I am an online publicist for a major publishing company and in addition to that I have published  financial articles  for  Black Enterprise magazine and
Blackenterprise.com. In March 2006 I went down to New Orleans and videotaped my experiences. I am working on bringing those photos and videos to you shortly at http://www.CandaceWaller.com.

Working for a financial magazine and insurance company gave me insight and a comfort level with dealing with money issues.  The most important lessons that I learned is that money isn't a complicated issue that needs to be avoided. Unfortunately most people do not take proactive steps to ensure financial responsibility and growth. It is not enough to sit on the sidelines and let others make important financial decisions for you.

The media is filled with reports of how sad state of social security and that is scaring lots of people. I choose to use my own fears about my financial futures to take steps to make sure that I can retire and live reasonably well in my golden years and pursue my other
passion of publishing my novel and screenplay.

As a child my father would give me spare change so that I could start a savings account through my school. I was only about 6 but I learned valuable lessons about investing and putting money aside for a rainy day.
 
Those lessons helped me get through the difficult days ahead when I really had to be creative with my finances. I graduated from Rutgers University/Douglass College with no loans but I was not able to find a full time positions. I am also the survivor of several
job separations in this explosive and unstable job market. However I was able to maintain my savings, investments and uphold my good credit rating through financial savvy and a lot of prayer. The secret to my success is that I took proactive steps to grow and maintain my finances.

My grandmother used to say that common sense is not so common and when I see the financial problems peers and family members I know she was right. It is important that people especially the younger generation start making some drastic changes in their spending and saving habits.

The first step I took was donating 10 percent of my earnings to a charity. Tithing accomplished two goals for me. It allowed me to help others and taught me fiscal responsibility. Once I got these lessons down I started looking at other ways that I could save money and invest. I walked more and used my car less. I clipped and used coupons. I shopped at thrift and consignment stores, I brought my lunch and snacks to
the office at least twice a week and most importantly I budgeted. Budget is a dirty word for some but when I forced myself to use a budget I was able to find more ways to save.

I did not have thousands to invest so I started with $5 a week and then when I got comfortable with that I saved $10. My money was able to grow through compounding. Once I committed to saving a certain amount I did not touch the money and I quickly saw gains. My father always said it was not what you earned but what you saved that was important. There
are far too many of us living beyond our salaries.

The articles I hope to produce will focus on saving tips and financial planning. These articles will contain general information. Readers should consult their attorneys, tax advisor or financial planner for specific tax advice. Feel free to write to me if you would like
to see another topic covered and I will try to accommodate the request.

Candace Waller is looking to publish her first novel What Goes Around, Comes Around and screenplay based on this book in the very near future.