read More
Summer Money Series: Establishing Credit
Graduation season is upon us, which means thousands of Mississippi young people are preparing to strike out on their own. With that in mind, I thought it might be a good time to walk through some of the basics of financial wellness. So, over the next month, I’ll be focusing on a few topics many young people struggle with. Up … Read More
Take a Vacation from Inflation
Summertime is here and that means (hopefully) some summer travel as well! Do you have any getaways on the horizon? While many are planning some kind of summer vacation, most remain heartily concerned about inflation’s impact. Gas is going to cost more. Flights are going to cost more. Eating out is going to cost more. In short, inflation hasn’t exactly … Read More
Help Kids Learn Finances this Summer!
It’s hard to believe, but summer is here already! For many, it’s the beginning of a jam-packed schedule (from beach trips to summer camps to T-ball practice). But even as parents are sent running around, it seems like the kids themselves are in frequent need of activities to beat the summer boredom. Well, I have a few fun ideas for … Read More
Cruel Summer
President Biden’s economic policies will wreak havoc on Mississippi families once again this summer. Consider this: since the President took office, prices have increased by nearly 20%, according to the Senate Banking Committee. Grocery costs have increased. Gas prices have jumped. Even electricity bills have skyrocketed. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports electricity prices have gone up 13 times … Read More
Standing Against Hate and Antisemitism
The last few weeks have brought chaos and uncertainty for Israel, and Israel’s supporters. Antisemitic protests have broken out on elite college campuses across the country. Turkey shut down trade with Israel. And President Biden threatened to withhold critical weapons from Israel. Simply put, the Middle East’s only democracy is under an economic, public relations, and military assault right now. … Read More
MPACT Enrollment Closing May 31
Tis the season for spring concerts and science fairs, end-of-year projects and graduation party prep. Yes, summer break is looming for many (and our kids can’t wait!) With the end of each school year, however, comes the end of the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) open enrollment period. On May 31, MPACT enrollment will conclude for the season. And … Read More
McRae Announces 2024 Art Contest Winners, $7,000+ in Scholarships
JACKSON, Miss. – David McRae this week announced the 2024 College Savings Mississippi Art Contest winners with a reception at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Twelve students and one teacher took home more than $7,000 worth of scholarships during the event. “I love getting to see students’ imaginations and dreams run wild in their artwork,” said Treasurer McRae. “I hope that … Read More
Continuing to Stand with Israel
The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel was just one episode in a series of murderous events that led to the current war in Gaza. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iran have long placed a target on Israel’s back (not only because Israel is a Jewish state, but because it is a democracy and an ally of the United States). It … Read More