What Does Thelma From "Good Times" Says About Your Finances!

Photo Credit: www.thelmaofgoodtimes.com

After I watched the TV One special on Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma from the TV show Good Times), I told my sister I wanted Mrs. Stanis finance book for Christmas. I love to travel. I needed to keep my finances in order if I want to continue to travel and at the same time save for Retirement.

Finances: The Good, The Bad...and The Ugly is written by Bern Nadette Stanis with Trent T. Daniel. For those who grew up in the 70's and early 80's you felt like you knew Thelma from watching her on Good Times. She was like your sister or girlfriend. And who wouldn't like to hear the advice as to how to increase your credit score, stop overspending by you or your spouse/significant other, and having money in the bank by saving for your retirement. I think I've said that enough on this blog about the need to save for retirement. If you don't listen to me, listen to Thelma from Good Times.

I know I read it before Christmas, but I'm at the beach in South Carolina. The book was a quick read while enjoying the beautiful view and listening to the sound of the ocean.

As a bonus, this book provides actual letter examples as to how to dispute incorrect information on your credit report and dealing with collection agencies constant phone calls.

You can follow Thelma at her website http://thelmaofgoodtimes.com/ and Facebook.

Which One Are You: The Jeffersons or The Evans?

The NiA theatre group got the Financial workshop series "Growing Savers" started by singing, acting, screening a money webseries, and getting the audience involved to not be afraid to talk about moneY. Why the emphasis on the Y? Are you using your money and Movin' On Up like The Jeffersons or are you struggling like the Evans on Good Times?

The first of a five part series was held in Columbia, SC by the Richland County Public Library (RCPL). They wrote and received a grant that involved the NiA theatre group and bringing in three financial panelists.

Photo from www.blogs.wsj.com

Photo from www.tvtropes.org

The NiA group had the audience warmed up with the song Summer Time from the play Porgy and Bess, the TV show The Jeffersons "Movin' On Up" Theme song, and reminiscing about the TV show Good Times.

Hosted by WIS anchor  Judi Gatson.

                           Highlights:

• Don't Borrow from your IRA - Unless it is for Education or Homeownership. Not for hardship for being unemployed. 
• FICO Score - You need to know your Score. Being late one time after years of on time payment will ding your score.
• Identity Theft - Don't have your SSN on you (purse, wallet, etc). Most Military cards have taken SSN off, but not Medicare cards. It needs to change. Press charges, even if it is a family member stealing your identity.
• Just Do It - SAVE, even if it is $5 per month from your paycheck
• No payday loans - You need to get out of this circle. It's very hard when 85% of your income goes to your everyday expenses.

Congrats to the RCPL on writing and receiving this grant. It is of great service to the Richland County community.

Four more upcoming workshops:  Saving and Budgeting, Credit, Retirement, and Investing will be held at the Library October 10, 17, 20, and 24.

www.myRCPL.com for more info.

So which one are you? Are you money savvy by investing, saving, and/or growing a business like The Jeffersons or are you living pay check to pay check like the Evans on Good Times? I would love to hear from you. Comment below.

Rhonda W.