Money Method: Roth IRA for Beginners

(Photo created by TCsViews)

So you finally got that job with healthcare benefits and a 401(k) retirement savings plan.  The only thing about that 401(k) is that your company does not contribute a single dollar to your retirement. 

After the economy took a severe turn for the worse in the early 2000s, several corporations put a freeze on their 401(k) match and some have yet to reinstate their contributions. Most companies are waiting for their bottom lines to show signs of improvement before they even consider offering any type of 401(k) match.

But why do you have to wait to save for retirement? Why not find an alternative or a backup plan to add to your retirement nest egg? How about making your own contribution to a Roth IRA? The following are six things to know to help you get started.  

Holistic Care vs Conventional Medicine

(Kelarius Finex)

The holistic health profession is on the rise. Many Americans are seeking out holistic and spiritual healers as an alternative to cure their ailments without subjecting their bodies to possible side effects from prescription drugs and going under the knife on the operating table. But how do you know when it's time to seek conventional medical care vs holistic care?

In the ninth episode of Better Said Than Written, I had an opportunity to sit down with Holistic Health Practitioner, Kelarius Finex*, to discuss the benefits of holistic care and knowing when to seek medical treatment. 

Click the blue play button to take a listen …




Podcast Details:

Fashion Friday: Lovin' Yellow

(Day at the Office Outfit: Full description below) 

Yellow is not the color for everyone but when paired with the right colors and style, yellow can brighten up anyone’s spring day. 

I’ll admit that I saw the color coming for several months now. During the fall of 2014, I noticed different shades of sunny side up peeking out here and there. But it was the spring fashion 2015 fashion shows that really put my fashion intuition to rest. Take a look at Lubov Azria, Delpozo, Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and Herve Leger’s spring collection to see for yourself. 

Unfortunately, TC’s Clozet isn't flushed with high-end lemon colored threads from 2015’s spring catwalk, but it is filled with a range of designers from various boutiques, trendy retailers, vintage shops, discount high-end retailers, and pre-owned apparels from my fashionista friends. 

This week's Fashion Friday outfit has a mix of yellow, green and gray. Yes, gray. I've been told that gray isn't a spring color and it’s more suitable for winter. When I checked the law books on fashion, I couldn't find anything that said I had to pack away my gray garments for the spring. (More on that in the next Fashion Friday post.)

So, are you lovin’ yellow as much as I am? Share your comments and pictures below. If Instagram is more your style, tag me in your sunshine looks at @TCsViews so I can check you out! 

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Day at the Office Outfit

Pre-owned Cardigan: British mail order retailer Boden ~ Acquired from my friend Kim. 

Gray ¾ in sleeve top: H&M

Pleated Skirt: H&M ~ As you can see ... it has pockets!  

Shoes: Nine West ~ You’ll see me in a lot of shoes from Nine West because, well, they are my favorite brand. I’ll write a blog post on them one of these days

Earrings: My friend left them at my house a few years ago, and they've been in my possession ever since.

Prescription Glasses: Warby Parker

Hair: Beauty House of TamYams ~ Natural Curls constructed with shea butter, coconut oil and EcoStyler gel

Related stories: All in the Color Palette

The Enigma and Allure in Baltimore

Welcome back to Better Said Than Written, the podcast supplement of Artz of Culturez where I make a personal connection with today's trending topics.

In this episode I tried to wrap my head around what's taking place in Baltimore, Md. With the help of Emrld Swmp's member, universe, I was able to get a different perspective from a poem he shared for the people of Baltimore. 

Normally, you would just click the green play button below to hear my take and the poem, but in this installment, I decided to include my write up, which includes the identity of the police officers who were responsible for Freddie Gray's death. 

When America first got wind of Freddie Gray's death by the hands of Baltimore police officers, some citizens were convinced that his death was another case of racism. However, as I mentioned in a previous post, some people of Baltimore believes Gray's death has nothing to do with race but instead class. (see: Baltimore: It's Not About Race)

The word classism is defined as – prejudice or discrimination based on class. And according to classism.org, classism is held in place by a system of beliefs and cultural attitudes that ranks people according to economic status, family lineage, job status, level of education, and other divisions. This sounds about right in the story I initially alerted you to that Steve Inskeep shared on NPR.

Baltimore's chief prosecutors has since charged the officers with the death of Gray. Once the six police officers identities were revealed, most critics became silent about the talk of racism.

Fashion Friday: All in the Color Palette

(Day at the Office Outfit)

Depending on the shade of your skin, you can pull off wearing almost any primary color. As you can see I've got quite a few colors in this spring day at the office outfit.

A colleague of mine has been trying to encourage one of his fair skin co-workers, who I will call Drew, to break out of wearing solid black all the time. I then informed my colleague that Drew may have to find a color palette that suits her because spring colors like yellow, orange and certain shades of pastel blue will make her look washed out and may clash with her blonde hair.

I even have colors that I'm hesitant of wearing. Midnight blue, coffee brown and eggplant are colors that makes me look drab. However, I try to brighten dark colored outfits with accessories from earrings, to fashion statement necklaces, multi patterned socks and right down to the shoes! Who says you have to wear black shoes with every dark outfit?

So what colors on your palette makes your complexion pop? Share your comments and pics below. If Instagram is more your style be sure to tag @tcsviews in your posts.

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Day at the Office Outfit

(Cardigan Tag)

• Belt: Style Haven 'Vintage' Boutique
• Cardigan: I totally forgot... But here's the tag I found inside
• Dress: Forever 21
• Shoes: Nine West Outlet
• Earrings: H&M
• Hair: Beauty House of TamYams - Natural curls constructed with Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding