U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Post

Multi-Best Selling New York Times Author Lynnette Khalfani-Cox aka The Money Coach, has done it again… with her latest book entitled “Bounce Back, the Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience” by Wiley Publishing, slated for release on January 1, 2024. The information in this book, can be your "North Star" in turning your life around after the COVID-19 Pandemic and other life changing events. I've been in this disaster and public health business a long time, and I've yet to come across a author or book that addresses the financial side of disaster resiliency and recovery before, during or after a pandemic. Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, has taken the charge to take this issue head-on and interviewed numerous experts in the fields of finance, health, etc.- including myself…read what I have to say about “Disaster Recovery in Chapter 8, starting on page 157. It's not a matter if a disaster will happen it, but when will a disaster happen. Having information like this at one's fingertips can truly make a difference. As a side note, if you're a CEO, HR Manager or a Nonprofit this is a great book to offer your employees, staff or even your clients. Helping you watch your community’s six, -Burt

Hello! Evergreen here. As we move through these colder days, there's a subject that keeps coming up, and that's how important it is to save money for emergencies. Because life can take unexpected turns, having an emergency fund is like having an umbrella in a storm. But it's not just about weathering financial storms, it's also about providing peace of mind. Think of it as your personal financial safety net, ready to catch you when things like car repairs, home emergencies, or sudden job changes happen. Being ready is important, so that unexpected events in life don't cause money problems. So, let us know how you save for emergencies? Do you have a clear plan or goal in mind? Are you having a hard time setting aside that extra money every month? Let's start talking! Talk about your plans, problems, and achievements. Remember, the Evergreen team is only a message away if you need help or don't know where to begin building your emergency fund. We want to help you build up that emergency fund, so you can handle life's bad days with peace of mind. #askevergreen #financialumbrella #emergencyfunds

One Way to Help Employees Build Emergency Savings

On today's webinar where we talked about the importance of improving our human capital. With 41% of US households struggling with inflation, especially food and gas prices, it's an issue we can't ignore. Instead of hoping for a 25-40% drop in home prices or a return to 3% interest rates, we should focus on something within our control: increasing our income. By investing in our skills and capabilities, we can better combat inflationary pressures. Simple things like writing more often, taking a few classes, volunteering, and tackling larger problems can help. Find ways to increase your earning potential. What has worked in the last 5 years may not work in the next 5. Realtors know this better than anyone, especially now. Things can change quickly.

As we navigate the challenges posed by the recent tragedy closing the Francis Scott Key Bridge, it's vital that our business community has access to the resources needed to mitigate this impact. The Maryland Department of Commerce has curated a selection of resources specifically designed to support businesses during this time. These resources offer financial guidance, operational support, and strategies for resilience to help our local businesses withstand this unexpected hurdle. Whether you're seeking immediate assistance or long-term recovery strategies, there's something to aid every affected business. Explore the available resources here: https://lnkd.in/entBYwkS #BusinessRecovery #FrancisScottKeyBridge #MarylandBusinessSupport #CommunityResilience #MarylandManufacturing

Imagine it's pouring rain outside, but you're cozy inside with a good book and a warm cup of tea. Now imagine a financial version of that. You don't know when disaster will strike. Maybe it’s a medical emergency, a job loss, or a global pandemic. But here’s what you can do to prepare: create a rainy day fund. Here's how to build one: 1. Figure out how much you need 2. Open a separate savings account 3. Set up automatic transfers 4. Prioritize your emergency fund 5. Celebrate reaching milestones When you have a safety net, you can ride out any storm. So, take advantage of sunny days by preparing for those rainy ones. Remember: it’s not a matter of “if” but of “when”.

Today, I am grateful. Why? It's a long story, but I tried to make it short. People have asked me recently, "Why are you suddenly so passionate about the restaurant employee experience now that you work at Harri?" Well... Six months ago today, my ex overdosed. He was terrible and downright abusive, but at the end of the day he was an addict. And he was diseased. I still don't think he deserved to die the way he did, despite everything. But, as a friend told me last night "playing the what if game only ends in tears. Especially folks like us, who suffer from very real control freak issues. Because, when WE do the 'what if thing' it's showing us how much lack of control we really have in this game called life." However, there is something that I learned from that experience. If I know someone or know of someone who is struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues and they are in the hospitality industry - I will always refer them to Giving Kitchen's Stability Network. Stephen was a bartender, host, and server for the better part of his life. And I wish I had thought of GK during the height of things, but thinking back, I know it wouldn't have helped like the two times I helped send him to rehab didn't. That being said, there are many others in the industry struggling currently so, for what I didn't do for him - I can now do for others. And that is to be an advocate for my brothers & sisters in hospitality who need help but (a) don't know where to look, (b) think getting help will break the bank, or (c) a mix of the two so they just... don't. That's where Giving Kitchen's Stability Network comes in. Now, GK has a special place very, very near to my heart for multiple reasons. But two of the main reasons are: 💪🏾 They've fought for the betterment of the frontline worker experience since day one with this incredibly powerful network of resources for workers, managers, and leaders to fall back on in times of need. 👫🏾 Their Emergency Assistance Fund is financially backed not only by charitable patrons of the hospitality industry, but also by their industry peers. That's right, it's created for hospitality by hospitality. So incredibly powerful. So incredibly proud of the work they've done. So happy that they broke a record this prior giving season with over $2m raised. And that's due not only to the work of Shelley, Sean, Kaitlynn, Kristie and the other wonderful people on their team - but also because of the folks on and surrounding the frontline everyday. Hug your loved ones especially hard today and tell them you love them. If you know of anyone in or around the industry who is struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues - extra love is due. And this link:

Finances are not the measure of our worth. But how we handle our finances will impact the legacy we leave. #LiveWell #LeaveWell #ThrivingFamilyLegacy https://lnkd.in/eSgYqXj

Emergency Fund Challenge: Are You Prepared? Life throws curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs come with a hefty price tag. That's why having a well-funded emergency fund is crucial for financial security. **But how much is enough? ** HimanshuGyan LLP is challenging YOU to assess your emergency fund preparedness! Here's the challenge: 🔸 Estimate your monthly expenses: Think about essentials like rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, etc. 🔸 Consider potential emergencies: Car repairs, medical bills, unexpected job loss, etc. 🔸 Multiply your monthly expenses by the ideal number of months of coverage in your emergency fund. This can range from 3-6 months, depending on your comfort level and risk tolerance. Now, compare that number to your current emergency fund balance. Feeling a little light? Here are some tips to get you started: 🔸 Set a realistic savings goal and automate transfers to your emergency fund. 🔸 Review your budget and identify areas where you can cut back on non-essential spending. 🔸 Consider a side hustle to generate additional income for your emergency fund. Let's discuss in the comments! 🔸 What's your ideal number of months of emergency fund coverage? 🔸 Share your best tips for building a healthy emergency fund. Together, let's build financial resilience and weather life's storms with confidence! #HimanshuGyan #emergencyfundchallenge #financialplanning #peaceofmind

Sanlam introduces free funeral cover for children under 7 In a strategic move towards fortifying financial confidence for future generations, Sanlam has unveiled a new offering that allows parents to secure Funeral Cover for their children under the age of 7 at absolutely no cost. This initiative is aligned with Sanlam's steadfast commitment to helping clients and families achieve enduring financial confidence. In a compassionate effort to support families during challenging times, Sanlam is extending this added value to help ease the financial burden associated with unexpected circumstances. This ground-breaking initiative reflects our commitment to providing comprehensive and empathetic services to our community. Irvin G W Möller, General Manager: Entry Level Market, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, "At Sanlam, we are dedicated to supporting our clients in their financial journey, ensuring a secure future for generations to come. With this new offering, parents can live with confidence, knowing that their little ones are covered at no cost, helping build a legacy of financial security." https://lnkd.in/dGe2vkP4