Tariffs & Tax Time: Here's How We Gon' Tackle This...

The government wants money from you now (because it’s tax time!) and it wants to charge you more for what you’ve already been buying (tariffs!). Make it make sense!

I can’t even.

So here’s what we gon’ do, sis. First, we are not going to let Uncle Sam, our creditors and/or any haters to steal our joy. ✨ We’re going to pull out our fans, do a line dance and embrace the spring season because this is the best time to focus on financial empowerment and resilience. Read on as I dive into how the recent Trump tariffs may impact your household expenses, share some funding opportunities for you and other women creatives, and strategies to boost your credit score in this week’s newsletter.

🔥 New Tariffs on Everyday Items to Watch Out For:

First it was eggs, now it’s… everything else! Here’s how the Trump tariffs are poised to affect the price of everyday items you regularly buy. Click here to read more.

💰 Grant Opportunities!

Could you use an extra $200,000? The Cartier Women’s Initiative is a global entrepreneurship program dedicated to empowering female “impact entrepreneurs” and driving meaningful change through its efforts. Established in 2006, the initiative is open to women-led and women-owned businesses across all industries and countries, focusing on creating a lasting social or environmental impact.

Applications for the 2025 program will be accepted from April 18 to June 24. Selected recipients will receive $200,000 in funding, along with mentorship and ongoing support. Apply HERE.

💳 How to Boost Your Credit Score

In the market for a new job or to buy a new car or a house? Chances are your future employer or loan officer is going to check your credit score. The best advice I’ve ever gotten was to pay all my bills at least seven days in advance, instead of on the due date, and I swear it works. Here are some additional ways you can improve your credit rating:

• Review Your Credit Report: Regularly check for inaccuracies and dispute any errors.

• Pay on time, over a long period of time: Consistently pay bills on time to build a positive payment history.​

• Use Less Credit: Aim to use less than 30 percent of your available credit to demonstrate you are a responsible spender.​

• Don’t Apply for New Cards or Loans You Don’t Need: Each credit card application can result in a hard inquiry, potentially lowering your score.​

• Maintain Long-Standing Accounts: The length of your credit history contributes to your score, so keep your oldest accounts open and in good standing. Close any new accounts, per the time above, especially if you’re not using them.

FYI, here’s how credit scores are actually calculated.

Was this information helpful? Then forward this newsletter to that friend who can never go out or on vacation ‘cause her money is funny. If you are that friend, then “Woo, woo, woo.” It’s going to be OK. Just start using this advice… immediately.

Real Estate

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is giving back big time. In a new partnership with SoFi, a mortgage loan provider,Tatums investing $2 million to help families in his hometown of St. Louis go from renting to owning homes.

"St. Louis made me who I am. I want to make sure the next generation has the chance to thrive here," said Tatum. 🙌🏾

Are you a first-time homebuyer outside of St. Louis? The Black Homeownership Collaborative wants to help you get set up in your new home. Go here for home-buying tips and advice › 

📣 Investing Success Story

I love a good Cinderella Story. This one involves actress Eva Longoria who made a chance investment 10+ years ago that is still paying off (and explains why she is so rich while not making very many movies)! It all started in 2014 when she got a random tip from a talent agent (not even her agent) that the “John Wick” movie was experiencing a $6 million budget shortfall and that she should invest her money to help close the gap, get the movie made and make back even more money on the back end if the film was a success.

This bold move paid off significantly, with her earnings surpassing $12 million as the franchise gained international acclaim. The success of 2014’s “John Wick” spawned a franchise that has since grossed $1 billion across four movies. Longoria's success underscores the potential of strategic investments and the importance of supporting creative ventures. The whole story is detailed in Variety.

📣 Poll!

What topics would you love to see in The Financial Glow-Up?

🚀 Can you feel it? This is the sound of you skyrocketing towards financial freedom after subscribing to the advice in The Financial Glow-Up. Don’t keep all of this good information to yourself. Share this newsletter with your creative circle and tell them to subscribe.

Keep glowing,
Markette Sheppard
Founder, Glow Stream TV
@glowstreamtv and @markettesheppard on all the socials!