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Would You Take an Eight Month Paid Vacation?

admin — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:33:52 +0000

The Trump administration is offering almost every federal worker the “deal of a lifetime” with the Deferred Resignation program. The letter titled “A Fork In the Road” sent out by the Office of Personnel Management, had an amount of candor not normally used by a federal agency.

Some of it’s greatest hits include:

“The federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work.”

“Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination.”

“At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.”
OPM Fork in the Road

They are making it astonishingly easy to resign:

“Upon review of the below deferred resignation letter, if you wish to resign:
1) Select “Reply” to this email. You must reply from your government account. A reply from an account other than your .gov or .mil account will not be accepted.
2) Type the word “Resign” into the body of this reply email. Hit “Send”.

And this doozy from the FAQs about getting a job while on deferred resignation

“The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector.”

The letter offered the employee a chance to resign but still collect a paycheck and benefits until September 30^th, 2025.

The administration says that over 65,000 workers have accepted this deal so far, although a federal judge has halted the program until lawsuits from unions and other interested parties can be sorted out.

The program comes with lots of questions and a rare opportunity to imagine a paid break from working. We (Monica and Shawn) got on the mics to discuss things to consider when deciding if you should take this deal.

Can you return to the government in the future? (Good news the FAQ says yes!) And will you retain your status, meaning if you left as a G11, will you be able to return as one?
What will you do with your eightish months of free time?
How can you use your skills to find other work in another area?
Do you want one less Native person representing in the federal government?*

*That last on is a bit of a guilt trip.

What would you do with your free time?

Shawn says he would probably do chores around the house and maybe finally build his daughter a tree house.

Monica says she would travel, likely start and not finish some crochet project and then panic and go get a new job.

Whatever the decision, it’s always a good idea to think through your choice, and weigh the pros and cons.

Here’s a sheet to get you started:

Pros and Cons to Staying or Resigning

Ready Made Side Hustle?

admin — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:06:42 +0000

Episode 7: Multi-level Marketing, what we really think

It starts with a direct message, maybe from someone you know or just a random social media friend. They have an opportunity for you! It’s going to make a lot of money!

Your new best friend wants you to join their multi-level marketing (MLM), network marketing, or direct marketing business. Some more well know MLMs include Avon, Mary Kay, Amway and Herbalife. The concept is fairly simple, sell a one of a kind product to people in your circle, and get them to sell to people in their circle. But let’s see what the Federal Trade Commission has to say about MLMs.

That’s right, most people don’t make any money from MLMs, and some even take a loss! That’s also what AARP Foundation found in their 2018 study of multi-level marketing.

In this episode Shawn and Monica share their thoughts MLMs and the questions you should ask yourself before getting into one.

New Episode!

admin — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 02:05:34 +0000

Monica and Shawn are back with an episode all about student loans. The Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan which would have forgiven up to $20,000 for federal student loan borrowers. We recorded the episode before the news, but our predictions were correct.

In this episode we cover student loan forgiveness plans, scams, if you should take out student loans to begin with and a new segment called Stupid Stuff People spend their money on. Shawn thinks it is bottled water and Monica thinks it’s exotic pets.

Here’s the links and other useful information from the show:

Legit Student Loan Forgiveness Information

Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

A wild cat was found in Cincinnati with cocaine in its system : NPR

Best pie recipe

Listen to the episode!

Music: It’s Not Over ‘Til The Bossa Nova by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Episode 6-We’re back!

admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 03:27:13 +0000

After a short break (only 2 years!) Shawn and Monica are back with the podcast! In this episode we catch up on our lives during the pandemic and past two years. We also talk about inflation and how to keep your grocery bill low. Hint: the key is planning ahead. Monica gives her annual rant on paying for tax prep services. See links below for places to do your taxes for free or low cost. We also give our list of upcoming show topics we’d like to cover. Enjoy!

IRS Website to file taxes for free (income limits)

Cheap and easy meal plans:

WE SPENT $25 A WEEK ON FOOD. HERE’S WHAT WE ATE.

ONE WEEK $50 MEAL PLAN FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR

Episode 5: Organize your life, organize your finances

admin — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 19:19:54 +0000

In this episode, Monica confesses to Shawn that she is a mess. When it comes to keeping papers organized, she uses the box method. Fill up papers in random boxes, then about three times a year go through those boxes and file everything, unless something is needed sooner. Keeping your papers organized can make a big difference in keeping your finances in order. Also in this episode tips for getting papers in order, a story of theft and a banking nightmare, and when to call it quits and file for bankruptcy.

from Imgflip Meme Generator

3-2-1 Backup Rule

Episode 4- The one where you get an emergency fund

admin — Sat, 23 May 2020 22:35:24 +0000

Listen to episode 4!

Everyone should have some kind of emergency fund, a stash of money to deal with broken down cars, or any number of unexpected expenses. This crisis that we are in right now is the prime example. If you can’t make ends meet right now, worry about putting together an emergency fund later. But when this is over, instead of going out and shopping because you can, put that money into an emergency fund.

We recorded this episode before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the advice is still solid. Here’s what Dave Ramsey has to say about emergency funds. He recommends getting $1000.00 to start while you are paying off debt. After that, you need to save 3-6 months of expenses.

What is an emergency?

It can be hard to know when it’s ok to use your emergency fund. Take this quiz to see what counts as an emergency and what doesn’t.

Here’s a few online savings accounts you can start today with a low balance requirement

You don’t use the savings account to earn money, so don’t worry about the interest. The point is to have money in a separate place, that you can get to for emergencies, but don’t use for everyday things.

No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balances.
Access to over 43,000 free ATMs via checking or money market accounts.
An above-average 1.25% APY on savings.

1.30% APY on savings
No minimum opening deposits for savings or CDs.
$5 nonsufficient funds fee

American Express

COVID-19 Scammers

admin — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 02:45:57 +0000

As if we don’t have enough stress right now, scammers have a whole new crop of frauds related to the COVID-19 (also called coronavirus) pandemic. I’d really like to know how it works. Does a scam crew get together and the boss says “I need 15 new coronavirus scams right now, there’s no bad ideas, let’s go!”

Anyway Shawn and I are bringing you another podcast extra on these new scams that are popping up. We talk about a number of ones that are floating around, including the grandparent scam with a COVID twist, stimulus check scams and predatory lending, medical equipment scams and of course good old snake oil, cure scams. I talked with someone from the FBI in Albuquerque about what they are keeping an eye on. I’m guessing he looks like either one of these guys.

Just a note, Shawn recorded his part in North Carolina at home, and I recorded mine in New Mexico. We tried to make it sound like we were together. But let’s just say one of us works in radio and one of us does not. Enjoy!

Podcast extra, COVID 19 scams

Helpful resources:

FBI Urges Vigilance During COVID-19 Pandemic

Podcast Extra: Budgeting During COVID-19

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 01:39:54 +0000

Shawn and Monica put together a quick special about managing your money through this crisis. Topics covered:

Stimulus package and what that means for you

How to prioritize what gets paid first

Unemployment

Student loans

Overspending and hoarding

And we answer one caller’s question about the financial benefits of being single or shacked up during this crisis.

Natives on a Budget Podcast Extra

Budgeting During COVID-19

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 01:54:08 +0000

by: Monica Braine

First of all, don’t panic! Our ancestors didn’t survive all of this for us to lose our minds in a consumer driven nightmare of toilet paper and masks. I’ll admit, I bought some toilet paper, but it was because I was low. And I did look for rubbing alcohol because recipes for hand sanitizer call for it along with aloe vera gel. I’ve collected about 4 bottles over the years, I get a sunburn because I think I’m tough and don’t need sunscreen and then end up burnt and cryin around. But I digress. Here are some quick tips for managing through this, whether your job sent you home and won’t pay you or an event like Gathering of Nations was cancelled and you are a vendor.

Tip #1 Continue budgeting your money and adjust accordingly. If you did overspend on groceries or TP, don’t beat yourself up. Groupthink is real. Don’t use this current crisis as an opportunity to throw out your financial goals.

Tip #2 If you are struggling financially, this is the time to reach out to your family and friends and other resources to get you through. Make yourself a list of possible places/people to get/borrow money that aren’t payday or title loans. See if your tribe is doing an advance on a percap, if you get one. Check out a Native CDFI in your area and see if they are lending to individuals. Make sure you are comfortable with the terms and are pretty sure you can pay it back without big penalties. Try to pick up a side hustle through this, selling food and delivering it to people’s houses is a good one right now. If you’re an artist announce a COVID-19 sale. People will sympathize. Johnnie Jae (Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw) of a Tribe Called Geek paid off over $8460.98 of medical debt by selling designed t-shirts. Artist Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva) also uses this model with her Tongva t-shirts.

Email us your side hustle and we’ll add it to the list! nativesonabudget@gmail.com

Tip #3 Check on your elders. We already do this, but it’s a good reminder. Some of our elders are already isolated. A good phone call or quick trip to see them if you are able and not sick can go a long way towards helping get through this emotionally. And it will help you get your mind off your own issues. Particularly if you have the habit of buying things when you are stressed. Ask them about the old times, get a language lesson, or catch up on the family gossip.

Tip #4 Brush up on those cooking skills! Eating at home is a great way to save money and avoid public places. It’s a good time to start the 2020 No Eating Out Challenge. Also check out these two talented Native food experts. They have ideas for cooking!

Mariah Gladstone’s (Blackfeet) IndigiKitchen has cooking videos and recipes.

Check out Brian Yazzie’s YouTube for more ideas!

Tip #5 Remember winter always turns to spring. This will pass, hopefully without a too much damage. We are resilient people who have survived a lot. Let’s take care of each other, put aside our squabbles and really try to help each other. Once we get through this, it’s a good time evaluate if you have enough in your emergency fund (or one at all). The goal of Natives on a Budget is to help you manage your finances in a way that isn’t crisis based. We can do this! Shawn and Monica have your back!

Episode 3- Spending plans: from fanny packs to extra lives in Candy Crush

admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 03:26:56 +0000

Natives on a Budget Episode 3

In episode 3 we’re talking about spending plans. There are a number of ways to track your spending, we’ve got a list of apps below. Since getting started can be a chore, we recommend you either spend one month tracking all you spending with pen and paper or pick one category like entertainment and track in that area.

Shawn recommends the 50/30/20 rule. 50 percent of your spending is on fixed expenses, 30 percent is on flexible and 20 percent goes to saving. He also insisted that fanny packs are back in, Monica disagrees.

We also talk about the dumbest things we’ve spent our money on, and if coupons are worth the time. Airline tickets for internet friends and extra lives in Candy Crush were at the top of the list.

Sign up for our newsletter! You’ll get an email every once in a while that has good stuff! The only thing we’re selling is financial literacy!

Spending Plan Apps

EveryDollar is a zero based budgeting app, meaning you track your earnings and all spending and at the end of the month the balance should be zero. The app is free, but you can’t link your bank accounts in the free version. For EveryDollar Plus it costs about $11/month (129.99 a year paid up front). It also comes with access to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. You can not link credit cards in EveryDollar Plus. Ramsey is vehemently against borrowing money including using credit cards. The app is really easy to use.

You Need a Budget is also zero based budgeting. It costs 83.99 a year after the 34 day free trial or 11.99 a month, cancel anytime. Also students get a free year.

Mint.com

Mint is probably the most widely used tracking program. It is totally free. You can link all your bank accounts. The company has some ads and they also advertise financial products like loans. Some do report more glitches, but for the most part its a pretty easy app to use.

Wally

The neat thing about Wally is you can track by taking pictures of your receipts. It only works on phones, no desktop application. And it is free.

Check back soon, more to come!