Movers & Shakers: Erdolo Eromo (AUDIO)

Erdolo Eromo is one of the youngest senior executives in the mobile industry, and serves as Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Services at Mobile Messenger. He is responsible for identifying opportunities and designing strategies for sales growth. By many, Erdolo is considered to be an expert in identifying trends in the mobile commerce space as well as finding new opportunities in which the mobile phone can be used as a billing platform.

Listen in as we chat about his move to Los Angeles from Addis Ababa, Ethopia when he was eight years old, how his industry is thriving in the midst of a weak economy, and how everyone has an opportunity to make money in the world of mobile technology.

Photos by Mark Valenzuela Photography

Are You Financially Ready To Move In Together?

Moving in together as a couple is more than deciding who gets the “good side” of the bed and finding the best spot to stash the PlayStation.

Not only will you be sharing household bills and probably setting up joint bank account, but you’ll also get up close and personal with your partner’s money demons for the first time.

“A husband or wife,  even a boyfriend or a girlfriend, is not a financial plan,” says Dr. Taffy Wagner, CEO of  Money Talk Matters. “We’ve seen  enough drama on Court TV shows.”

As a certified personal finance educator and author of Bride and Groom Money Talk FAQ, Wagner’s an expert on all things relationships and finances.

Before you start building a bigger closet, make sure you’re both ready to merge your finances by checking for these six signs:

1. You can talk money without arguing. Per Wagner: “When you can openly discuss finances without arguing and blaming the other person when there is a financial issue,” you’re on the right track. “The people in this situation would also be able to discuss a financial issue and reach a viable solution that is best for the overall relationship.”

2. You don’t feel controlled. So long as your partner isn’t peering over your shoulder each time you whip out the checkbook and you feel like you have equal ownership of your shared finances, you should be in good shape. “In some relationships money is used to control the other person,” Wagner says. “People do not like to be controlled, let alone using money to do it.” (It’s also a great way to wreck your relationship.)

3. You’ve both taken a good look at the other’s credit report. Forget sharing toothbrushes—forking over your credit history is a huge sign of financial trust in a relationship. It’s unavoidable, especially if you’re looking to buy or rent a home together, and a good place to get equal footing. “T he  couple has to decide whether or not their place of residence will be in  the name of both or just one person,” Wagner says. “Sharing the credit reports will  remove the ‘hidden element’ of potentially one person not having good  credit and that impacting the other person.”

4. You’re both paying the bills on time. If you don’t have to worry about your partner missing the cable bill, it’s a good sign he or she would make a great roommate. “If  one person is not paying their bills on time; have the discussion as to  why they are not and what is their game plan for getting back on track,” Wagner says. “If  they do not have a game plan for getting on track – that should be seen as a red flag and you should delay moving in together.

5. You don’t break out in a cold sweat when talking about the future. ” Knowing for  sure if you are compatible requires taking time to get to know each other  with friends, family and away from them,” Wagner says. “You need to make sure that the  other person is not just pretending. What do you both think about saving  money? What are each other’s plan for retirement?”

6. When you both know how to handle the worst. “ Ask the  person how they handled their last financial challenge. Did they run to  their parents? Did they get an advance at their job? Or did they  re-evaluate their spending, make adjustments and get it cleared up?” Wagner says. The answer will clue you into what kind of support you can expect if you ever run into a tight spot and need a partner to lean on.

 

Source: Yahoo

How To Get Your “Boo” To Commit

Myth: (Tina) If I do everything he wants he’ll give me what I want…a relationship.

Truth: (Maurice) She does everything I like but: “Hello, Brenda….”

What is the disconnect? Too often women mistake being “the perfect woman” with being “his woman.” We tend to feel like we have poured everything into creating the facade of being seemingly perfect for the men in our lives only to be met with resistance on sealing the deal.

Whether the goal is to get the ring or just to move up from “boo” status, the same truths apply. There is something to be said for the women that continue on building their lives with vigor the way the had before Prince LeRoy showed up. Caught up in the rapture of a budding love can make you want to slowly devote more time to him and less energy into what you were doing. Men like women that have their own! Now anyone that knows me knows I believe in a man being a man and providing for his wife but ladies, key word is WIFE! The more you are able to do for yourself the less dependent you will be on the man thus allowing the relationship to naturally progress without anyone feeling used or developing resentment. Get your own! Have your own! Best case scenario is that when that brotha comes along and sees what you have done without him he’ll view you as an asset and not a liability.

The sense of entitlement has to stop. Those chicks will remain single. To expect that a man will take care of you, buy you nice things all in exchange for you just “being you” is unrealistic. Should your man want to do nice things for you and lighten your load YES! But are you expecting someone to swoop in and save you from the life you have created? Take a hard look at what you are tangibly bringing to the table. The reality is that in this day and age men have a ton of options. There is no recession of women who want to be wives but there is a recession on men that want to marry them. To separate yourself from the pack, get busy courting yourself. Make sure that you have done everything in your power to become who you want to be before that man puts a ring on it. We are all works in progress but diligently work at your own bringing your dreams into reality.

Tips for getting a man to commit:

  • DO YOU! Most men can appreciate a woman who is unapologetic for carving her way in life. Let your natural radiance be the attraction. Your light should be so bright, it blinds him.
  • Ms. Independent is STILL Single– There is a fine line we as women must tow. Don’t be so independent that you forget who is the man. Make him feel wanted and needed in ways that he will respond to. Ask him to open pickle jars or to kill a spider. Small gestures, but trust me, he’ll be happy to puff out his chest and save the day.
  • Have a life! Go out with your girls. Take a trip solo or just go to the movies on a Saturday night. Don’t assume that every weekend is reserved for Boo-lovin. Chances are after a few weekends of you having a “life” he will be more than anxious to give you the attention you need.
  • Show, don’t tell– Men aren’t women. We are the ones that want to be told how much we are loved. Men need action! Do something for him that is solely for his benefit. Only you know what that is. Be creative.
  • NEWSFLASH!!!!! You aren’t the first woman to do whatever it is you are doing for him! I know, I know this is a shocker. We all want to think that they have never had a woman like us. Well the care packages and cards you sent are not the only ones he’s ever gotten. Women cook and clean for them dating back to their mothers! The ones that get wifed give something to that man that he can’t get ANYWHERE ELSE. Find out what your man values – that’s the key to this Chinese arithmetic.
  • Don’t worry, be happy! We want men to tell us they will always be with us and never leave, then sign it in blood! The reality is that no one can make that promise not even us. Everyday that is given is another day that you will both get to decide to be together or not. The idea is that each day is better than the last so that both of you keep deciding to be in it for years to come.
  • Don’t lose yourself. Do not allow yourself to become so consumed with the idea of marriage and family that you begin to unconsciously lower your standards to meet your timeline. Let it be ORGANIC! Like Whole Foods. If not, don’t force it. Take the path of least resistance.
  • Love thyself. Love starts with you. Love everything about you. Love your flaws and all. Truly fall in love with who you are and who you are becoming. Don’t wait for a man to show up to be the person you can love. You already have someone that needs some good lovin!
  • Be fluid. “If it don’t fit, you must acquit!” The famous words of the late Johnnie Cochran are certainly applicable. Let it be what it is. If you have to ask what is, it probably isn’t anything. Release the idea and move on.
  • Stay prayed up! Chile you are going to have to spend some time in that prayer closet to close this deal! This is not a easy merger. Ask for God’s will to be done and really mean it. Praying for what you want is great but listening to what He wants for you is even better.

Mikki Bey is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist who believes in the power of the Universe to bring her all the desires of her heart. Fearless, determined and capable – she’s a bad mamajama!