Op Ed: Financial Focus – How to Clean Up Your Credit Report in Three Steps

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO

Normally, when I have clients that want to discuss their credit score, I first let them know that there are many credit agencies out there, and each one rates you differently. But, of course the same principle applies at each of them. Your credit score will be good or bad, depending on the interpretation of the people and institutions rating your financial situation. Of course you want your score to be high. How do we do that? In simple terms, we get a copy of your credit report and clean it up! But, it gets much deeper. I

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO

In last week’s article, we talked about some basic truths regarding Retirement Planning. We talked about how important it is to save and invest early. We talked about how inflation can eat up your money. We also briefly discussed when is it right to retire and for how long. This week we will talk about the products one must use to achieve those goals: Social Security You already have a retirement product with the government. Yes, 80 percent of Americans are covered by social security. Employers and employees normally pay 50 percent each (8.25 percent) towards an

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO

By the time you read this, school will have started; many, now virtually. At CUNY, this fall semester, I am teaching Retirement Planning. In our temporary “new world,” this should be a very interesting topic this semester. But let’s start with a very simple premise. What is Retirement Planning? For many, it is the objective of achieving financial security and independence. While we all, I am sure, want to achieve a desired financial lifestyle – what many do not understand is that to achieve that future financial independence, one has to be willing to forego a certain sum

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO

There is no doubt that New York City needs help. With a current unemployment rate of 20 percent and City government threatening even more layoffs, the City is going to need increased revenue, quickly. There was outcry last week when City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson were alleged to have tried to save revenues by savagely cutting many areas of the City budget, an allegation they denied. They said they were looking for federal government assistance first. In the absence of that, and knowing it might be difficult to get money from the

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

As we get ready to watch the Republican convention and the other side of our democracy, one thing that we cannot forget is what the next president is going to have to deal with, whoever it is: the government is going to need tax money for government revenues when it will try to assist lower paid workers with children. What is Joe Biden’s plan for this? 1. He wants to make corporate taxes higher. Under his tax plan, the corporate tax rate would be increased to 28 percent, almost a 30 percent increase from where it is now.

By DAVID GREENE

With the current pandemic, economic halt, and growing food shortage foremost in everyone’s mind, members of The Love Legacy Chapel, based at Westchester Square in the Bronx, recently embarked on an ambitious, “Feed a Thousand” campaign, whereby they hope to eventually feed 1,000 hungry Bronxites each week. According to Pastor Christopher Garcia, the church, located at 2500 St. Raymond’s Avenue, began the program in early July with a half dozen volunteers who handed out some 200 meals consisting of chicken and rice, potato salad, as well as fruits and vegetables. The church purchases food through donations, and food

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in ascertaining the whereabouts of the four unidentified men who are seen in the attached video and are sought for questioning in connection with a burglary that took place within the confines of the 52nd precinct in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. It was reported to police that on Tuesday, June 1, 2020 at 11 p.m., the men gained entry to a pharmacy located at 229 East Kingsbridge Road by forcing the security gate. Once inside, the individuals removed an undetermined amount of prescription medication. They then fled the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson released a statement on Saturday, Aug. 22 about a letter circulating on social media that purports to be from his office, is apparently signed by Johnson, Finance Chair Danny Dromm, and Bronx City Councilwoman and Subcommittee on Capital Budget Chair Vanessa Gibson. The letter purports to identify city agency cuts through layoffs. Johnson said the letter is fake. “A letter is being circulated that purports to be from my office and signed by me, Finance Chair Danny Dromm and Subcommittee on Capital Budget Chair Vanessa Gibson identifying city agency cuts through layoffs. This letter

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The line of people with rolling carts and hand trucks waiting to receive boxes of food filled the sidewalk of Hull Avenue. It started at the intersection of East 204th Street, and on its southern tip ended just short of East Mosholu Parkway North. Although the food event was scheduled to last an hour, the boxes were gone in less than 30 minutes. Promoted as a Food Box Giveaway and spearheaded by Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, the outdoor event highlighted an ongoing worrisome issue in Norwood: food insecurity. “The turnout today was great,” Fernandez said. “A lot of people