Community

Take Time Off This Summer, but Not from Your Finances

Summer is here, bringing all the fun that comes with months of warm weather and hours of daylight. As you plan your summer season itinerary, however, you might discover you’re juggling more expenses than just a trip to the beach.

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2023

Oakland Post

Knowing your savings timeline is key. Think about when you’ll need to start saving for summer costs and put aside extra money as early as possible if you have that option.

For parents, there’s the cost of day camp or other childcare. At home, you might be cranking up the air conditioner more often. Even that short beach trip can be costly after paying for gas, food and maybe a souvenir.

Unexpected summer expenses can impact your budget if you’re not careful. Common summer-specific costs to be aware of as you make your budget include:

Childcare and summer activities: Many parents have to make plans for their younger children when they’re out of school. Summer day camps are a great option, but they can be costly. If you prefer to hire a summer babysitter or nanny to care for your children in your home, the costs can be similar depending on how many hours the caregiver works and their hourly rates.
Home maintenance: More time at home means more air conditioner use, which can drive up your utility bills. Your water bill might increase in order to care for your lawn and garden, which will need to be maintained more frequently. You may find more time in the summer for those home beautification projects on your list, but they come with a price.
Travel: Most people will save in advance of a big trip, but it’s easy to get caught off guard by how much money you can spend at less costly local attractions as well. If you go to your county fair, prepare to shell out more than you might expect for a few rides and games. If you’re taking longer trips, the cost of transportation, lodging and multiple meals only add to your expenses. Even with the best advance planning, many people find they spend much more than they envisioned just doing things they enjoy.

Another expense easily forgotten in planning is clothing -either for growing children or another climate. Photo courtesy J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

You can make summer memorable with nearby day outings doing simple activities like kite-flying or just strolling and gathering shells and stones. Photo courtesy J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

Saving for summer

Knowing your savings timeline is key. Think about when you’ll need to start saving for summer costs and put aside extra money as early as possible if you have that option. Also consider making a special budget for summer that includes some of the expenses listed above that apply to your lifestyle. Some budget suggestions include:

Figure out the largest costs of your summer trip first and decide your bucket list “must-haves.” What experiences are most important when you’re making your itinerary? Budget for airfare, hotel, food, and your dream excursions, and cut back on anything else that’s outside your budget.
Check out freebies: Museums are often free on certain days in the summer. Plan a short day trip around those dates.
Look for lower-priced or no-cost children’s daytime programs offered through local recreation centers, park districts, libraries, and school districts.
Input summer-specific expenses in an online budget calculator. If you’re doing an annual budget already, make sure to add these additional, summer-specific expenses so you know what to expect when it’s time to pay.

Doing the planning ahead of time and knowing what costs you’ll face to adjust your budget accordingly can help you enjoy your summer plans without worrying about how you’ll afford them.

For more saving tips, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals/budget

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

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Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com

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Who Wants to Be the Next Elected Mayor of Oakland?

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

An aerial view of the downtown Oakland skyline on a clear sunny day. The federal building and other iconic buildings fill the skyline. Photo: iStock.

By Paul Cobb

Many of you probably recall the oft-repeated expression when describing leadership that “many are called but few are chosen.” We will be inundated during January with many claims of qualifications by those who want to lead Oakland.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, we have heard the names of 14 potential candidates who might become Oakland’s next Mayor.

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Any candidate who wishes to receive a free announcement, publicity or space in the paper must submit solutions.

The first questions we propose are 1) What is your budget balancing plan?
What is your position on requiring all city employees to work full-time in their designated offices rather than remotely from their homes?
What is your plan to provide open-access opportunities to all police officers for overtime pay?
Since many businesses, especially downtown, have closed, what is your plan to attract and increase revenues?

Please send your submissions of 300 words or less to each question to Social@postnewsgroup.com or visit www.postnewsgroup.com

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Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity

With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.

By Carla Thomas

For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.

“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.

Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.

Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.

“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”

As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.

“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”

Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.

“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”

By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.

She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.

Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.