FINANCES IN 60 SECONDS
HOW TIKTOK IS INFLUENCING PERSONAL FINANCE (AND HOW TO USE IT APPROPRIATELY)
They say money makes the world go round — so, then, why are so many people financially illiterate? According to a study that examined 150,000 people across 140 countries, only 57% of Americans were financially literate as of 2015. Other studies, like those done recently by the National Financial Educators Council, have found that only 16% of Americans ages 18–26 are hopeful about their financial future.
The bottom line is that TikTok personal finance accounts are great introductions to financial literacy, but they cannot replace expert advice and information. If you want to check it out or offer the Gen Z in your life some quick finance tips, check out these well-established influencers. Humphrey Yang — @humphreytalks Yang is verified by TikTok, which means he’s been authenticated as an online public figure, and he’s amassed more than 21.8 million likes. His advice ranges from breaking down the latest trends in the market to highlighting common financial ideas in simple terms. Rahul Rai — @thelaymaninvestor Any investment advice should always be properly vetted, so Rai’s videos feature him performing “duets” with other personal finance accounts to critique or promote their advice. Delyanne Barros — @delyannethemoneycoach Pulling from her personal experience and candidly sharing her best practices, Barros has amassed nearly 173,000 followers and offers insights into how the market works. Barros’ goal is to retire by 45, and followers can watch along as she pursues that dream.
TikTok influencers are hoping to change that.
TRAIN FOR THE RAIN 5 WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER TikTok was launched in 2016 and slowly grew before booming in 2019 and becoming a household staple in 2020. Personal finance experts, like advisors, teachers, and economists, saw an opportunity amid the dance crazes and lip-syncing. Today, personal finance TikTok creators are becoming increasingly popular on the app and offer quick tips about common financial mistakes, saving for retirement, and understanding weird market trends, like the insanity with GameStop, Reddit, and the stock market in January 2021. However, there is a caveat to those relying on TikTok for financial advice: Don’t. While the good influencers creating the videos do offer sound advice worth considering, there are plenty of uninformed “experts” that spout bad advice. Plus, the short length allowed on each video means video creators have to boil down complex market advice into short sound bites. April is known for Easter, baseball, Tax Day, and rainy weather — the last of which can cause significant issues for drivers. Without taking proper precautions or understanding how to navigate wet roadways or puddles, drivers risk accidents and injuries. It’s imperative that all drivers familiarize themselves with the proper procedures for this weather to avoid the risks. Start by assessing the necessity of your venture onto the road. Do you need to drive or travel in the rain? If not, consider alternatives. Order from professional driving services or reschedule appointments to avoid driving during inclement weather. If you have to drive, inspect your vehicle first. Examine your tires for signs of distress or general wear. If your tires are old, you will be more susceptible to hydroplaning, which is what happens when a vehicle skims across the water without gripping the road. If this does happen, let off the accelerator and continue steering in the direction you are going. If your vehicle starts to turn, slowly turn the steering wheel in that direction. Don’t jerk the steering wheel away from the spin — this overcorrection could make the situation worse.
regardless of what time it is. This makes you more visible to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Once in your vehicle, stay alert . Driving in the rain is not like driving in ideal conditions, and it’s easy to forget that when nothing goes wrong. You also need to have complete control of your vehicle, so avoid using cruise control . This could cause your vehicle to not grip the road properly, and in the event that you hydroplane, your vehicle will go faster. Finally, be vigilant about driving the posted speed and only change lanes when necessary . Remember, posted speed limits are determined based on ideal conditions. Rainy weather is far from that. As visibility and traction decrease, so does your reaction time. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid driving in rainy weather, but if you follow these tips, you can better protect yourself from potential accidents. If you do find yourself injured and in need of compensation after a rainy-day accident, the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help. Just call 229-888-0888 today .
Be sure to also test your windshield wipers and headlights . You should always drive with your headlights on when it’s raining,
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