The Stellar Communicator

Personal Finance Journalism

This page displays predominantly personal finance articles I've written since 2015. But there are a few health and other pieces here, too. Top media outlets contact me to write data-backed, well-sourced stories that engage their readers and keep them coming back to their digital platforms. Contact me if you want similar writing solutions, so we can discuss your needs.

Image: Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

Yahoo! News •

Doing the Math: Paying Down Debt vs. Saving for Retirement

Often, money management comes down to a series of “now” versus “then” decisions—and usually the “then” is years away. That’s especially true when you’re dealing with immediate obligations like debt while considering future needs like retirement. And when money is tight, it’s hard to know exactly where your money should go. Here, three personal finance experts outline ways to think about debt versus saving for retirement. (Image: Joe Picas on Pexels)
Forbes •

OneUnited: The Nation’s Largest Black-Owned Bank Is Unapologetically Black And Activist

Launched in 1968 as Unity Bank & Trust Company in response to calls for Black economic empowerment, OneUnited Bank’s mission remains being Black America’s first choice for banking. Here’s how OneUnited is working to achieve that goal. (Forbes Advisor added an editor's name under my byline for SEO purposes. However, I researched, interviewed subjects for, and authored this story entirely.)
Forbes Advisor •

Get Your Financial House In Order With These 7 Black Women Financial Experts

Studies prove that, in most American homes, women still do most of the household management tasks. Increasingly, this includes handling finances. Research shows that, in nine in 10 American households, saving and spending decisions involve women, while 31% of partnered women are the primary managers of their household’s finances. Partnered or not, perhaps you’re a woman who’s decided it’s time to change your or your family’s financial picture. Let these seven women help you.
Forbes Advisor •

How Digital Banking Is Driving Social Change

(Editor's Note: In this story, Dahna Chandler profiles OneUnited Bank and E. Napoletano profiles the Daylight financial platform; Mitch Strohm wrote the introduction and conclusion.) Someday soon, if not today, you may find a banking platform that’s designed specifically for you and those like you. A growing number of banks and fintechs are using digital banking platforms to meet the unique challenges and needs of individual communities. This article tells the story of two of them.
Next Avenue •

How to Start Saving for Retirement After 50

Many Americans over 50 haven’t saved for retirement. In fact, the Insured Retirement Institute found that only 54 percent of boomers (age 53 to 71) have retirement savings. Quite a few Gen X’ers over 50 have little or no retirement savings, too. The boomers and Gen X’ers are in this position for multiple reasons; the most common one is postponement. If you’re one of them, it isn’t too late to get started funding your retirement and avoid future missteps, though. Here's a smart plan to help you.
The Beacon •

Sharing homes, lives with vets

Like other aging adults with disabilities, Maryland’s military veterans — whether or not their disabilities were acquired in service — often require specialized, round-the-clock, long-term care. In many cases, they receive this care in institutional settings like nursing homes and hospitals. That is especially true of those requiring care for dementia, strokes and other major health challenges. But for veterans who are eligible, there is an alternative paid for by the Veteran’s Administration Medical Foster Home program.
TODAY.com •

Is your long commute to work driving you insane? 5 ways to cope

Census data show that in 2013, 3.5 million Americans made one-way mega-commutes from their homes to their jobs. As this piece shows, there are people who travel between countries to get to work in the US each day, not just within busy metro areas or between states. This article shows those of you who make frequent long commutes for work how to cope effectively with the stresses, including financial, of such constant work travel.
Woman's Day •

These Are the Best Ways to Lose Weight in Your Face

Sometimes, it's your face that's the trouble spot for weight gain on your body. Here are 7 tips to lose weight there before getting surgery. (My editor assigned this article to me as part of WomansDay.com's SEO strategy. She knows how well I understand content strategy and how to write interesting and informative articles that also meet the publication's strategic objectives for attracting readership. I got a title from her that included the keywords. From that, I researched, sourced, interviewed for and wrote the piece.)
Woman's Day •

6 Common UTI Symptoms Women Need To Know About

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are relatively common in women: They account for 8.1 million doctor's office visits annually. If not treated promptly or properly, though, this usually minor infection can be deadly, especially for elderly women. Here's how to know what symptoms to look for and when to call your doctor. (My editor assigned this article to me as part of WomansDay.com's SEO strategy. She knows how well I understand content strategy and how to write interesting and informative articles that also meet the publication's strategic objectives for attracting readership. I got a title from her that included the keywords. From that, I researched, sourced, interviewed for and wrote the piece.)
TODAY.com •

Immigration assignment at North Carolina high school sparks racism debate

It was meant to be part of a social studies assignment tied to the US presidential campaign and the national debate about immigration. Instead, Erwin High School in Buncombe County, North Carolina, started its school year with a class project that inflamed existing racial tensions. The assignment in question? Students were required to create “bumper stickers” reflecting a point of view based on the topic of undocumented immigration. Read this article to learn what happened.