by Altimese Nichole | Feb 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
An unfortunate reality centers around the need for higher education in America and the lack of resources and support around educating students (and alumni) about student loan debt. it is the responsibility for the borrower of the student loans to learn the various outlets, payment plans, and resources available to them.
For people like me, I have both private and federally funded student loans. Federal loans are regulated by the government and often have lower rates and loan forgiveness plans for respective fields. Private loans are at the discretion of the lender and often vary through the terms and conditions within the loans.
Some people accept that student loans are a part of life and plan to pay them for the rest of their lives; I refuse to be one of them. As crazy as it sounds, I’ve always declared that I will be free from student loan debt– or all debt for that matter. As I began my journey last year, I found out some things that are truly eye-opening, and worth sharing with you.
Student loans can never be included in a bankruptcy.
Contrary to all other forms of debt, by law student loans can never be forgiven into any form of bankruptcy. They are also transferrable after death (which will be noted within the terms and conditions). This means that for some, family members and loved ones will be responsible for your debt after you die.
Private Loan interests can roll into the principal amount, and it’s legal.
When I originally signed for my loans– my collective amount for undergrad was approximately 35K. during my forbearance period after graduation, the principal grew from 35K to 55K. How in the world did that happen?! Well, during forbearance periods after graduation, the maximum amount of interest accrues on the loans. Once your forbearance period is over, the lender can transfer your interest amount to the principal, essentially securing the payment of that interest for that time given. The worst thing anyone can do is continue to place student loans in forbearance when they have the funds to pay them. It will only hurt you in the long run.
Co-signers can be released.
After you have paid your loans for some time and have made on-time payments, borrowers can request the lender to release the co-signer from the responsibility of the loan. There are quite a few required steps to make this happen (like an age requirement, credit check, proof of income, etc.) but it’s worth investigating. Im sure the co-signer will be grateful.
Loan consolidation is not always best
With student loans, borrowers can consolidate (also called refinance) student loans ONE time during the lifetime of the loan. Most decide to do that to minimize the multiple interest rates, which can ultimately lower the monthly payment. For those who want to pay the loans off before the expected term end date, loan consolidation may not be best. Why? With a large loan amount, it’s much harder to pay that off vs. multiple small loans. It’s easier to see a “light” at the end of the tunnel if you’re focusing on paying off a student loan of 10K instead of a large loan of 80K. If you go this route, always tackle your lowest loan first and use the Dave Ramsey Domino effect and move to your next loan to pay off.
Student loan debt doesn’t have to be a part of our lives for the rest of our lives (and potentially the remaining lives of your loved ones). Be proactive and get educated on the options that are available to you!
Do you have any additional tips to share?
XOXO
by Torrie Oglesby | Feb 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
As you recall, I urged us all to focus on African-American literature for the month of February in my latest article. I wanted to share a review on a book I’ve recently finished written by the legendary Toni Morrison. God Help the Child is a historical literary fiction novel, centered on a dark skinned girl who calls herself Bride. Throughout the novel you see her life unfold and you get multiple perspectives from different characters. This novel is a heavy read that focuses on social issues, identity issues, relationships with ourselves and how that ultimately shapes the relationships in which we have with others. Toni Morrison does a remarkable job in pushing the plot forward and developing the characters swiftly while not rushing any aspect of the story, in a short 178 page novel.
Not every novel you read affects you, however, this was the second fictional book that I’ve read this year that I was annotating, highlighting, and was forced to stop and think about the simplest sentences that Toni arranged. As an author, Toni has a way of pulling the reader in and making the reader question social issues, personal issues, and issues within races and sexual classes. This novel made me cry, made me raise my eyebrows and even gave me the chills at certain parts.
I’m going to tell you guys what I told my two best friends, if you only read one book this year, have it be Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child. I will warn you again, it is heavy and deals with a lot of trigger issues, but they are issues that need to be brought to the light and discussed. If you are willing to dive into the conversation that Toni Morrison is stirring up with this book, please pick up your copy! And if you have already read this book, tell me your thoughts in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!
torrie o.
by Altimese Nichole | Feb 9, 2016 | Learn + Grow
In the corporate world, having to deal with a hostile or difficult work environment is inevitable. The longer we work with others, the more apparent our differences become. The differences are not a bad thing but how we respond to them can be. Here are the 3 R’s to practice when dealing with a difficult work environment:
- Reflect upon your actions first.
When faced with conflict, it’s easy to play the blame game. “Why are they doing this to me? What did I do to them? Because of them, I can’t.” Sound familiar? Before seeking fault, look within yourself and see what you could possibly do to bring light to the situation. Often times, people resist change and the things (or people) they don’t understand— or can most associate with. We tend to have a lot in common with the people who irritate us the most. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but its worth considering before pointing out the flaws of another person.
- Remember your WHY.
Think of all of your dreams, desires, and goals. Now think of your family and where you envision yourself being 5 years from now. What does that picture look like? Does your workplace align with that vision? If so, remember your WHY. Along with great reward comes great responsibility. The adversity is simply preparing you for the greatness ahead (the resilience you will need once you get there). This very moment is preparing your for something, don’t fight against it. Ironically, when you begin to see it from this lens– the issues with co-workers begin to disappear, simply because it’s not important. Every company has office politics; it’s our job to find the one that we can deal with while striving for our goals . If your job doesn’t align with your WHY, run quickly to find one that does. We all have one life to live– why waste time outside of purpose? The only person dictating your career is YOU. Take ownership of your title as CEO of your life– and do what you must to get where you should be.
- Rise Above
Remember, “Birds of a feather flock together; Eagles soar alone.” Even in the midst of injustice, we must push past our desire to be understood and heard– and rise above. Take the high road and using prayer and kindness as your weapon of choice. Is this hard to do? Absolutely. Is it still necessary. Absolutely. People are always watching and its often people you least expect. The ignorance, pettiness, and gossip within the workplace is not worth stepping out of character. Rise above it all.
When you’re faced with workplace annoyances; Reflect, Remember and Rise.
Do you have any additional tips for dealing with a difficult or hostile work environment?
Share your insight with us!
XOXO
by Altimese Nichole | Feb 9, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Let me first start by saying the author, Rachel Macy Stafford, has a beautiful way with words and how she conveys her message to her readers. As a wife and mother, you hear her adoration and gratitude toward the precious gifts in her life called family. She has a way within her writing that will make you say “hmmm,” and pause for reflection. Her ability to do this make her book very intriguing and a great read within itself.
The book is written while she captured her journey to become hands free, which simply means to release control in life and open our hearts to the beauty of what is. Although I am a wife, I have not ventured into the journey of motherhood yet. So, there were a lot of things that she addressed that would be extremely beneficial to busy moms who crave to not miss the special moments. She address habits of setting boundaries, living in the present, give what matters, and more.
If you’re preparing to be a mother, a new mom, or have been on the journey of motherhood for some time now, this book would definitely inspire you to embrace every moment with gratitude and with the need of less control.
Have you read this book? If so, tell us what you think!
XOXO
by Torrie Oglesby | Feb 2, 2016 | Learn + Grow
February is Black History Month! While this month is controversial, I prefer finding the good and celebrating African-American history regardless of others opinions on the month! One way, that I’m incorporating African-American history in my month of February is taking a look at African-American literature! I’m an avid reader, however last year I realized that I tend to stay within certain genre’s and never explore other genres. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been intentionally buying books that are outside of my ordinary book buys, a lot being African-American literature based and I’ve been so blessed by reading outside of my norm that I wanted to encourage you guys to read outside of the lines that you have created for yourself as well.
This month, let’s try to focus on African-American literature. From classic like The Color Purple by Alice Walker to newbies like our latest feature in You Should Know Her, Author CP Patrick’s Awiti. If you pick up a book this month, at least have one that is based on African-American history to educate and empower yourself. Below I have created a list of 10 books, some fiction, some autobiographical, that you can start with if you happen to be at a complete lost! If you read or have read any of these, let us know in the comments your thoughts and opinions on the books! Happy reading!
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelo
- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gains
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coats
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- God Help The Child by Toni Morrison
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
by Torrie Oglesby | Jan 23, 2016 | Learn + Grow
CP Patrick is a dare-devil, a dreamer, a doer, a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a woman that you need to know. She exudes confidence, power, love and womanhood! I met her through her Instagram and immediately knew that this was a woman I wanted to know and be by, in order that her amazingness might rub off on me. After liking all her posts for about a year, I finally decided to reach out to her! Read on to learn more about the spectacular creation that is Author CP Patrick.
- Tell us about your life before becoming a full-time writer?
Before I became a full-time writer, my life was crazy! I worked as a Policy Advisor for the US Department of Energy. Our office was tasked with some of the White House’s top priorities, so it was intense. I would work my full-time job, come home in the evening, and do what I call the family time-dinner-nighttime shuffle. Once everyone was in bed, I would go into my office and write until 2am. Crazy! And not very healthy.
- Quitting your job had to be frightening! What were some liberating parts of it, and what were some hard parts?
Quitting my full-time job was indeed scary because I had worked in the energy sector for the past ten years. Energy policy was very familiar, whereas writing was this new venture. I had so much to learn, especially as an indie author. But I just felt like it was exactly what I supposed to be doing—writing fiction and fantasy about the African diaspora. I had never been happier, so I decided to take the leap. The most liberating part was Waking up and realizing that I had done it. I was following my heart and doing something that I was passionate about, something that gave me so much joy. I kind of felt like a rock star. 🙂 The hardest part was the first two weeks after I left my job—there was no automatic paycheck. It was real. Lol
- What was the breaking point? What made you finally choose your passion over everything else?
Well, the breaking point sort of had this momentum. I published The Truth About Awiti in March 2015. Then it made Amazon’s Best Sellers List in April. By May I had an agent. And throughout there were book clubs and speaking engagements, and with every event I just felt more and more certain this was my destiny. And I was tired. I was really tired working full time and writing. I knew I couldn’t keep going at the same hectic pace. If had to choose one, I knew it would definitely be writing. When I spoke with my husband about it, he actually said, “I knew this was coming.” And then he encouraged me to go for it (because he’s so wonderful. I’m very blessed to have such a supportive spouse).
- What made you so passionate about African-American history, and how in the world did you decide you wanted to mix that with fantasy in your debut novel?
It’s funny because while I have a JD, I also have a BA and MA in African and African-American Studies. Not many people know that because of my career in law and policy. But I have always been passionate about the history and people of the African diaspora. I actually discovered the premise for The Truth About Awiti in graduate school. It was the first time I heard the theory of the spirits of slaves being embodied in the winds of hurricanes. Because I love fiction, fantasy, and folklore, that theory always stuck with me. I decided to write The Truth About Awiti as part of National Novel Writing Month 2014. And here we are!
- Take us through a day in your life. How does it start? What’s in between, and how do you finish your song of the day?
I live the life of a creative—there is no schedule! Just kidding. The mornings and evenings are pretty much the same. I try and wake up before my husband and daughter to have a little “me” time. So that’s 5:30am–6:00am. I recently started the devotional Thirty-One Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and the Doer by Jenn Sprinkle and Kelly Rucker. It’s wonderful. Then it’s time for breakfast and getting my family out the door by 7am. Between 7am–4pm, anything goes—social media, photo shoots, responding to emails, marketing, taking a much-needed nap, meetings/discussions with other authors, and of course, writing and editing. It’s amazing how quickly the time flies by. 4pm–9pm is devoted to dinner, family time, and occasionally, a deadline or two. Then at 9pm I catch up on anything I needed to respond to between 4pm and 9pm. I try really hard to get in bed by 10, but some days it just doesn’t happen. But I can always take a nap the next day if I need to. I’m big on naps. 😉
- Who has been your biggest inspiration in life?
I know it sounds cliché, but my mother. She’s so cute, funny, and amazing. I could just eat her up with a spoon! And elderly women in general. I don’t know how they did it back in the day! With less resources and what not. I remember complaining to my mother one night about how tired I was, and she said, “Umph! Your generation has it so much easier. You don’t even have to cut your own lettuce!” Of course, I went and looked in our refrigerator, and we had bagged salad. I couldn’t stop laughing.
- What has been your biggest struggle in life, and how has it made you who you are today?
I think my biggest struggle has been discovering God’s purpose for my life. I think we hear His voice early on but then something happens where we are discouraged or afraid to pursue the thing He’s placed in us to do. Then, when we finally step into it, it’s this crazy and exciting rollercoaster of blessings and opportunities. Even the disappointments are exciting because you know they are part of His plan. It’s not a coincidence that I have a strong educational background in African and African-American Studies. This was His purpose all along, but perhaps I had to go through the painful and difficult times to understand and appreciate my calling. I’ve finally found it! Writing fiction and fantasy interwoven with the African diaspora experience was placed on my heart a long time ago. And it’s just like in The Alchemist— when you truly want something with all your heart, all the world conspires to help you achieve it.
- What is your advice to all our #GIRLBOSS readers?
My advice for girl bosses is stop thinking so much about what can go wrong. Instead, focus on what can go right. Phenomenal women have blazed a path to greatness so follow their lead. And don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.
![STRONG, Inc. [Simple Transitions Render Opportunity Necessary For Growth]](https://www.knowyourstrong.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NewLogo.png)
Recent Comments