Although home-ownership is still portrayed as part of the “American Dream”, per an article from the Pew Research Center that analyzed census data from 2016, (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/07/19/more-u-s-households-are-renting-than-at-any-point-in-50-years/) 36.6 percent of people in the United States that claimed head of household are renters, which is the highest percentage since 1965. This makes the relationship between the Landlord and the Tenant very impor

As all of you are well aware, we are now officially into tax season, which depending on who you ask and what their situation is, could be considered their favorite time of year if a refund is coming. The acquisition of the W-2, the dash to the tax professional, and the anticipation for that incoming check for some may feel like Christmas without buying gifts. Our question, as always, is what’s the plan for your refund? An article and survey conducted by GoBankingRates.com

As we are 17 days away from another spectacular Christmas holiday, many of us head out to shop til’ we drop for our loved ones. The holidays are supposed to represent happy and joyous times with family and friends. However, after reading this November 30th, 2017 article from Business Wire (New Survey Finds Relationship Tension and Anxiety are Hidden Costs of Debt), It makes us wonder how wonderful this time of year really is? A Harris poll of over 1,000 Americans commissione

As the holiday season begins to crank up in earnest this week, many people may feel tis’ the season to rack up credit card debt. In our research on financial issues, we came across this CNBC article (Here's what happens if you don’t pay off your credit card debt) that details what happens as you fall further into default status. According to the Federal Reserve’s report, the United States has more credit card debt than at any time in our country’s history through the 3rd q

When you go into any relationship, and particularly when you take it to the next level with an engagement, and then marriage, trust and respect must be at the foundation of it. Trust is the hook that any good relationship hangs its’ hat on. One thing that can chip away at the foundation of a good couple’s relationship would be the keeping of financial secrets. Financial secrets include things as big as hidden bank accounts, credit cards or large purchases. It may also be

Getting married can be both an exciting and stressful time in your life. Couples are concerned with planning the wedding, the reception, the honeymoon and how all of it is going to be financed. There are many discussions that couples should have prior to walking down the aisle like career plans, children, and deciding where you are going to live as you build your life as a couple. Things that are rarely discussed prior to marriage include combining the financial obligations

In our ongoing research to better understand financial behaviors, we came across an article published in 2015 on the Pacific Standard website (GROWING UP POOR HAS EFFECTS ON YOUR CHILDREN EVEN IF YOU ESCAPE POVERTY) that speaks to the social ramifications of growing up poor and how it can effect generations by keeping them in a circle of established poverty. Their discussion leaned toward the environment that was lived in by parent and child effecting both the longer they st

In our constant research of trending financial information, we came across this article from the Michigan Chronicle last week: (Michigan #1 for discretionary income in the United States and Detroit ranks as #5 city). The Trove Technology study that the article is based on covers the Metro Detroit region, and by doing so, offers a contrast to some of the census data and other things we have seen previously. If the information in this report (Official Name: The Trove Discre

In our research of local financial issues, we found The Detroit News had a well written article by Christine MacDonald and Nicquel Terry last week detailing the first rise of median income (Average family income) in the city of Detroit since the turn of the century (Census: Detroit Incomes Up For First Time Since 2000). It sounded like good news on the surface as there also was a decrease in the city’s poverty level (Defined at $24,563.00 for a family of four). However, a d

At DNA Financial Services, we talk to and work with people from all walks of life, but there tends to be a recurring theme that we keep hearing and it’s a financial behavior that is a threat to the ninety-nine percent of us still on our wealth building journey. The issue is procrastination, or more to the point, waiting until something goes wrong to talk about saving or better managing your money, or better yet, trying to get yourself together before asking financial profess

It is human nature to have regrets about things in your life. Thoughts about those what might have been moments and the “What ifs”. Now narrow that focus to money not well spent and well, that’s even more bothersome. We recently came across an article in our weekly research about financial regrets and shared it, but after talking the other day about things we would have spent money on differently if we knew then what we know now, this subject deserves a closer look. Accord

The definition of a millionaire is having a net worth greater than 1 million U.S. dollars. Do you know what your net worth is? Net worth is the amount by which your assets exceed your liabilities. Before you can start your wealth building journey, you have to know where you are currently financially. I would like to challenge you to take the time to calculate your net worth. Net worth is calculated by adding up all of your assets and subtracting all of your liabilities. Ne

Understanding your financial behaviors relative to money is the first step to learning how to manage and control your finances. Behaviors can be influenced by how you grew up, where you work and even who you associate with. Once you become aware of your behaviors, you can then make quality financial decisions. Money is a tool to work for your benefit, and when this is realized, you can make money instead of it making you. DNA Financial Services conducts a financial behavior a

A great strategy for establishing Wealth is getting out of debt. Having a lot of debt erodes your Net Worth. Debt enslaves you and keeps you from living the life of your dreams in peace. Living a debt free lifestyle allows you the freedom to do the things that you really want to do in life. You are not enslaved to a creditor! Debt is a distraction that keeps us from the passion that we were placed on earth to do. This is why Jesus’s death is referred to as his passion, b

DNA Financial is committed to educating the community about the traps of debt. Debt can have a devouring impact on our net worth. There is a scripture in the bible where God states He will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and He shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field. Ask yourself are you in agreement with this scripture? If you are a believer and you are reading this I’m pretty sure your answer i