<![CDATA[Black Society - Blog]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:22:10 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[7 Mistakes Black Families Are Making with Generational Wealth (and How to Fix Them) Black Society]]>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:47:32 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/7-mistakes-black-families-are-making-with-generational-wealth-and-how-to-fix-them-black-society
Listen, we need to have an honest conversation about something that's been weighing on our community for generations. While the median wealth gap between Black and white families sits at a staggering $241,120, too many of our families are making preventable mistakes that keep us trapped in cycles of financial struggle. But here's the truth: you have the power to change this narrative. The barriers are real – we can't pretend centuries of systemic exclusion from homeownership, business loans, and investment opportunities haven't left their mark. But dwelling on what was done to us won't build the legacy our children deserve. What will build that legacy is recognizing the mistakes we're making today and taking decisive action to correct them. Are you ready to break the cycle? Let's dive into the seven critical mistakes that are costing Black families generational wealth – and more importantly, how you can fix them starting today.

Mistake #1: Treating Estate Planning Like It's Only for the Wealthy Here's a harsh reality: you can work yourself to the bone building wealth, only to watch it vanish between generations because you didn't plan for the transfer. Too many of our families believe estate planning is something only millionaires need to worry about. This thinking is costing us everything. The statistics don't lie – families who overcome incredible odds to build assets often lose them simply because they lack a proper succession plan. Your grandmother's house, your father's business, your savings account – without proper planning, these assets can get tied up in probate, lost to family disputes, or eaten alive by taxes and legal fees. How to Fix It:
Stop making excuses and start making plans. You don't need to be wealthy to need an estate plan – you need an estate plan to stay wealthy. Find an attorney who understands our community's unique challenges and create a comprehensive plan that includes: A will that clearly outlines asset distribution Trusts that protect assets from potential creditors and legal challenges Beneficiary designations on all accounts A succession plan for any business interests Regular updates as your family situation changes Remember: an estate plan isn't just about death – it's about ensuring life continues for your loved ones.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Heirs' Property Crisis This one hits deep, and if you don't know about heirs' property, you need to educate yourself immediately. Since 1910, Black families have lost 90% of the land we once held. Ninety percent! This isn't just about real estate – this represents massive generational wealth that's been stripped away from our families. Heirs' property occurs when someone dies without a will, leaving descendants with fractional ownership of inherited land. This makes the property vulnerable to partition actions, where any heir – or even outside buyers who purchase small ownership stakes – can force the entire property to be sold. How to Fix It:
If your family has inherited property without clear title, stop procrastinating and take action: Work with a property attorney to convert heirs' property to clear title ownership Explore family agreements that establish clear ownership structures Consider partition actions among family members who want to maintain ownership Document all improvements and maintenance to establish ownership claims Never ignore legal notices about property you may have inherited Your ancestors fought to own land – don't let legal technicalities steal what they died trying to leave you.

Mistake #3: Staying on the Investment Sidelines Here's a sobering truth: historically, only 10% of Black family heads discussed the stock market when growing up, compared to 23% of white families. Even today, with improvement to nearly 40% of Black families engaging in investment conversations, we're still leaving money on the table. You can't build generational wealth by keeping your money in savings accounts earning 0.5% interest while inflation eats away at your purchasing power. The stock market, despite its risks, has historically been one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth. How to Fix It:
Stop being afraid of what you don't understand and start learning: Begin with financial education – read books, take courses, attend workshops Start small with index funds or target-date retirement funds Maximize employer 401(k) matching – this is free money you're leaving behind Open an IRA and contribute consistently, even if it's just $50 a month Work with a financial advisor who understands your goals and cultural context Take calculated risks – the biggest risk is not participating at all Remember: time in the market beats timing the market. Start today, even if you start small.

Mistake #4: Making Money Talk Taboo in Your Household Money conversations in too many Black households are treated like state secrets. Parents struggle in silence, children grow up financially illiterate, and the cycle continues. This silence is costing our children their financial futures. When we don't talk openly about money, budgeting, investing, and wealth-building strategies, we rob our children of the financial literacy they need to succeed. Meanwhile, other families are raising children who understand compound interest, investment strategies, and business ownership from an early age. How to Fix It:
Break the silence and make financial education a family priority: Have age-appropriate money conversations with your children regularly Involve older children in family budget discussions Teach them about saving, investing, and the power of compound interest Share your financial goals and include them in wealth-building conversations Lead by example – show them what smart money management looks like Use teachable moments, like grocery shopping, to discuss budgeting and smart spending Your children can't learn what you don't teach them. Make financial literacy a family value.

Mistake #5: Focusing Only on Debt Without Building Assets Yes, managing debt is crucial – but too many Black families get so focused on paying off debt that they miss opportunities to build wealth simultaneously. You can't debt-pay your way to generational wealth. While you're aggressively paying down credit cards and student loans, you could also be building assets that appreciate over time and generate passive income. The key is finding the right balance between debt management and asset building. How to Fix It:
Adopt a dual strategy that addresses both debt and asset building: Prioritize high-interest debt while building emergency funds Take advantage of employer retirement matching even while paying off debt Consider real estate investment if you have stable income Build assets that can generate passive income streams Don't put all your financial energy into debt reduction – allocate some toward wealth building Focus on acquiring appreciating assets: real estate, business ownership, investment accounts Remember: wealthy people use debt strategically to build assets. Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt.

Mistake #6: Underutilizing Real Estate as a Wealth-Building Tool Homeownership has historically been the primary way American families build wealth, yet many Black families either avoid real estate or don't fully leverage it as an investment vehicle. Whether due to historical redlining effects, discriminatory lending practices, or simple lack of information, we're missing out on our most accessible wealth-building opportunity. Real estate doesn't just provide shelter – it provides equity, tax benefits, and the foundation for building generational wealth. Your home can become the cornerstone of your family's financial legacy. How to Fix It:
Make homeownership and real estate investment strategic priorities: Research first-time homebuyer programs and down payment assistance options Build credit and save for down payments systematically Consider house hacking – buying a duplex and renting out one side Use home equity strategically for investment opportunities or home improvements Don't just buy a house – buy real estate as an investment Learn about 1031 exchanges and other tax-advantaged real estate strategies Consider real estate investment trusts (REITs) if direct ownership isn't feasible yet Your home should work for you, not just house you. Make real estate part of your wealth-building strategy.

Mistake #7: Relying on Single Income Sources Black workers currently earn only 9.6% of total US wages despite making up 12.9% of the labor force. With statistics like these, relying on a single income source is financial suicide. Economic downturns, job loss, or industry changes can wipe out families who put all their financial eggs in one employment basket. Wealthy families understand that true financial security comes from multiple income streams – employment income, business income, investment income, rental income, and royalty income. Diversification isn't just for investment portfolios; it's for income sources too. How to Fix It:
Start building multiple income streams systematically: Develop skills that can generate freelance or consulting income Start a side business in an area of expertise or passion Create investment accounts that generate dividend income Consider rental property investments for passive income Don't just work for money – make money work for you Explore creating digital products or courses that can generate royalty income Look for opportunities to monetize your knowledge and experience The goal isn't just to earn more money – it's to earn money from multiple sources so you're not dependent on any single income stream.

​Your Legacy Starts with Your Next Decision Here's the bottom line: building generational wealth isn't just about individual choices – it's about strategic planning that acknowledges our unique challenges while refusing to be defeated by them. You have the power to break cycles of financial struggle and create lasting legacies. Every day you delay implementing these solutions is another day your family's wealth-building potential sits dormant. Your ancestors overcame unimaginable obstacles to give you opportunities they never had. Now it's your turn to leverage those opportunities to build something that will outlast you. The seven mistakes we've discussed aren't character flaws – they're knowledge gaps that can be filled and habits that can be changed. But only if you take action. Start with one mistake, implement the solution, then move to the next. Progress, not perfection, builds generational wealth. Your children and grandchildren are counting on the decisions you make today. Don't let them down. The time to act is now.]]><![CDATA[As a man thinketh in his heart so is He.]]>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:23:09 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/as-a-man-thinketh-in-his-heart-so-is-heI was born a Black man in the South in 1953, to an oppressed Black mother and father. They grew up during the era of Jim Crow laws, where living in an oppressive environment often meant choosing to go with the flow or risk dying. At times, I imagined myself in their shoes, only to realize how little a person could do when surrounded by a system that allowed the very essence of life to be drained from them. Not only were my parents oppressed, but so was everyone aroumd us who shared  skin color.

My father had few options then, because there were little opportunities for a man with limited freedom. I vividly remember eating at Woolworth’s department store in Danville Virginia. Black people were forced to eat at the counter in the rear of the store.  I did not realize I was living under the oppression of Jim Crow, because my parents shielded us. However, their oppressed mentality was instilled in me. Their survival strategies—how to act in public, how to conduct oneself—became ingrained in me as a way to navigate through life as a Black person.

People who have never experienced oppression cannot truly understand what it’s like to grow up under such conditions. It shapes your psyche and how you view the world. Deep within your soul is the belief that you are unworthy of the same privileges as others simply because of the color of your skin. When you ride at the back of the bus for so long, you start to believe that’s where you belong. Your mind becomes a prison, shaped by what you see, feel, smell and touch, in poverty at the same time internalizing how to survive under oppression. The mind is a marvelous thing, but when bound and oppressed by the thoughts of failure, you give up and the victim of your environment.  For many years, I battled to escape my own poverty conscience mind replacing it with positive thoughts of success.  

 I had to peal off the layer after layer to uncover the person who God created, which was a free man with life, liberty,  pursuing happiness.  Being Black is one thing, but being Black and poor is  worse. It took me over fifty years to break free from the poverty mentality because it is a slow and arduous process. The seeds of bondage were sown by the words and environment surrounding me. I had no choice but to believe what I was told and that was at times, stay in your place. 

The Bible tells us, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” I thought of myself as poor, Black, and unworthy of certain opportunities. The mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste if it is not allowed to grow and think freely. To experience true freedom, one must first be free in his mind. A bound up mind leads to a bound up existence. If you believe you are a failure, then you are. Breaking through ignorance and discovering who you are is truly a reason to celebrated real freedom.

For years, I suffered from an identity crisis caused by the negative words spoken over me as a child—words of discouragement and despair which cut deep. I had to dig those words out and replace them with good thoughts about who I truly was in God’s eyes. I learned that God didn’t create me to be a second-class citizen. When I realized that God loved the world—and that I was included in that love—my perspective began to change.

Becoming a Christian filled me with hope, but it didn’t change the world around me. I was confused, wondering how to fit in as a Black Christian man in a world of white Christians who saw me as less of a man. The color of my skin put me in a different category even among white Christians. I was considered as a brother but not a brother in the sense of being equal. The pressures of the world effected my white brothers to treat me different than what Christ told them to treat me.  When the Bible says I am more than a conqueror, it meant I could overcome the negative hurdles of Racism and any thing that got in my way. Racism is only one thing we face in this world of sin. 
Faith overcomes them all, no matter how big or small. Living in an oppressed environment does not negate the word of God, because it reaches to highest mountain and  to the flows to the deepest valley. We are in the world but not of the world. God did not put Racism here we did. It is not his creation it's ours. Systems of oppression persist, from police brutality to racial bias in the judicial system. These realities created a storm of thoughts within me. Who was I really? If I was more than a conqueror, where was the evidence?

From the outside, my life might have looked defeated. But through the eyes of faith, as God designed it, I was a true victor. The world is filled with challenges, but when we apply God’s principles, we can break free from negative thinking and embrace the truth that we are more than we realize. God sees us as more than conquerors, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality.

Jesus said, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” This freedom means we can stand confidently, no matter who we face—whether they have more money, education, or power. God’s favor is upon us, and that’s what truly matters. As Black people living in a world that doesn’t always accept us as equals, we must remember that our worth is not determined by others’ opinions but by how we view ourselves. We are more than conquerors because we continue to overcome the obstacles placed before us.

So, be steadfast and unshakable, always abounding in God’s love for humanity.]]><![CDATA[The Ultimate Tragedy: By Gilbert Wilkerson Sr.]]>Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:28:36 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/the-ultimate-tragedy-by-gilbert-wilkerson-sr
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​There are many tragedies in the world but one of the greatest tragedies lie with good people who say nothing or speak up about the bad in the world. Bad people take pleasure in torture, pain, oppression, and the like. Bad people love being bad, they enjoy the power it gives them. Like caring a gun gives one the boldness he or she would not have enjoyed if they had not had a gun. They love the fear they can bring upon people who may be much stronger and bigger than they.  Bad people see themselves as the winners because they take what they want without asking. They abuse because they love to oppress the weak. They also bring terror and fear to people which gives them a sense of glory. They feel empowered by your fear and know you are afraid to challenge them. They breed fear in other people because it gives them a kind of adrenal high.  At the same time bad people experience fear like we do. 

I once met a drug dealer in Washington D.C. who thought I was an undercover cop. I saw the fear in his eyes as he walked around the apartment trying to figure out what to do with me. He had my two female cousins in the back of his apartment and would not allow them to leave with me. They knew the guy because they did drugs with him. I was an out-of-town guest he had never seen before and that made him very nervous. I carried a small camera in my hand, and he did not know what to do with me. I read his body language and eye contact which said, "it's go to jail or fight." He seemed trapped with very few options. He finally walked up to me and said”, Man you gotta leave”, I said, “are my cousins coming with me”? He said, “no! He then opened the door for me to leave, and I walked out. I never went back to visit my cousins again. I was blessed to get out of his apartment alive.  Both my cousins ended up dying very young of drugs overdoses later on.  He was a bad guy but afraid like anyone else who was confronted with something bigger than he.   I saw in his eyes his fear of going to prison.  My two cousins also hung with mean boyfriends who had little respect for them as women. I lived with my uncle during the summer of 75 and I saw how he never confronted her boyfriends about respecting his daughters. We would come back from out of town and they would be sleeping in my uncle’s and aunt’s bed. My uncle would never say one word of rebuke. After traveling three hours late at night we would have to wake them up, wait till they got dressed more than once. She and her boyfriend would take their time while we waited in the hallway as though her boyfriend was the head of the house and was doing us a favor. I thought about what it was like to have a father that would not stand up for his daughters. They fell victim to the bad boys in the streets who abused and beat them. My uncle was full of fear, and he never complained. In the end his two beautiful daughters ended up on drugs and overdosed at a young age. The tragedy was not the drug dealer who kept my two cousins against their will, nor the boyfriends who took their precious  innocent  lives. It was the father who was the worst of them all. He would not speak up for the precious daughters God had given him. They were the most beautiful girls, but once they got into drugs, the beauty turned to misery, they had no life of own. One got her teeth knocked out the other one was just sad to look at. The tragedy is not the drug dealer or the boyfriend but my uncle, the father of the girls. The boyfriends were bad and cruel; the father was the silent one who allowed the bad boys to overcome the life of his daughters.   Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty of the bad people, but the silence of that by the good people.”  My uncle was the ultimate tragedy in this story, because his silence led to his daughter's early death.  The ultimate tragedy was not the oppression and cruelty of the boyfriends, but the silence of the father.  The young men would have shown him respect but no, his silence was a sign he didn’t care. Evil came to roost at his doorstep. 
  Are you silent in life when evil comes your way?  Do you stand up when you see injustice?   Are you the silent one in your community when we see bad things happening? Do we make an effort to do something, or do we allow evil to reign because we are too afraid. Do not allow bad and cruel people to oppress others because sooner or later they will oppress you. 


]]><![CDATA[April 25th, 2022]]>Mon, 25 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/april-19th-2022Picture

​How to Be Productive Even When You Feel Stuck: An unusual perspective on goals, motivation and how to get out of traffic jams. by Elizabeth Reagan 

I want to start by saying that even though this is post about goals and goal setting, it’s not your typical post on the topic. 
There are loads of blog posts, podcasts and books on the subject and I am not going to get into the technical side of it. 
Happy to recommend resources if you’d like, just leave a comment and I’ll let you know where I’ve found superb instruction and information on the topic. 
This is more about the unexpected and unexplainable challenges we face when working towards our goals. 
So these last few weeks I have been in what I refer to as a “munk” or mini-funk.  
You know the feeling… Just not feeling motivated because it felt like all of my effort and work were going nowhere.  
We’ve all been there. 
And this got me thinking about goals. 
I have them. 
They are clear. 
They are measurable. 
They are written down.
I am doing all the things the podcasts, books, and experts say to do around goal setting. 
So why do I feel like I am going nowhere? 
Why do I feel stuck? 
I love what I do so why am I unmotivated?
Despite feeling like I was in a huge fog or spinning my wheels, I still showed up. 
Every. Single. Day.
I was working my way through my endless to-do lists for the endless project lists I have; writing a blog post being one of them.  
To me, there is nothing more frustrating than showing up, giving your all despite the curious lack of clarity and still getting no where.  
I say curious lack of clarity because, like I said, I have crafted beautiful, award-winning, bright shiny goal lists.
I have them broken down into steps that promised to keep me focused, clear and productive.
After all, this IS the main selling point of specific, measurable goal lists. 
(As well as the main selling point for the beautiful, award winning, bright shiny journals where I have written them down.)
They help you get to where you want to go in the least amount of time by offering the map. 
They are the GPS system to help us achieve our dreams. 
They let us know how we are progressing, what we’ve done and what still needs to be done.
You know, they give us clarity.
So you could see why I was confused as to why I felt lost. 
I had completed the assignment and done it well.
I was sticking to it.
I was logging, 12-14 hour days of steady work yet feeling like I got nothing done.
WTH?
This is exactly what setting goals was supposed to help me avoid. 
Talk about injustice.
I have heard it said a million times to expect setbacks, challenges and that perseverance wins.
And I understood this implicitly.
What I didn’t understand was that those setbacks and challenges sometimes come out of nowhere with no explanation.
I always thought I would be able to quickly and accurately identify a setback, challenge or the cause of it. 


An example.. 
I not only design my pieces but also the patterns I use. 
To test my designs and order small quantities for samples, I order from Spoonflower.  
I have a prototype of a shirt in one of my patterns that I love and get many compliments on. 
I was even on a marketing Zoom call one day when the lady I was speaking with saw it in the background and asked if it was one of my pieces. 
I said it was. 
She said “Wow, that’s gorgeous. My brother works for Gucci at the corporate level and this totally looks like something he brings home from work.”  
I want SO badly to produce this shirt but I can’t find a US supplier of the wholesale material that I need to offer this shirt to customers. 
This situation is easily identifiable as a temporary setback or challenge. 
I know EXACTLY why I am frustrated… I can’t find the wholesale material to product this piece in quantity. 
But waking up and not knowing what was causing this frustrated feeling?
This drove me nuts. 
Was it burn out?
Did I not believe in myself enough?
Did I really think I could do this?
I thought I believed in myself so my lack of motivation was doubly frustrating.
Because in my “over-active-0-60-mph-in-1.9-seconds” mind maybe this was a sign that I really didn’t believe in myself. 
PANIC!
Everyone knows belief in yourself is a must-have, non-negotiable element in achieving your dreams.
What if my sub-conscious was punking out on me now that I am closer than ever to my goals? 
(Encouraging Quotable quote here- Every single day that you get up and work towards your goals makes you the closest you’ve ever been. And that is why we keep showing up, we didn’t come this far to only come this far. What was all the hard work and sacrifice for if we quit now? We ARE closer than ever. )
Then it hit me- I was in a traffic jam.
As someone who has taken countless road trips, I know that you can map out your route, estimate how long the trip will take and even know every turn along the way. 
What you can’t know, are the conditions along the way.
And just like my “munk,” sitting in traffic is SO frustrating because you are in the car, you’re on the right route, you know all the turns BUT YOU ARE NOT MOVING. 
But you don’t pull over, shut the car off and refuse to drive.
You don’t turn around and say “Well, guess that means I can’t finish the trip, I”ll head back home now.”
You don’t refuse to drive until traffic breaks.
Sure, you may feel some immediate relief and gratification by choosing one of these approaches, but you’d lose so much ground. 
You’d have made your current effort a total waste.
You’d be so far behind the people who stuck it out, you’d likely never catch up to them. 
Or worse, if you quit and went home, you’d never get to the destination.
Even though it feels like you aren’t moving, all those inches count. 
And before you know it, the traffic breaks.
Same situation here.
I kept showing up.
I kept inching along. 
Then all of sudden… 
One day I showed up and I had a clear and productive day. 
One of the best I can remember ever having. 
When reaching for goals, you are going to encounter traffic jams. 
You can’t predict when, where and as I’ve recently discovered, even WHY they will come but you have to keep inching along if you expect to get out of it. 
And THAT, my friends, is what I wanted to say today. 
To offer encouragement to anyone who is feeling like they are sitting in a traffic jam, getting no results despite showing up and taking all the right steps. 
Stick with it. 
It does get easier. 
You got this. 
Elizabeth Reagan, sits on the Advisory Board for Black Society for Economic and Social Transformation, but also a fast rising entrepreneur clothing designer.  ​
Read more of Elizabeth's blogs at: https://www.elizabethreagan.com
]]><![CDATA[Car Buying Advice: Read These Tips First Before Hitting Dealerships]]>Mon, 24 Jan 2022 23:55:17 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/car-buying-advice-read-these-tips-first-before-hitting-dealershipsWas your family thinking of purchasing a new-to-you, used car in the future? Large purchases can sometimes feel very stressful, as you are investing a lot of money into buying something that you hope will enable you and your loved ones to travel safely to work, school, and everything in between.
Next to buying a home, a vehicle is the biggest purchase most people will make. Furthermore, once you sign a contract, there is typically no turning back. Virginia, like many other states, has no cooling off period. This means that, once you sign the purchase paperwork, the vehicle is yours. Thus it is critical that you do your research beforehand. It is even more important to perform research when purchasing a used car, as many used cars may be sold "as is," meaning that, once you sign the contract, the dealer is not required to repair the vehicle or allow you to cancel the contract if you encounter problems with the vehicle.
Attorney John Cole Gayle, Jr. is a consumer law attorney who specializes in auto dealer fraud and Lemon Law in Virginia, and he has created this guide, to help you. Here are some important tips that Mr. Gayle encourages you to keep in mind, before you start your car-purchasing journey.
Perform preliminary research of makes and models.Compare different year, makes, and models online, to see how various vehicles are rated for reliability, safety, and performance. You may want to check Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. Car Complaints is another good site (https://www.carcomplaints.com/). 
Choose a car dealership with care.  Ask family members and friends if they can recommend a dealership with whom they had a positive experience. You may also research dealerships by visiting the Better Business Bureau's website (www.bbb.org) to see how they rate the dealership, how many consumer complaints have been made against the dealership, and how many of those have been resolved. Read online reviews on  Yelp. (Note: when dealers know you are shopping around at other dealerships, they may be more willing to negotiate a lower price.) 
Narrow your vehicle search to a few vehicles you’re interested in.  Once you have found a reputable dealership(s), go to their website and find a couple of vehicles you are interested in buying. 
Take a screen capture of the advertisement. Capture the ad by either taking a screenshot, saving it as a PDF, or printing it out on paper. You would be surprised at how FAST dealerships take down ads after the sale. Just to be safe, we recommend you save the ads of all the vehicles you are thinking of purchasing. 
Always bring a witness with you.If you ever run into problems down the road, it is imperative that you have a trusted family member or friend (who is 18 or older) to accompany you, when you purchase a vehicle. Make sure that your witness hears everything that is said during the entire buying process, from the give and take between you and the salesperson when you ask questions to the test drive to signing the purchase paperwork. The witness can be a spouse or co-signer.
Ask questions.Take a pad of paper, pen, and a list of questions. Ask your witness if they can write down the questions and resultant answers. If you are unsure of a response from the salesperson, ask him/her to repeat the answer.
Ask questions that are based on fact, that can either be proven or disproved. For instance, “Has this vehicle even been in an accident or been damaged?” is a fact-based question. “Is this vehicle a good car?” is an opinion-based question and cannot be proven as false. In the salesperson’s mind, the car may be a good car—even if the car has significant problems. Maybe what they consider to be a good car is drastically different than what you do.
Fact-Based Questions to Ask a Seller
  • Has this vehicle been in an accident and/or been damaged? [It is vital to know about either.]
  • Has this vehicle ever had a branded title?
  • Has this vehicle ever been in a flood?
  • Does the vehicle have any rust on it? If so, where?
  • How many owners has the vehicle had?
  • What repairs have been done to this vehicle?
  • Where did you obtain this vehicle from?
  • Did you purchase this vehicle from an auction?
  • In what state was this vehicle last registered in?
  • Are you aware of the vehicle having any problems?
  • Does this vehicle have any engine problems? Transmission problems? Brake problems?
  • Is this vehicle in need of any major or minor repairs?
  • Does this vehicle have any structural issues? Frame damage?
Know your budgetBefore you venture out to the first dealership, sit down and figure out what your budget is. You may even consider applying and obtaining pre-approval for financing. If you keep your financing separate from the vehicle purchase, you may feel less pressure to impulsively buy a vehicle from a dealer that promises to obtain financing for you. Furthermore, the dealer makes more on the financing. For instance, the higher the interest rate that the dealership gets you to agree to, the more money the dealer makes. The dealership may also quote you an interest rate or monthly payment that is higher than the amount that was approved by the lender.
Also remember to contact your insurance company to get a quote on car insurance based on the year, make, model and mileage of the vehicle and include that cost in your overall budget. Consider the amount of your down payment, the trade-in value of your old car, the length of the loan, the interest rate, and what the amount of your monthly payment will be. Here are two helpful calculators: How much car can I afford? and Estimate monthly payment.
Research the history and value of the vehicle, yourself Pull a Carfax.com and an AutoCheck.com report of the car yourself, if the dealership does not produce one for you. You will need the vehicle’s VIN number. The report may show whether the car has been in any accidents, whether it is a flood-damaged, salvaged or repurchased Lemon vehicle, what the odometer reading was at last service, whether it was previously a leased or Fleet vehicle, whether the car was sold at auction, and how many previous owners there have been. Keep in mind that occasionally the reports may lag or not contain complete information; however, they are useful resources for better understanding a vehicle’s history.
Please be aware that the two companies listed above use different databases and, even if a report is clear, that does NOT mean that the car has never been damaged in the past.
We also recommend checking out the VIN on the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVITAS) website. This website contains a list of links where you can obtain vehicle history reports. CarsForSale (https://www.carsforsale.com/free-vehicle-history-reports) provides consumers with a limited number of searches per day. In addition, you may try searching the internet for the VIN. You may also want to search the internet to see if there are any recalls on the vehicle by visiting https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. 
Find out the actual market value of the vehicleCheck Kelly Blue Book, National Automobile Dealers Association, or Edmunds for the market value of the car you want to buy. You'll need to know the year, make, model, and mileage of the vehicle in question. Print that out and bring it with you to the dealership so you can use it in your negotiations.
Visually inspect the vehicleOpen the car doors and look at the door jams, to see if it has been repainted. If you suspect the vehicle had been in an accident, then ask another person to drive the car drive straight and then stand behind the vehicle and look at it. The frame should look like a rectangle. If it looks like a parralelagram, then it may have been in accident. Drive the car until you reach at least 60 MPH for a couple of miles (maybe take it from one exit on the highway to the next).
Take the vehicle out for a test driveIf there are issues with the vehicle that seem major, then be certain you are willing to fix the issues. If the dealership promises to fix the issues, ask them if they will put that promise in writing—and consider if you honestly want to go through the hassle of making sure they hold true to their promise.
Pause before purchasing a vehicle with significant warning lights.If you see any warning lights pop up on the dash board, especially a check engine light or another significant system light, then reflect before buying the vehicle. If you have issues later, related to those warning lights, then you knew about the issues and bought the vehicle anyway.
Take the vehicle to a mechanic and a body shop to be inspected. This may be the most important step of all. If you have followed all the previous steps and are pretty sure you are going to buy the car, then the final tip is to take the car to a trusted mechanic and a body shop, to have it looked over. The mechanic should not be affiliated with the dealership. Yes, you will pay the inspector for his/her time, but it may save you thousands of dollars and headache in the long run. The money you pay to avoid buying a problematic car will be money well spent, if you avoid costly and possibly dangerous problems in the future. If the mechanic finds something wrong, but you are still interested in buying the vehicle, you can share the defects that the mechanic found with the dealer–and ask for the price to lowered.
Negotiate the price.These days you can negotiate a price online and over the phone. Ask them to confirm the negotiated price in writing via fax or email. 
Negotiating over the phone and online may give you an advantage, since you have more time to consider an offer and make a counter-offer without feeling pressured.
While advertised vehicle prices are supposed to include everything except for tax, tag, title and Lemon Law fees, many dealerships nevertheless state prices that do not include the dealer fee or certain add-ons. So, in your negotiations, always insist that the dealer give you the out-the-door price and show you the breakdown of that price. In addition, make sure that the price given is the one that corresponds to the financing terms you want.
Read the purchase paperwork carefully before signing.Take your time and review the paperwork very carefully. This cannot be stressed enough. Get all verbal promises in writing. Don’t buy what you don’t want or need. Additional options (such as paint sealants, additional undercoating, fabric treatments and anti-theft parts etching) and additional services (such as extended warranties or service contracts, routine maintenance packages, credit life or credit disability insurance) should be evaluated carefully as they may not be necessary or worth the price.
Take your time.Don't give in to high-pressure tactics. You can walk away. You can sleep on it. You can go look at another car at another dealership and then come back (or not). There will always be good cars/good deals. Relax, breathe and remember to listen to your gut. 
Before you buy the vehicle, sleep on the decision. If you sleep on the purchase decision, then you are less likely to buy on impulse.
Forcing yourself to sleep on a car purchase may mean that you are limited to buying the vehicle closer to home, as it is not always practical to drive two hours away, inspect a vehicle, and then go home, sleep on it, and then return the next day. However, the benefit of pausing before buying a vehicle is that you may save yourself a lot of stress, issues, and money in the future. In fact, it may be wise in general to purchase vehicles closer to home. Consider this: if you experience issues with the vehicle and live far away, consider the cost and inconvenience of returning to the dealership to have problems resolved. Is the “deal” that much better than possible inconvenience?
Bottom line: Don't give in to high-pressure tactics. You can walk away. You can go look at another car at another dealership and then come back (or not). There will always be good cars/good deals. Relax, breathe and remember to listen to your gut. 
Attorney John Cole Gayle, Jr. of The Consumer Law Group, P.C. hopes you will follow these steps and are able to buy a safe, reliable used car in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
Written by Attorney John Cole Gayle, Jr. and Jennifer Gruber
]]><![CDATA[To Do Justice and Love Mercy by Gilbert Wilkerson Sr. Posted 2021]]>Mon, 04 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.black-society.org/carbuyersbeware/to-do-justice-and-love-mercy-by-gilbert-wilkerson-sr-posted-2021We are told by God to do justice and love mercy. When we hear these words we take it to mean the police and courts, but that is not the case. God is talking to all those who follow him. This is not a request but a command that we should follow. We have forgotten to act on these immortal words but how could we forget something so important and vital to our existence.  What is the definition of Justice? It means, “just behavior or treatment, the principle or idea of dealing with right actions. Quality of conforming to the law. Justice is a concept of ethics and law that means that people behave in a way that is fair, equal and balanced for everyone.”
Are we  looking for justice when we go out into the public arena? We look for respect because it's the right behavior and conduct in a healthy society.  Although this is justice it's only natural justice which we express everyday.  God is telling us to go beyond this usual everyday justice that we exhibit and move out of our comfort zones to a justice and mercy unfamiliar to us. We like to always be in the receiving mode and not proactive in showing Justice and mercy to others. 
You have been blessed and fortunate to escape the jaws of poverty but you fail to look back and see other black families who are struggling to raise families while carrying the heavy burden of poverty and despair. Their skin like yours cries out to be liberated from the bondage and burdens laid upon them from birth. In the black community alone we see suffering of poor blacks strangling in the vicious cycle of past generational poverty and racism. When we see the plight of blacks in the inner cities we ask God why don’t you do something? I can see God standing silently looking at us, his countenance in disbelief. He is bewildered to see why we have not done something to help when we had the means to do so. The burden on the backs of black families is much lighter when we come alongside and help. We wonder why God has not lifted the burden off the back of the black man and he is wondering why we have not done so instead. Or better yet, should you and I turn to the government and ask them to do what God commanded us to do“?” It is evident that the government does little or nothing to solve the problems in the black community. Government says, “You need me, remain where you are. I will take care of you with plenty of food stamps and assistance enough to keep you in poverty”  Our youth are struggling with an identity crisis while absentee fathers are on the rise. The black church has forfeited its obligation to relieve the suffering of those within its reach“.” Drugs and school dropout rates are at a pandemic level.   

We are God’s hands and feet to relieve the oppressed black man in his  affliction. God is not going to come from heaven and go to the inner cities when you and I live just a few blocks away. To do justice and show mercy is our duty and not others. 
Join us at  Black Society by getting involved in helping relieve the oppressed and setting those ensnared by poverty’s brutal enslavement a way to be free in body, soul and mind. How can you do justice and show mercy?  Volunteer one hour a day or three hours a week, working with Black Society in positions which fit your profession. Board positions and committee positions are open and need filling from all races.  Donate funds for the different projects we create to help such as the youth, dads and daughters and struggling families etc, 

A man sitting on the subway saw a blind beggar woman moving through the train with a small tin cup begging. The givers and the receiving blind begging woman were both touched.  He saw the woman by the generosity and compassion of the givers and the givers by the gratitude and humility of the  woman. Will you touch some grateful family today? In doing so you will fulfill God's command of doing justice and showing mercy.
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