Crisis doesn’t cancel purpose. And chaos? It’s just clarity in disguise, for those who know how to see it. 

When the world is shaking, some freeze. But others move. They don’t wait for conditions to calm; they leverage the storm. They know that downturns, disruptions, and disorder are where opportunity gets loud for those with vision and nerve. 

This is not theory. This is movement. This is what it looks like when chaos becomes capital. 

When the Job Market Crashed, She Launched a Mobile NailStudio 

Marissa, a licensed nail tech in Atlanta, was laid off from a salon during COVID. But instead of panicking, she pivoted. She bought a van, retrofitted it with spa chairs and sanitizers, and launched Grace Hands Mobile Spa. 

She didn’t wait for the market to recover; she made her own. Now, she services busy professionals, seniors, and church mothers who can’t get out easily. Her business doubled in 18 months. 

“I lost a paycheck but gained my purpose,” she says. “That’s what faith does; it opens doors in walls.” 

AFamily Reunion Became a VirtualConference Business 

When in-person events got canceled, Darnell and Shondra from Houston didn’t mourn the family reunion. They monetized it. They pulled together a virtual event for their extended family with games, music, breakout rooms, and custom T-shirts. That one-time pivot turned into a full-fledged enterprise: Kinnected Events. 

Now they’re hired by churches, nonprofits, and alumni groups to run seamless digital gatherings. Their overhead is low. Their impact is high. And it all started with one chaotic summer. 

The Market Dipped — So He Bought In 

Darius, a UPS driver in Memphis, didn’t panic when the market dropped. He studied it. With coaching from a faith-based investment circle, he put a portion of his savings into dividend stocks when prices were low. Three years later, that portfolio helps cover tuition for his daughter’s nursing degree. 

“I didn’t grow up learning this,” he says. “But I grew into it. And now my money works even when I’m asleep.” 

What We’re Learning From Them: 

Crisis reveals gaps. Vision fills them. 

Micro-movements — one product, one idea, one connection — can open up major financial pathways. 

Volatility isn’t just something to fear; it’s something to read. 

Emotional, spiritual, and economic preparedness can turn a breakdown into a breakthrough. 

You don’t need millions to make moves. You need mindset. You need discernment. And you need community. This isn’t about exploiting tragedy. It’s about responding to reality with creativity, courage, and conviction. 

We’ve seen it before. Our people have turned cotton fields into freedom trails, red lines into storefronts, grief into gospel. Why stop now? 

From chaos to capital. That’s the assignment. 

THE WEALTH WORKBOOK (module 3)

DR. KIM CLIETT LONG, FRSM, FRPH, FRGS is an award-winning author, educator, and cultural historian whose work explores the global impact of African and African American heritage. She serves as Project Administrator for the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Her latest book, “The First Marketplace: Africa’s Role in Shaping World Trade”, is written for middle school and older learners. 

This article is part of our 2026 July/August Issue
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People ask me the question “what do I give to the graduate?” As a close relative of a recent graduate, I had to ask myself the same. Do I join the majority choosing the easy way out by giving some money and a card, or do I become more creative, intentional and insightful making specific directed gifts? Here are three graduation gift options I have decided to embrace this graduation season, which can impact my graduates up for life challenges.

Gift Option 1: Debt Release

According to the latest student debt information released by the Federal Reserve, the average student loan debt ranges from $20,000 to $25,000. Debt release does not mean that you pay off the entire student loan, but you can decide to pay a few months or contribute towards the payment of the first few months of repayments as they become due, to get them started with life realities of employment and living expense.

According to Experian, one of the three credit reporting agencies in the country, the average young adult student is graduating with credit card debt of $3,493. If you really want to impact the graduate, you can contribute to paying off or reducing his or her credit card debt. This option is truly debt release and according to the Federal Reserve, credit card interest rates are averaging about 22%. You can celebrate the graduates educational achievements and debt release all at once!

Gift Option 2: Investment & Savings

Because you want this gift to register differently, then how about establishing a ROTH Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for the graduate as a gift?  If a graduate is going to be employed you can establish the ROTH IRA that will earn interest on your monetary gift, tax free. The other benefit of this type of account is that withdrawals are free of tax interest and penalties. Now if your graduates age is over 59 ½, then they can withdraw interest earned without incurring any interest or penalties also. Remember, the graduate can fund as much as $7,500 this year into establishing a ROTH CD.

Another option is to establish a certificate of deposit (CD) for your graduate. Some banks or other financial institutions offer no minimum amount to establish a CD for your graduate. You can establish some for as low as $100, which may not seem much for an elementary school graduate, but when you add in the secret formula of compound interest, it can make the world of a difference. According to USNews & World Report, college graduates may receive anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on your relationship with them. Just think of what a four or five month CD of $500 could mean in the life of a graduate from a savings perspective as they begin the journey developing an emergency fund.

If the CD gift option is not appealing to you, another option is to gift a Series I Treasury Bond from the U.S. Treasury website. The attractive thing about this investment is that there is an inflation component which protects against your guaranteed interest rate. For a younger graduate this may be ideal as these may be chased in or mature while they are still in their twenties which is amazing.

Gift Option 3: Financial Education 

While this may not seem like a good gift for a graduate, gifting him or her at least one financial planning session with a financial advisor can change the trajectory of their life. Today you have several options from which your graduate can choose, including robo advisors or more traditional types. Average rates may begin at $150 for an hour of counseling. If you want to bless your graduate for life, why not give this life changing financial gift? Join me in gifting our graduates differently this year, in these challenging economic times.

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about travel tips and here are a few as we enter the summer travel season. When you travel internationally, use credit cards with no transaction fees and make sure your transactions are processed in the local currency and not United States Dollars.When you travel to a city check to see if they participate in a program called CITY PASS which allows you to participate in multiple attractions for a lower price. Finally, look for restaurants outside the main tourist areas with good reviews, since they may provide cuisine at a cheaper price with larger portions. And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Most people may dream of becoming rich or wealthy but what to do if you won the lottery or inherited assets from family members? This idea is not farfetched, since according to investors and financial experts, from now through the year 2048, we are set to experience and live through the greatest generational wealth transfer in history. What I am saying is that many will inherit assets from their family during the next few decades. Here are some unexpected or expected inherited assets and what you should know.

Breathe

If you are inheriting due to the loss of a loved one or assets are being transferred to you, take time out for about a month or so and separate yourself from the emotional experience before moving forward with any substantive decisions. During this time you may begin to collect the will, trust, bank statements, insurance policies, deeds, several copies of death certificates and other documents. Once you have pulled this process together, here are two inherited assets challenges you may face.

Property

The most commonly inherited and distributed asset is real estate. Now that you have inherited this property, your thoughts are to sell since you already have your own house and cannot manage two properties. Regardless of your plans for this asset you should know about cost, basis and gain or loss if you sold the inherited property.

Without reading your favorite book next to the Bible, the Internal Revenue Code, let’s discuss a few definitions.  When I talk about cost, basis, gain or loss, I am simply referring to the price of what the deceased or the person who is transferring the property paid to acquire it originally. Fortunately for those inheriting, their gain or loss is calculated based upon what is referred to as the “stepped up basis.”

I promise, no more tax lingo, but here is an example that makes this simple point. When the inherited property was first acquired it cost the original owner $100 but when you inherited it, it is valued at $500. If you now decide to sell the property now worth $600 how much should you have to pay in taxes regarding this unexpected wealth? The answer lies in the “stepped up basis.” Stepped up means the value of the property or basis for the property you inherited, is the fair market value at the time you inherited it. In my example, at the time you inherited the property it was valued at $500. Your basis, or cost, starts there and not what the original owner paid for the property. If you now sell the property for $600, you will have a capital gain of $100. Under current rules rules there is a capital gains exclusion of $250,000 for a single filer and a $500,000 exclusion for married filing jointly. Therefore you incur  no capital gain or any taxes.

What I have just described to you is only one option in addressing your unexpected wealth. There are many other things you can do with the inherited property to make your wealth really count and not share, or minimize what you share with Uncle Sam.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

Your unexpected wealth may come from an inherited IRA but there are a few things you should know about with your new-found riches.
The first question is who are you in relation to the deceased. If you are a spouse then a different set of rules apply, but if you are not, there are several factors to consider. The first one you should know is that depending on when the person died, you may now be under the 10-year rule. This rule simply means that you have 10 years to withdraw the entire balance of money from the inherited IRA. There are no exceptions to this rule and in some cases you may have to withdraw money each year, for the IRA will impact your personal taxes. On the other hand if you are inheriting an IRA from a spouse, you have a lifetime to withdraw the money from your account. These choices can have major tax consequences if you do not plan accordingly.

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about lifetime estate and gift tax exemption for 2026. This year you can give up to $19,000 to anybody, family or not, without having to file a gift tax return and it is not considered taxable income to the recipient. And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction

Let’s get our money right! Not just for today but for the long haul, for the household, and for the generations coming behind us.

Wealth Activated isn’t about hype. It’s not about chasing trends or comparing bank balances. This is a spiritual, strategic, no-nonsense guide to reclaiming control in unpredictable times. Whether the economy is on fire or in free fall, we still have choices. We still have power. We still have faith, and we’re about to use all three.

In this four-part series, we’ll strip away the noise and get down to the business of real wealth, the kind rooted in clarity, community, and conviction. From creating crisis-proof budgets to turning chaos into capital, from spotlighting black faith-based wealth builders to building legacy while we live, this series is about activation. No waiting. No hoping. Just movement.

You won’t need a finance degree. You won’t need a six-figure income. You just need the courage to start, the vision to believe, and the discipline to stay the course.

Because financial freedom is not a myth. It’s a method. And even now — especially now — it’s still within reach. 

• What does financial stability look like for you — not in theory, but in your current real-life situation? How do you define it, and what emotions come up when you think about it?
• Have you ever had to activate a fallback program before? What worked, what didn’t, and what would you do differently now? 
• What are the top three essential expenses in your life right now, and what are three that could go if necessary? Be honest with yourself about what’s truly necessary for your wellbeing. 
• What fears or anxieties arise when you imagine a financial crisis? How can clarity and preparation help you respond to those feelings with power instead of panic? 
• Do you currently have a system or are you running on hope and vibes? What’s one immediate step you can take this week to begin creating your “two-pocket” plan? 
• In what ways has your faith helped you navigate past financial challenges? How can the same faith inform your budgeting and planning now? 
• How often do you review or reset your budget? Could a weekly check-in shift your mindset from reactivity to intentionality? 
• Who in your community can support your financial growth, and who might need your support? How can you cultivate mutual strength and accountability? 
• When you think about teaching the next generation, what financial principles do you want them to inherit from you? How does this influence the way you build and manage money today? 
• What would it mean for you to be “crisis-proof” financially; not just surviving, but anchored in peace and prepared for possibility? 

DR. KIM CLIETT LONG, FRSM, FRPH, FRGS is an award-winning author, educator, and cultural historian whose work explores the global impact of African and African American heritage. She serves as Project Administrator for the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Her latest book, The First Marketplace: Africa’s Role in Shaping World Trade, is written for middle school and older learners. 

This article is part of our 2026 March/April Issue
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Do you ever wonder why you are receiving spam and advertisements from some businesses from which you may have an interest in purchasing?

Alternatively, have you wondered why in one day that you view a product or service, but when you went back to purchase that item, the price increased within hours? Dynamic Pricing or Demand Pricing creates these fluctuations. While the theory has been around for many years, with the increased use of data analytics and artificial intelligence, dynamic pricing has now become a major factor in what prices you pay for items purchased through on-line shopping.

What it Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing is a combination of artificial intelligence and computer algorithms to identify when prices should increase or decrease. It is why you find during the same day prices of the same item you identify may fluctuate multiple times at the same store. I must point out that many businesses use this system which is legal and different from price gouging. This system monitors your online behavior, customizing cost and tailoring prices to your shopping and purchasing habits. The same systems and data analyze the way you make financial decisions and inform pricing decisions.

How it Works

According to Consumer reports in December of 2025 Instacart conducted an AI experiment without consumer knowledge. The experiment showed Instacart users the same product, at the same store, during the same shopping session, but listed at different prices. The price fluctuated as much as 23%  around the grocery item, and consumers found themselves facing prices and options based upon their patterns and habits. When word of this experiment became public, Instacart abandoned the platform and targeting consumers. Instacart, however, still uses surge pricing during peak demand seasons for certain products. In other words, everybody would not pay the same price for the same item at the same store.

Airline tickets pose a great dilemma regarding dynamic pricing. When demand slows, then prices decreases and vice versa. Airline prices are grouped by buckets, so when those buckets sell out at different prices, the remaining prices are grouped and tagged to a higher rate. Therefore, if you fail to purchase at the lower rate, the next time you visit the site for the same item, the price may have increased for you and not anyone else.

Protection Strategies

Businesses may increase prices based upon demand or anticipation of demand in the future. For example, sellers and retailers recognize that when a holiday is coming,  they can set a premium on the items for those who purchase late. So, protect your wallet, and shop defensively by clearing out your browser cookies where they store your shopping data and habits. If you activate your incognito or private mode in your browser, your search history falls off when your session is finished. In other words, leave no trace of your shopping habits for retainers to follow and target you with different prices. One study revealed that lower online retail prices hover between 6:00 a.m. through noon, and that Tuesday mornings are best for shoppers. In general, shop weekdays rather than evening and weekends when prices inch higher. These strategies counteract AI and dynamic pricing, and help lower your spending cost on items.

THAT’S WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about two congressional business business proposals if enacted into law that will impact your finances. The first of these proposals is a cap on your credit cards interest rates. In general if interest rates are capped on credit cards at 10% as being proposed, that would be good for the consumer. However, it would also mean that many peoples’ line of credit will be reduced and establishing credit will be more difficult. A University Vanderbilt study showed that if credit card interest rates were capped at 10%, the average credit card holder would save approximately $899 in interest fees annually.

The other proposal, if approved by congress, would allow you to withdraw money from your retirement or 401 (k) as a downpayment without incurring any penalty or having to payback the money. This could make it easier for individuals to purchase a home. Keep an eye out for these proposals as they go through congress. And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

March is woman’s month and on March 26th, 2026 we will recognize Equal Pay Day. Equal pay Day is the day in the year which identifies how far into the new year women have to work in order to earn as much as a man earned the previous year. Said another way, the day highlights the wage gap between men and women. Let’s consider some realities and how the gap be fixed.

Life  Realities

According to the Census Bureau women earn 81 cents to every dollar earned by men. However a more recent Pew Research Survey shows that the gap has narrowed from 81 cents to 85 cents. Now let’s be clear, whether it’s 19 cents short or 15 cents short, we all should feel short changed. This reality has an impact in a two-family income home, but even greater economic impact in women-led single family homes. For example, according to the Census Bureau over a lifetime men would earn at least over $900,000 more than women due to the wage gap. This means that the family investments, assets, lifestyles and legacy remain non-existent for many and for the few which may exist remain underfunded.

Other significant reality factors are that almost 75% of women die single or widowed. This is simply as a result of women living longer than men. Women live between five to seven years longer than men; with women living to an average age of 81 and men’s average age being 76 years old.

Additionally there are family roles and responsibilities taken on by women such that  75% of them become caregivers. In being caregivers,  on average women spend 11 years out of the workforce caring for family members and raising children. The result is the loss of wages and retirement savings.

Solutions

The first step in eliminating the wage gap is for women to begin to get involved and take charge of these finances. Even for women in relationships, knowing your family financial plan and operation in practical ways is essential. Responsibilities may be shared but knowing how things work are critical. Taking responsibility also means educating yourself, protecting your credit, and when it comes to employment which is your largest source of income, negotiate higher wages and maximum benefits. For example if you are not employed outside the home or are a low earning spouse,  your circumstances may be eligible for spousal IRA (Individual Retirement Account ) contributions.

Another action item is to develop and understand  investment plans. Women are traditionally caught between figuring out family security and their retirement. Women exhibit lower confidence when it comes to investing.The result is that they invest more conservatively than men resulting in lower retirement portfolio and savings. This issue can be addressed through financial education and literacy. But beyond that, I recognize that investment language is communicated in jargon that may not resonate with women. Truth is, by default, women will control most of the wealth transfers taking place today given the fact that they outlive men. Therefore, it is incumbent that they gain the knowledge necessary to manage inherited wealth.

Finally, women should ensure the existence of financial  protection. Here there are protections such as ensuring that healthcare insurance coverage, long term care insurance, disability insurance and life insurance coverage exist, should you or your spouse suffer employment or financial loss or hardship. The other action item closely related to those coverages is an estate plan. Women should ensure that an estate plan exists for themselves or their family..

The wage gap and equal pay has plagued us for generations. However, there is some good news in that the wage gap is almost eliminated based upon your generation. According to the  Pew Research Report, in 2024, women whose ages range from 25 to 34 earned 95 cents per every dollar earned by men. While still not yet perfect, there is measurable progress.

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about investing common sense.  Many experts will tell you that you should not invest until you are out of debt. I would say that advice needs some clarification if not explanation. The simple explanation is that not all debt is equal. Perhaps if you have significant credit card debt, then paying those off before investing may be good advice. On the other hand, if you have a low mortgage which will be with you for another 15 years, would it make common sense to wait until the mortgage is paid before you start investing? Most likely not. Therefore, if it’s a low interest debt, consider investing while you continue to pay it off.

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Back in the now distant April of 1979,  musical artists Sister Sledge released what has now become one of our generational celebratory anthems called “We Are Family.”  As the calendar changes to March we are now entering a season of family reunions. But how do you plan, prepare and pay for your next family reunion?

Need or Want

This may be a strange place to begin, but this fundamental question must be asked and that is, do we need to have a family reunion, or is it just a good idea? Is there really enthusiasm among the majority, and is there a recognition that failure to do this may contribute towards loss of family legacy, history and future? If after these considerations the consensus is to move forward, then what’s next?

In The Beginning

Before you can get to the numbers and cost of a family reunion, there are basic facts to acknowledge. Most family reunions occur during the summer as it is difficult to schedule during the school year and expect maximum participation. Another up front fact is that the average family reunion usually lasts three days. While I am not a project manager and you do not need to be one to plan this event, there are some organizational and structural factors you should consider or put in place which can ensure success.

If you are thinking about having a reunion, you should begin with establishing an organizing committee. Bringing together some core family members to form an organizing committee is crucial. The organizing committee should be tasked with selecting a planning committee. The planning committee assignment should be to oversee the entire reunion. However, they will not execute all the plans as they will need to establish sub-committees who will perform the tasks and report to the planning committee.

Now that we have some organizing structure in place, the event is more likely to occur and not left to one person to perform.

Group Help

The sub committee that keeps everyone on schedule and on task is the communication committee. No family event or relationship can survive without communication. Technology savvy family members should lead the way in this sub -committee since you want to connect with individuals from seniors and baby boomers to generation Alpha. Digital contact and social media play such a significant role in sharing information that I cannot imagine planning a reunion without a communication sub-committee.

Another very important committee is the events and activities sub-committee. This committee’s task is obvious. They are responsible for scheduling events and ensuring that there are many options for everyone to enjoy. This does not mean that each moment of the reunion needs to be planned as there needs to be built-in free and unscheduled activities time. You can plan activities such as historical stories about what life may have been when others were growing up or what advice you would give another family member starting out in life. To help record and archive this event you can consider an app such as StoryCorps.org.

The indispensable sub-committee is the budgeting finance and funding sub-committee. Some of the responsibilities of this committee would be negotiating venues, with vendors and contractors on behalf of the group. They would also have to consider hiring individuals such as a professional event planner if necessary for a specific set of services. Their prices can range from $1,000 through $10,000, depending on your family size and attendees. If that cost is too much you could consider hiring a day coordinator for the event. Day coordinators can range from $800 dollars through $3,000 per day.

Other decisions to be made by this committee would include whether you would request guests to pay a flat fee were they to attend or take a more a la carte plan for activities. Perhaps a google spread sheet could be established at the outset so that everyone could see and understand cost, payment plans, lodging, T-shirts, decorations, food and many other surprise costs. Generally, family reunion costs are understated so therefore a cushion or emergency fund should be established to address surprise costs. If there is a balance remaining in the emergency fund after the event, family members can get a refund.

Take Aways

Family reunions can be expensive. If it’s a casual or local venue, planning needs to begin about one year in advance. More sophisticated venues require planning of about 18-24 months. This means that you now have to figure out airline cost, resort cost, seasons and prices being bundled for better cost. It’s not impossible to plan a reunion for this year, but total engagement and structure is necessary for success!

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about digital currency. The Genius act was passed in 2025 and will go into full effect in January of 2027. Recently the The United States Office of the Comptroller of The Treasury has issued conditional approval for non bank companies such as Stripe to serve as issuers of Stable Coins. Stable Coins are a type of digital currency that is being tied to the United States Dollar. And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Last week’s article with regards to taxes generated many questions especially when it came to purchasing a vehicle. Perhaps purchasing a vehicle could be a part of your tax strategy in the year 2026. Let’s see how this works.

Qualified Passenger Vehicles Loan Interest

Most of us are visibly attracted to our vehicles prior to its purchase. But if you’re seeking to take advantage of this tax opportunity, compromise may be the operational word in making this decision. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 163 (h) is where you will find some of the background and explanation as to how this law is intended to be applied. The first rule here is that the vehicle must be purchased and designed for personal use. As with everything else written in the tax code, there are always exceptions and it’s never written in English. This is not to say that the purchased vehicle cannot be used for business purposes; it does mean that more than 50% of the purchased vehicle must be for personal use. Therefore, if some use of the vehicle is for business purposes, some of the loan interest may be claimed as an expense deduction. But that is another conversation beyond the scope of this article. To further help illuminate what is meant by vehicle for personal designed use, this law includes two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles. Personal use definition could also include descendants of an estate, individual, owner of a grantor trust and several other categories which could all be the subject of it’s own article.

Another consideration in purchasing your vehicle is the vehicles’ weight.  The law stipulates that in order to claim the interest deduction, the purchased vehicles’ weight must be less than 14,000 pounds. There is a measuring factor known as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is required for your vehicle, and by implication the deductibility of your vehicle loan interest. Generally, this weight requirement would include SUV’s, minivans and regular passenger vehicles. Examples of vehicles excluded from the list are ATV’s, trailers, campers and leased vehicles.

Another factor and perhaps the most critical of the eligibility requirements is the vehicle’s identification number (VIN). The VIN is tied to where the vehicle is assembled. Under IRC Code Section 163, the vehicle’s final assembly must be in the United States of America. VIN beginning with the numbers 1,4,5,7F-7Z and 70 may indicate that the vehicle was assembled in America. Another way to determine if you qualify for the deduction is to search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website (nhtsa.gov/vin-decoder) using your vehicle’s identification number (VIN).

If you did not purchase a vehicle in the year 2025, this information is valuable in the event you plan to purchase a vehicle in the next three years. This deduction expires at the end of tax year 2028 and therefore in order to benefit, think strategically when it comes to purchasing your next vehicle. Also, the full deduction phases out if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $200,000 for married filing jointly individuals.

Loan

When it comes to the loan and deducting up to the $10,000 dollars of interest, it must be the first loan and for personal use. Some of the statute specific exclusions are lease financing, loans to purchase vehicles used for scrap or parts and loans to purchase commercial vehicles acquired for personal use. This aspect of the qualifying loan and interest deduction is quite straightforward. Where the interpretation and application can become more dense is the consideration of refinancing of the loan. The loan may be refinanced if no change in the original obligor and debt. The interest deduction on a refinanced loan would include the debt, any down payment and negative equity of the vehicle. But to keep it simple, refinancing is an option.

If you did not purchase a vehicle in the year 2025, this information is valuable in the event you plan to purchase a vehicle in the next three years. This deduction expires at the end of tax year 2028 and therefore in order to benefit, think strategically when it comes to purchasing your next vehicle. Also, the full deduction phases out if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000.00 for married filing jointly individuals. Without a more complicated rule explanation, your MAGI is your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) (all the money you made minus deductions) plus adding back some of the deductions used to calculate your AGI. That’s the simplest way I can explain some of these rules to you.

When I say phase out, it does not mean you lose the deduction. It means you will not benefit fully from the $10,000 interest deduction on the vehicle loan because your Modified Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $100, 000 for individuals or $200,000 for couples. The phase out may be that you lose $200 dollars in interest deduction, for every $1,000 dollars that your MAGI exceeds each threshold.

In conclusion, I have tried in this Money Monday, to bring some clarity to your understanding on purchasing your next vehicle. There is another conversation to be had with regards to leasing your vehicle, as the new tax laws do provide benefits there also. But that will have to be the subject matter of another Money Monday in the future.

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about earning rewards on your cards. In the past, cash-back points or mileage on purchases were overwhelmingly the purview of credit cards. Now some of those benefits are being offered on debit card transactions. For example, United Airlines, Wyndham Hotels and Southwest Airlines are now providing rewards on their debit cards. Watch this space! And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Although it’s an annual event, and for most of us it’s not our favorite time of the year–ready or not, April 15, 2026 will soon be here. While there is no fun way to discuss taxes perhaps this year your refund may be larger, or you may owe less in taxes. That’s fun, right?

Here are a few areas of tax opportunities for you in your 2025 filing.

Taking On The Task

There is no point in waiting until the last minute to file because if you owe and do not have the money to pay, will be facing potentially two types of penalties. There is the failure to file penalty and the failure to pay penalty. If you have prepared your return and you will owe and do not have the money to pay, file at the deadline and avoid the penalty of failing to file on time. You will not avoid interest on failing to pay, but you will at least avoid potentially up to 25% in interest. The Internal Revenue Service current rate of interest charged and compounded on tax liabilities is 7%. I will provide a solution though at the end.

Vehicle Deduction

If you purchased or leased a vehicle in 2025, you may be eligible to deduct up to $10,000 in loan interest on your 2025 tax return. There are some required qualifications such as the vehicle’s final assembly must have been in the United states of America. This may exclude some foreign vehicles. One way to determine if you qualify for the deduction is to search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website (nhtsa.gov/vin-decoder) using your your vehicle’s identification number (VIN). This website should provide enough information to determine your eligibility. If you did not purchase a vehicle in the year 2025, this information is valuable in the event you plan to purchase a vehicle in the next three years. This deduction expires at the end of tax year 2028 and therefore in order to benefit, think strategically when it comes to purchasing your next vehicle. Know that for married individuals who are filing jointly, if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $200,000 this deduction is subject to a “phase out.” In other words, you will receive less of a deduction the more your income exceeds $200,000.

Digital Currency

To all my digital currency friends, the IRS is taking these activities very seriously. In 2025 Bitcoin and other digital currency investments earned significant profits. If you invested in digital currency and cashed in on your profits, remember that these investments follow the same rules as trading in stocks and bonds. It means that they are subject to ordinary gains taxed at the highest tax rate or subject to capital gain rates taxed at the lowest tax rates. Here is a point worth noting: you will have to pay taxes on your digital currency gain even if you used it to purchase another item instead of cashing it in. Let’s just say when it comes to the IRS, it’s simply a case of, you can run, but you can’t hide.

State Tax Relief

In 2025, your 2025 your state and Local Tax ( SALT) allowance on the federal return has been increased from $10,000 to $40,000. With property taxes on the rise, this raise will provide much needed relief to many taxpayers who own a home. This change alone can result in taxpayers obtaining refunds instead of owing the IRS. This amount will increase by 1% each year through tax year 2029 and covers not only real property taxes but also property taxes on vehicles and boats. You are also allowed to deduct either state and local sales tax or state and local income taxes but not both.

It is probably now worth the effort to retain your property tax, mortgage interest, medical bills and charitable contribution which would determine whether you take the standard deduction or itemize. Take a look and see whether this results in tax relief for you. .

Tax Moves

The year 2025 may have ended but you still have time to contribute into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Contributions made to your IRA will reduce your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to which many of your tax benefits are attached. Any opportunity to reduce your AGI is a win! For tax year 2025 you can contribute up to $7,000 or up to $8,000 if you are more than 50 years old. You must take action before April 15, 2026 for your deduction to be applied on your 2025 tax return.

Another tax move that can provide even more benefits is your Health Saving Account (HSA). With this account your money grows tax deferred, withdrawals used to pay qualified medical expenses are tax free and your contributions are tax deductible. Execute before April 15, 2026 for receive your 2025 tax benefit.

Now back to the point about owing and paying 7% interest to the IRS. If you can borrow at a lower interest rate, then pay off the IRS and pay the lower rate from your loan. If you are able to, obtain a new credit card which provides 18 months no interest and pay off your tax debt using your new card.

WHAT’S UP!

Today’s What’s Up is about saving money on your next trip. Always try to stay in a hotel that offers free breakfast. You can then have something light for lunch and then pay for dinner in the evening thereby spending money on one meal per day. For international travel use a credit card with rewards credit and no transaction fees. Always have your transactions processed in the local currency and not United States Currency. Finally, if you can rent your vehicle from an off airport site, the cost will be cheaper. And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.

Affordability remains the focus of consumers in 2026. Grocery prices, housing, utilities, health insurance and transportation comprise the most immediate concern. And with some economists forecasting an annualized inflation rate of 3.26%, we’re wondering how we will either deprive ourselves, tighten our belts, or cut costs otherwise.

You may not have to deprive yourself however. You may be overspending in some areas so much so that if you reduced those costs, dramatic belt tightening and sacrifices may not be required. What I am simply saying is that there may be better deals out there and that you are over spending where it may not be necessary. Let’s take a look!

You Have Not, Because You Ask Not

If I can get religious for a minute, in the bible book of James Chapter 4 and verse 2, it reads, “you have not, because you ask not.” Some people people often lack, or fail to receive what they desire from God simply because they never pray or ask God for what they desire.

What does that have to do with saving money? Here it is: in a recent Lending Tree survey, more than 80% of credit card holders who requested a lower interest rate were granted their request from their bank or lenders. I am not saying that your credit card vendor is God, quite the contrary! The principle here though is that you would not get it unless you ask! With the average credit card rate ranging as high as above 28%, why would you not ask for a lower rate? Whether you are carrying a monthly balance forward on your credit card or not it does not matter. Request a lower interest rate. And while you are at it, the same Lending Tree survey found that 95% of those who requested the annual card fee be waived or reduced were granted their request.

The Ask

Now I do not want you to be ignorant, as one writer puts it. When it comes to asking for what you want here are some strategies.
Before, you can ask, you should have conducted some research about the competition’s promotions and/or rates which can be used in your discussion with customer service. Indicate whether they can match competitors’ and let them know you do not want to switch vendors.

Timing is important and so for best results you should call early in the morning or late in the evening. During the day vendors are the busiest and you may not receive the best deal. Calling in the morning may allow customer service to spend more time with you, perhaps go over certain charges line by line and not be in a rush to process the next person waiting for services.

Finally, when you call the first representative may not offer much and that is because he or she may not be authorized to do so. What happens next in the conversation is to ask for their supervisor or the “ retention department.” If that fails, you should end the call or hang up and call again since the next representative may have more flexibility and authority to provide a better deal. Generally, I would say never accept the first offer, since it may not be the best. Once the offer has been agreed upon, that’s when you become an attorney and confirm the new rate in writing through an email. Be sure to keep notes regarding with whom you spoke, and check your next bill to confirm that the new rate is in effect.

Cable and Streaming Cost

These days it is easy to get caught up with additional streaming and cable fees because of automatic subscriptions renewal. Here is where you need to apply strategies such as the 30-30 day rule. Basically, it requires you to review your streaming and cable services every 30 days. If you have not used the service or plan to use it in the next 30 days, then you should cancel the service. There is no harm since you can sign up again later. In addition to the 30-30 day rule, you should conduct this practice annually if not twice each year. To help facilitate this, schedule reminders on your phone as to when annual subscriptions begin and end.

Loyalty Programs

The entire loyalty game is no longer as it was first advertised or purported to be. Loyalty. We were made to believe that having loyalty points and cards provide exclusive benefits for birthdays, rewards and coupons which add up to significant discounts. Today that is partially true, as signing up for email or text messages and using the vendors app provide even greater discounts.

What I am saying is that at checkout you may not get the best deals with your loyalty number. What you find today is that some app-only users from some providers are receiving discounts that are not available to loyalty customers. In other instances, loyalty customers who are also app users receive additional discounts. The idea here is not to cancel your loyalty programs, but to be more strategic in your spending approach in order to take advantage of those discounts.

WHAT’S UP! Today’s What’s Up is about fees. Ticket sellers for events charge 20-38% fees in addition to the event price. You can avoid these fees by visiting the box office in person or by using the platform TickPick which does not charge a fee on resales. One of the ways to avoid baggage fees is to use the vendor’s credit card or to have elite status on their frequent flyer travelers program. Finally, use your bank Zelle to transfer money for free instead of using Apps such as Paypal and Venmo that charge 1.78% to transfer money And that’s what’s up!

Ruthven R. Phillip, Esq., is a tax attorney, Stewardship and Philanthropy Ministry Assistant, and CEO of Give2Getrich, LLC. Give2Get Rich, LLC 2026 All Rights Reserved. Any distribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited.