Happy October!
It’s that time of year where the weather is changing, the leaves are beginning to fall and many people are already preparing for the rush of expensive holidays starting at the end of the month: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even the New Year! The final quarter of the year is a great time to start working to get personal finances in order and set financial goals for 2026.
Moreover, while knowing how to save money has always been key, financial literacy is becoming increasingly important as the nation faces challenging socio-economic times: a federal government shutdown, people searching for jobs as a result of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) federal furloughs, cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion programming and funding, and inflation, to name a few.
“The economy is on ice: hiring has slowed, prices for essentials are up, and consumer confidence is down. Because of the Republican tax bill, families face massive premium hikes and millions risk losing insurance,” Breyon Williams, chief economist with Groundwork Collaborative, wrote on X, Sept. 30, the day before the official start of the government shutdown. “This shutdown fight is clear: one side is trying to stop the damage to working families, the other is prioritizing the wealthiest 1 percent.”
In addition, while Americans across the country are working to pay household expensives and navigating uncertainty at the moment, Black communities nationwide— with many already facing housing, economic, health and educational disparities— are feeling the sting in a major way.
“Black women bear the brunt of everything because when white folks get a cold, we get pneumonia, but the point is this harm is coming for everyone,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley said during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 54th Annual Legislative Conference in a discussion about her work in Congress to uplift Black women and families.
Despite tough times, The Washington Informer is here to offer tips and tools for navigating this moment and beyond. Although it’s tough to “budget while broke,” this edition has some suggestions to make saving a bit easier even when money is tight. Further, while it might be hard trying to keep up with technological and economic developments such as crypto, this special edition works to break down the digital currency and how African Americans are engaging with and investing in cybercash assets.
With shopping about to commence for Halloween costumes and candy, Thanksgiving feasts, and Christmas and Kwanzaa treats, hold onto this special edition as a resource this year and going forward, as it has a lot of useful information to help save money, make smart investments and create generational wealth.
And, remember, sharing is caring! Pass on this financial literacy edition to family and friends so the whole crew is set up for financial success!