#5SmartReads - March 15, 2022

Hitha on 'buy now, pay later', the global impact of Russia's invasion, and how we spend our alone time

This week’s #5SmartReads is sponsored by Blue Apron.

How buy now, pay later loans could alter credit (Associated Press)

Have you used one of the ‘buy now, pay later’ options when buying something online?

You’re not alone - almost 100 million others used the same option in the past year. But you may want to use them cautiously, as they lack the protections that your credit or debit cards offer and don’t contribute to building your credit, thus helping your credit score.

That’s not to say that the credit bureaus aren’t working on how to utilize this data (and at what cost, with these “buy now pay later” loan operators). But I hope this article helps shed some light on the cost of convenience, and helps you make the best spending decisions for you.

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What an interventional radiologist does in a workday (The Lily)

I love a day-in-the-life, and this one is especially fascinating.

It’s also refreshing to hear from someone with an incredibly fulfilling home life and career to be honest about the lack of morning routine and how she just jumps into parent mode in the morning, as well as the specific things her caregiver does to show that we cannot do it all.

Dr. Baheti’s early bedtime is what I’m most envious about, and the one thing I plan to work on adopting for myself. In bed by 9:30? Now that sounds like heaven.

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How the war in Ukraine hurts the U.S. economy (Axios)

Did I pick this article partly for the reference to The Godfather 3 (which, Sofia Coppola’s performance aside, was actually a pretty solid film)? Yes.

Also, because it is an important read to put things in context as it relates to the global economy.

Russia is one of the world’s largest suppliers of oil and natural gas, especially to most of Europe (it is also India’s largest defense supplier, hence the country’s abstaining of condemning Russia at the UN).

The TL;DR - it’s going to get worse before it gets better, and the cost of war is something the entire planet will feel.

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How Do You Spend Time Alone? (The Fashion Magpie)

My answer will come as no surprise to you - I read.

I’ll crawl back into bed with my Kindle, or bring it into the bathroom and soak in the tub while reading a romance novel. I’ll listen to a nonfiction book or thriller while strolling through Central Park.

I miss crafting (I haven’t picked up my needlepoint canvas in weeks). Cooking does give me a sense of calm, but it’s been a weekend-only ritual these past four weeks.

But reading - I make time for it every single day, though it looks different each day. And it really helps me feel like me.

Not mom/wife/daughter/speaker/writer/leader. Just Hitha - a refreshed, recharged one at that.

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Black business ownership is higher than pre-pandemic. Women are driving that growth (NPR)

“Tompkins Avenue was dubbed "Black Girl Magic Street" after news about their efforts were reported. Joseph smiles when she hears the nickname. "Black women have been able to really rise up in times that you just have to get it done," Joseph says. "It's like a magical thing. Like you can turn chitlins into a gourmet dish. Black girl magic is all about how women literally can turn dust into gold.""

Now imagine if Black owners like Tiecha Merritt, Hekima Hapa, Khadija Tudor, and Isha Joseph were able to raise capital to scale their incredibly successful businesses with the ease as many founders who have an idea and the right network.

That’s the world I want to live in.