Most of us have had the experience of digging in our coat pocket to find a five-dollar bill we long forgot was there. That’s a little taste of what it’s like to find unclaimed money with the Mississippi Treasury. For years, it’s been pretty easy to find the money; but claiming it has presented a few more hurdles, until recently … Read More

State Treasurer David McRae today launched a statewide scholarship giveaway ahead of National 529 Day (May 29). The Treasurer advises Mississippians to keep an eye on their mailboxes for the giveaway postcards, which will begin arriving on Friday. Fifteen families will win a combined total of $7,500. The scholarships will be given via a Mississippi Affordable College Savings account through … Read More

State Treasurer David McRae today announced the Treasury has launched an e-claims process for unclaimed money. Constituents are now able to conveniently search for, claim, and process unclaimed funds online – no pen and paper required. “Over the last year, the State Treasury has returned more than $27 million in unclaimed money to Mississippians. It was a meaningful economic stimulus … Read More

The uncertainty of the last year has underscored the need for financial safety nets, which is perhaps why a majority of families tucked away their federal stimulus payments into an emergency fund rather than spending it. For some Mississippians with disabilities, however, tucking away that money wasn’t an option because they weren’t allowed to save it. Before we get to … Read More

David McRae today announced the state has topped $100 million in interest earnings and portfolio asset gains since he took the helm as Mississippi Treasurer. More specifically, since McRae took office, interest earnings for the general fund and special funds grew $60 million, while assets in the MPACT portfolio grew by $40 million. “Despite the fact that interest rates have … Read More

Throughout April, as part of Financial Education Month, I have been writing about ways families can improve their financial literacy and savings skills. What we haven’t talked about yet is how to discuss all this with our kids. Nearly 7 in 10 parents report that they are reluctant to talk about money with their children. And as a dad, I … Read More

I have two interesting facts to begin today’s article with. First, the oldest millennials are turning 40. Second, about two-thirds of them are still paying off their student loans. Let those numbers sink in for a minute. The student loan crisis is real, and it’s only growing. Between 2007 and 2017, the average student loan debt increased 58.5 percent. Unfortunately, … Read More

Debt is a tricky conversation. In the form of a mortgage, debt enables more people to work toward owning their own home. In the form of a small business loan, it gives job creators the opportunity to expand. But debt as the result of a high-interest credit card or a $30,000+ student loan can mean years of financial instability. Today, … Read More

More than half of Mississippians, about 56 percent, have fewer than $1,000 in savings. What’s more, about 38 percent have no savings at all. So, what happens when the tires wear out on your car, a child gets hurt, or there’s something on your home that needs repairing? It can be a scary situation, which is probably why about 53 … Read More

Earlier this month, Mississippi administered its 1 millionth COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a major milestone that has been accompanied by an incremental return to normal. Restaurants are busier. Kids are back in school. Gatherings are getting larger. And many families are able to breathe a sigh of relief just before the Easter holiday. A new day is dawning. I took the … Read More