Financial literacy is something most black people wish they'd learned earlier in life, but their opportunities were very limited. Now, personally, I have had the opportunity to see what real wealth looks like because my parents made it their priority to give me more opportunities than they had. The experiences from those opportunities shaped every thought pattern I had about wealth and money, but I've also experienced what it is like to be around those who haven't had the same opportunities as me. It is like their mindset is stuck in a broken cycle. My personal experiences with finances and financial education have taught me that money comes and goes, but wealth lasts forever and creates a stable, successful future. When I was young, my parents told me that wealth was a mindset, not just an everyday decision. Every time I received money for birthdays, Christmas, or even special events, I was given a specific set of rules on how I was allowed to spend my money. Although it did not make me happy at times, and sometimes the money did not last, a foundation of how money works was set. When I got older, I was given a book about the flow of money right before I got my first job. It mentioned high-yield savings accounts, Roth IRA, budgeting, investing, stocks, and much more. From my parents having me read this book and having many conversations with me, my foundation became much sturdier. All of this sounds almost perfect, but I still struggle. I struggle with impulsive buying and knowing when to invest in myself. Even though I do have my challenges with money, I treat every challenge like a lesson, and I realize that if I stay consistent with my learnings, then the money I worked for will begin to work for me. I plan to use what I have been taught to provide opportunities for the people around me and the people who look up to me, because you are only as good as what surrounds you. I plan to educate myself to the point where I am able to educate others. I want to be able to provide people with resources to learn and help them in ways they could not believe were possible. I am going to invest in properties, companies, businesses, stocks, and almost anything that will appreciate over time, so that my money will work for me. My personal experiences with finances and financial education have taught me that money comes and goes, but wealth lasts forever and creates a stable, successful future. My experiences allowed me to have a strong foundation for my journey to wealth, while still having so much to learn. I will create a future for myself where I can provide opportunities for those around me and in need and generational wealth for my family.

When the government shuts down, a lot of people think about politics first. But for people who struggle with mental illness, the impact is much more personal. A shutdown can interrupt access to treatment, medication, and support systems that help people function every day. For someone already dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another mental health condition, that kind of disruption can be overwhelming. It can turn an already difficult situation into a crisis. One of the biggest ways a government shutdown affects people with mental illness is by creating instability. Many people depend on programs or services connected to government funding, such as Medicaid, disability support, community clinics, housing help, and food assistance. Even if some programs continue for a short time, the fear of delays, confusion, and uncertainty can still take a serious toll. Mental health often depends on consistency. When therapy appointments are delayed, medication access becomes uncertain, or families do not know what support will still be available, stress increases quickly. The impact is not just financial. Money is definitely part of the problem because many people already face challenges paying for treatment, medication, transportation, or basic living expenses. However, the emotional effects can be just as harmful. A government shutdown can increase fear, hopelessness, and anxiety. For someone already battling mental illness, the added stress can make symptoms worse. It can lead to emotional breakdowns, isolation, relapse, or even dangerous mental health crises. Families are affected too, because when systems become unreliable, loved ones often have to carry even more of the burden. The effects can also be both short term and long term. In the short term, people may miss appointments, lose access to resources, or feel immediate panic about what comes next. In the long term, the damage can last even after the shutdown ends. Mental health recovery is not always quick, and even a temporary setback can cause lasting harm. Someone who loses access to care may take weeks or months to get stable again. A person who experiences a crisis during that time may continue to suffer long after the government reopens. There are solutions that could help lessen this impact. First, mental health services should be protected as essential, even during a shutdown. People should not lose access to therapy, medication, crisis support, or disability-related care because of political disagreement. Second, the government should create emergency backup funding for mental health and public assistance programs so vulnerable people are not left without support. Third, schools, churches, nonprofits, and local organizations should work together to provide safe spaces and mental health resources when federal systems become unstable. Finally, leaders need to treat mental health as a real and urgent issue, not something that can be placed on hold. Overall, the impact of a government shutdown on people with mental illness is much deeper than finances alone. It affects emotional well-being, access to care, and long-term stability. Mental health support should never be seen as optional, because for many people, it is necessary for survival. If we want to build a stronger and more compassionate society, then we must make sure the people who are already struggling are not hurt even more during times of political conflict.