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TUESDAYS WITH MIRIAM :: Don't Forget Your FAFSA

Miriam is an Assistant Manager at a national banking institution. Her weekly posts will help you prepare for the financial realities of education and life. Be sure to leave a comment or send an email if you have specific financial questions.

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New and continuing students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to receive federal student aid. To apply online, visit here (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) or copy and paste the entire link below into your web browser's address line.www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/complete013.jsp.

Deadline for FAFSA on the Web is midnight Central Daylight time on June 10, 2009 for the 2009-2010 academic year.

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY :: The Power of ONE

One man inspired millions. One man, with the help and support of others, inspired change. In 1963 that one man made a powerful speech that bespoke his hopes and dreams for a country, its people, and more importantly his people. Today, please take the time to celebrate the life and honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Whether through an act of kindness or service, one action, one smile, one tip can make a difference in the life of another.

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I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.

One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.

We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.

Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.

Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?"

We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.

We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.

We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one.

We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by a sign stating: "For Whites Only."

We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
August 28, 1963
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
Copyright The Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

MAKEUP ART & DETAILS :: FREE - FREE - FREE COSMETICS

Did you buy makeup between 1994-2003? Of course you did!

As part of a class-action settlement, several major retailers will give away $175 million in high end cosmetics beginning January 20, 2009 due to their alleged participation in a price-fixing plan. While supplies last, customers may select one free cosmetic from brands such as Chanel, Dior, Clarins, and Estee Lauder from various department stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Visit here for a complete list of retailers and available cosmetics.

HANDWRITTEN :: Letter of Hope

Recently, President-elect Barack Obama penned a letter to his daughters, “What I want for You—and Every child in America.” No matter your political affiliation, this letter is a parent’s testament and devotion to his children. Like any parent, the letter shares a father’s personal desire for his daughters and all other children to be able to live the best life possible:

Dear Malia and Sasha, I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey. When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

Read the entire letter here.


What would your letter say to your current or future children? What about your parents, grandparents, siblings, significant others, friends , strangers, the U.S.? Leave us a comment below and share your Letter of Hope.

Better yet, take a few moments to actually handwrite the Letter of Hope and give it to the addressee on Inauguration Day or another special day in the future like graduation, birthday or wedding. Their hearts and yours will swell with pride and appreciation because you BELIEVED in them.

Image Courtesy Crane Stationery

SYMBOLS & SUBSTANCE :: Are You a Once-In-A-Lifetime Find?

CHICOLE::INTERMIXED strongly believes in your application being your commercial. It should sell your strengths, how you benefit the program, and how the program and institution will be better off if you attend. You are your product, so show your value and worth. (Visit here for information on completing your application essays) On Monday, we suggested reading Kokology: The Game of Self-Discovery. Although you should’ve already submitted your graduate and professional school application, complete the following game from Kokology and see how well you showed and sold yourself in your application. Are you a once-in-a-lifetime find?

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In Business for Yourself
courtesy Kokology: The Game of Self Discovery
The crowded walks at a summer fair are lined with street vendors hawking their wares from tents and stands. Table after table of wooden children’s toys, crafts, oil paintings, silver jewelry, and other treasures draw the eyes of passerby and make them pause a while to browse. Everything is made by hand, and no two items are alike, giving a sense of hope that once-in-a-lifetime find waits unnoticed at the back of some counter display. The quality of the goods ranges from merely competent to exquisite craftsmanship equal to that found in the finest boutiques, and the vendors themselves, with their colorful personalities and appearances, add a dimension to the adventure that can’t be found in any window-shopping experience. The scene has been set; why not stop a while and see what’s up for sale?

1. You have opened a tabletop stand to sell your own original handmade jewelry. How many different types of accessories and bangles do you put on display?

2. A person walks up and looks over your table but after only a moment walks away without buying anything. What do you think to yourself?

3. Another potential customer comes up and seems extremely interested in one of your designs. In fact, you consider it the best piece in your collection. What type of salesmanship do you use to recommend it?

4. It’s time to close up shop for the day. How would you describe your sales?

Key to In Business for Yourself
Fashion accessories like jewelry express the social side of the self. Items you make by hand only deepen that personal meaning and significance. Your responses to this scenario therefore show how you hope to be viewed by others.

1. The number of different kinds of jewelry you sell corresponds to the number of different personas or social masks you wear in different situations. These are the faces you put on in front of your friends, your parents, your boss, your partner. The more you have, the more complicated your social life will seem.

2. The feeling you had at losing a customer corresponds to your feelings after a heartbreak or other rejection. Did you feel it was something you did wrong (“I wonder what it was they didn’t like?”), shrug it off and get on with your business (“No problem, there’s a plenty of other people in the park”), or take the chance to make some critical observations of your own (“They wouldn’t know quality workmanship if it walked up and bit them in the nose!”)?

3. The way you talked about your finest piece reflects what you feel your own strong points to be and the ways you try to express them to others. Did you take a low-key approach and let customers make up their own minds, hammer the point home by badgering them incessantly, or offer to lower your asking price? Be careful not to sell yourself short.

4. Your sales total for the day is an evaluation of your own social achievement. Those who said they sold out their entire stock are not short on self-assurance. Just try not to scare people off with your boldness. If you said you had a bad day, you may need a little boost in self-esteem. Don’t be too hard on yourself; customers can smell doubt a mile away. If you had an average sales day, you’re the type who understands your true place in the world without undervaluing your own worth. And that may be the key to achieving long-term success in this line of work.

TUESDAYS WITH MIRIAM :: Preparing for Tax Season

Miriam is an Assistant Manager at a national banking institution. Her weekly posts will help you prepare for the financial realities of education and life. Be sure to leave a comment or send an email if you have specific financial questions.

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Preparing for Tax Season

It’s a new year!! What is the first thing that people start to think about? Their taxes!! In this weeks article I would like to just point out a few line items that you as a student and/or homeowner can take advantage of.

Students should look for deductions or credits that they can receive.

a. If you have a student loan that you are currently paying on you can deduct all or a portion of the interest that is paid on that loan. Detailed information is available in your tax instruction manual for the form that you will be using.

b. There is also a tuition and fees deduction. You cannot use both the tuition and fees deduction and education credits. Therefore, as you or your tax preparer are filling out the required worksheets, be sure to use the one that would make sure that you are required to pay the smallest amount of tax possible.

c. There are two education credits that you can look at. However, you are only able to take one and you cannot use the tuition and fees deduction and education credits for the same student in the same year. The first credit that can be considered is the Hope Credit. This tax credit cannot be used for more than 2 years for one student. You should refer to form 8863 for rules of calculating the Hope Credit. The second credit is the Lifetime Learning Credit. There is also a method on form 8863 to calculate the dollar amount of your credit. In addition, there are income caps. If you make over a certain amount you may not be able to take advantage of the credit.

Homeowners also have deductions that they can take to minimize the amount of taxes that they are required to pay. However, these deductions can only be utilized if you itemize. However, you should only itemize if the total amount of the deductions is greater than your standard deduction. If it is not, it will not be beneficial for you to itemize. If you have a mortgage on your home or paid points in 2008 then you will be able to input this amount on Schedule A of your tax forms.

As we continue to move through tax season I will post more information on how you can minimize the amount of taxes that you need to pay. If you have any questions or who like information on getting your taxes prepared feel free to contact me at mhornbuckle08{at}gmail.com.

ChicMix Weekend Recap

This weekend CHICOLE::INTERMIXED met with several individuals and noticed a common theme: motivation, self discovery and personal success. We encourage you to read, Kokology: The Game of Self-Discovery by Tadahiko Nagao and Isamu Saito now that the New Year revelry has faded, spring semester classes underway, work continues, and winter doldrums really set in. This is a light, energetic but very informative read. What exactly is kokology? Simply, it is a series of psychological games designed to reveal your hidden attitudes about sex, love, work, and more. The book can be read alone or in a group. Go here to “Take a Desert Journey” and see for yourself. We are sure it will raise an eyebrow as well as self-awareness.

MAKEUP ART & DETAILS :: 10 Makeup Felonies

Admit it. We've all made some makeup mistakes and should have been ticked for those major violations. Totalbeauty.com has created a great slideshow on the top 10 mistakes to avoid. View

How many tickets do you have?

HANDWRITTEN :: Journal for Your Thoughts?

The New Year always brings thoughts of change and development. Many thoughts turn to saving money and fiscal fitness while others yearn to recapture the memories of yesteryear. Keep track of spending, goals, or doodles in this lovely journal. Since this 5x6 oak-tanned leather journal or sketchbook is hand made, no two are alike; it's perfect for your unique thoughts.

Visit MJA Designs here to purchase this little beauty.

Need a little help jump starting your thoughts or your thoughts to action, Oprah's giving away a free copy of Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan until January 15th!

SYMBOLS & SUBSTANCE :: Financial Transitions to Life as a Grad Student

The essays are done and the applications are submitted. Now what? As you wait for the acceptance letters to trickle in, now is the best time to start thinking about the financial transition to life as a graduate or professional student.

The fortunate students will have fellowship or other funding offers that will cover tuition and living expenses. Others will receive a limited amount of funding that will cover tuition or a portion of their living expenses. Still others, will receive no financial support at all. Sadly, this last category is where a large number of grad students find themselves. They are left trying left trying to decide between the lesser of two debt evils—living on student loans or credit cards. Some students are forced to live on both. Preparing a budget or spending plan now will help you immensely. It will help determine how much money you will actually need to live modestly, yet comfortably. It will also help determine how much you need to start saving now for your immediate costs associated with grad school-tuition, mandatory fees, books, health insurance, lab fees, parking passes, apartment and utility deposits, etc.

Most students find they can live comfortably on $350 or less per week. Those with families or higher consumer debt may find they need to be more in the range of $500-$550 per week. It is imperative that students be able to anticipate living on no more than $1850 a month. Live like a student while a student to avoid living like a student while a professional. Being grown and eating macaroni and cheese as a meal on paper plates with utensils from a fast food restaurant is so unattractive past the age of 30.

Please visit here to read the thoughts of a grad student living on credit. Do you want this to be you?

TUESDAYS WITH MIRIAM :: Is it Safe to Invest My Money Now?

With the current recession and the falling stock prices it is frequently asked whether or not it is a good idea to invest money. Yes, it could be a good time because prices are low; however, it could also be a bad time because it is unknown when the prices will rise and whether or not the company you invest in will be able to make it through the recession. If you want to invest, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. If you must invest, invest in things that are receiving funding and that the government is focusing on. For example, the major focus right now is the automobile industry. Even though their prices are down, it is evident that the government is attempting to keep them afloat and it is very likely that their prices will begin to go up.
2. Determine what your tolerance for risk is. If you cannot stand to lose money then your tolerance for risk is low. If you can stand to lose money and it won’t cause you any hardship then your tolerance for risk is high. If your tolerance is high then you can take the chance of investing in the stock market because your returns will ultimately be higher, but if your tolerance is low you should invest in CD’s or money market accounts because your money is protected by FDIC and you won’t lose any of your initial investment.
3. Find a financial advisor. You can get free advice from the advisor from your local bank. They are more aware of what is going on in the market and where you are more likely to make money instead of losing it.
4. Diversify!!! Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. If you spread your investments around you are more likely to diminish the likelihood of large losses.
5. Look at investing in municipal bonds. These are bonds that help to fund city projects. As long as your city is in good financial shape, it is not likely that you will lose money.

ChicMix Weekend Recap

Happy New Year. Well the holidays are over and after a much needed break to recuperate from the accident, finish client projects, and get things in order here at Chicole::Intermixed, we have so many things to share with you.

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Website. The websites for Chicole::Intermixed and the Makeup Art & Details specialty division, Bridal Beauty by Blush, are being fine tuned for your ultimate experience. We are excited for their debut. Stay tuned.

Expressions. We finished addressing some beautiful holiday and New year’s cards for a few clients. Now is the time to stock up on your holiday greetings for 2009. At most retail and discount places they are 50-85%. It’s also the time to purchase your custom or personalized stationery. It’s not luxe, it’s a necessity! Personalized stationery really sets your thoughts and correspondence apart. Don’t just buy and admire it, use it!

Educational Consulting. We also worked with an individual to create a unique specialized degree program. Although we can’t share too many details just yet, we can say, this degree will definitely increase the personal and professional value of students who receive it.

New Year, New You Vision Boards. We’re sure many of you created New Year’s Resolutions. Why not take it a step further and actually visualize your goals. Create a Vision Board. You can either create one the old school way by scouring and cutting up magazines and newspapers to find the images that represent your goals and ambitions. You can also do it new school and just cut and paste pictures found in your personal files or online into a word document or other publishing software. Either way you go, you will end up with a visual representation of your goals. Seeing it everyday will surely motivate and hold you accountable. Seeing is believing, right?

Financial Accountability. For many, finances are somewhere on the list of resolutions or goals for 2009. To add a little bit of perspective, we must share this story from Fabulously Broke in the City with you. It is truly a story of what not to do in 2009. If you are blessed with a new job or increase in cash flow this year, please do NOT follow this couple’s example:

Story of the Idiot and his Wife, Part I
Story of the Idiot and his Wife, Part II

Bridal Specialty Division Contest. Christmas and New Years are very popular times for couples to get engaged. We confirmed several more wedding parties for Makeup Art & Details’ bridal specialty division, Blush. We can’t wait to start creating makeup looks for these lovely brides and their bridal parties. Did you get engaged over the holidays? Share your story with Blush and e-vents: a wedding and event planning company, and be entered for a chance to win:

*$750 0ff on e-vents: a wedding and event planning company planning services (Platinum package only)
*Complete wedding day makeup application with trial consultation provided by Bridal Beauty by Blush (value - $250)
*Dinner for two @ Harry & Izzy's - Indianapolis Downtown (value - $100)
*Romantic gift basket full of chocolates, candles and other goodies!

Please visit here for all the rules.

Glitz & Glam: A Holiday Tea Party. This tea PARTY was so much fun and benefitted a great organization, Dress for Success. The ladies truly brought their fabulosity! We hope you can attend the next tea PARTY CHICOLE::INTERMIXED hosts.