Business

Focusing on Financial Health: Charting the Path Toward Your Next Milestone

Let’s talk about the basics first. Managing your money can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. Understanding things like budgeting, saving, paying your bills, and even building your credit score are skills that can help you at any stage of life. Even in difficult times, when so many are facing greater uncertainty around finances and job security, understanding core financial skills can be the difference maker.

Published

3 years ago

November 4, 2021

Oakland Post

Whether you’re looking to become financially independent, planning for a long-awaited vacation, or saving for a down payment to buy your first home, it’s important to become aware of the tools and skills available to help make your financial journey as smooth as possible.

When was the last time you looked at your bank account balance? According to a survey, over 60% of Americans check their balance at least once a week. This habit, if practiced the right way, can put you on the path to achieving your financial goals.

Even in difficult times, when so many are facing greater uncertainty around finances and job security, understanding core financial skills can be the difference maker.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of Black Americans said that either they or someone in their family has experienced a job or wage loss due to COVID. In these situations, especially, it is critical to know how to manage your finances to stay or get back on track.

If you’re unsure of where to begin, how to start making progress, or simply looking to refresh your knowledge, consider the following as you chart a successful path forward and take control of your financial future.

Advice and Tools

JPMorgan Chase’s financial goals hub is a great place to start. Start by picking a goal – save, budget or build credit – and explore advice, offerings and tools that more simply allow you to control your financial future. The Grow Your Savings page, for example, offers an interactive calculator that maps out a timeline to reach savings goals and highlights how the Autosave tool can help you manage a regular savings schedule to stay on track and meet your goals. Other resources, such as budget worksheets, are also available to monitor and track monthly spending, as well as guidance on using the Credit Journey tool to build and protect credit, and background on low-cost checking accounts designed to provide access for anyone who has had trouble getting or keeping an account in the past.

If you’re unsure of where to begin, how to start making progress, or simply looking to refresh your knowledge, consider the following as you chart a successful path forward and take control of your financial future

Reserved Capital for Business Owners

Education, reliable support and resources are fundamental first steps to financial literacy, as well as having access to capital. Through JPMorgan Chase’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, we’re working to provide more access to capital to future entrepreneurs, existing business owners and communities who have historically struggled to secure it. JPMorgan Chase is also setting aside funds specifically for Black and Hispanic business owners – stop into your local branch and talk with a Chase for Business representative to see if you qualify.

Equitable Home Lending

One way we hope to increase property ownership among Black communities is through our Chase DreaMaker mortgage, which makes applying for your first mortgage or refinancing a current one more attainable with a smaller down payment, and by offering reduced mortgage insurance, more flexibility around your credit score, potential assistance grants and homebuyer education courses.

No matter where you are financially, budgeting and saving are two key habits that can help all of us bounce back from life’s unexpected moments or keep you on track to ensure you meet your goals. That is why JPMorgan Chase is here to help everyone have open conversations about what it means to be financially healthy while providing the support, tools and advice to get there. Financial health is a journey, and we can help you think about a plan for now and the future.

For more resources, information and access to tools that can help you achieve your financial goals and milestones, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals.

Sponsored content from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 4 – 10, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 4 – 10, 2024

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Business

Gov. Newsom Signs New Laws Strengthening State’s Crackdown on Organized Retail Crimes

On Aug. 16, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to prosecute people involved in organized retail crimes. According to Newsom’s office, “the new laws provide tougher criminal penalties for repeat offenders and additional tools for felony prosecutions.”

Published

1 week ago

August 28, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

On Aug. 16, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to prosecute people involved in organized retail crimes.

According to Newsom’s office, “the new laws provide tougher criminal penalties for repeat offenders and additional tools for felony prosecutions.”

“Let’s be clear, this is the most significant legislation to address property crime in modern California history,” said Newsom speaking at a news conference in San Jose.

“I thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers, our retail partners, and advocates for putting public safety over politics.”

Among other infractions, the news laws cover smash-and-grabs, sale of stolen property and car break-ins.

Earlier in the week, Newsom announced that the state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) has recovered stolen goods worth more than $7.2 million and has made 884 arrests since the beginning of the year.

The ORCTF’s efforts have led to a 212% increase in criminal investigations statewide. These investigations have led to a 106% increase in arrests in recent months.

Since 2019 when Newsom first appointed the task force, the state has invested over $1.1 billion to fight crimes and bolster local law enforcement efforts in communities across the state. This included an allocation of over $267 million across 55 cities and counties to hire more police and invest time and resources in more criminal investigations to make arrests and file felony charges against suspects.

Some of that funding was allotted last year as part of the governor’s Real Public Safety Plan, partnering with police and sheriff’s departments and district attorney offices to curb organized retail theft.

“The state’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responding readily and at record pace to crack down on organized criminals attempting to rip off California’s storefronts — demonstrating a continued commitment to enforcing public safety and protecting our communities,” said Newsom.

The task force helped the California Highway Patrol (CHP) make over 2,900 arrests and seize more than $45 million worth of stolen property since 2019 when it was first created.

Sean Duryee, the commissioner of the CHP, said that pursuing organized retail crime has yielded significant results each month.

“Through targeted investigations and numerous arrests, we are actively disrupting and dismantling these crime rings that threaten our communities and businesses,” said Duryee.

“Our message is clear: we will not allow organized retail crime to go unchecked in California,” he said.

The task force’s special operations and anti-crime initiatives have helped remove guns and drugs off the streets in hot spots such as Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Francisco with the backing of CHP officers, Newsom office stated.

California Retailers Association (CRA) President and CEO Rachel Michelin joined the Governor at the bill signing, along with Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), and other officials.

“These bills’ swift movement through the state Legislature and into law make it clear that retail theft policy priorities have shifted this year,” wrote Michelin on Facebook.

“This seismic shift is a testament to the California Retailers Association team’s strategic and persistent work with state leadership including the Governor’s office, Speaker’s office, Senate Pro Tempore, various members of the legislature and other key stakeholders to ensure the safety of our customers, stores and neighborhoods in which we operate in,” she added.