This article was contributed by reader Shakira Hightower, a Graduate student at Spelman College. You can check out her blog at http://shakirahightower.blogspot.com/****Some people are just making ends meet.You know how it goes: paid on the first of the month but by the end of the two weeks, there’s barely enough money to get you through until the next check is disbursed and cashed.Lynn Richardson knows all about this kind of situation. A situation that is unfortunately--for a lot of Americans more than that—it is a vicious cycle.

Photo Credit: lynnrichardson.com

A powerhouse behind the financial literacy component of Russell Simmons’s Hip Hop Action Network says that after graduating college at the head of her class, she went on to work in prominient roles within the working world including a six-figured salaried post with a global powerhouse among financial institutions.Richardson confesses that despite the elite membership within the upper percentiles of American wage-earners, she could not say that she actualized much wealth. Why? Poor spending patterns which included a failure to save.“Rich people stay rich because they act poor,” says Richardson.How do we reverse this epidemic?“Dr.” Richardson says the prescription is quite simple. In fact, it’s as simple as 1-2-3 or more like 10 10 30 50.“When I get money, the first thing I do is tithe,” says Richardson.“The next 10% has to be saved. I’ve got to save for the famine. The cycles of history repeat.”“In order for capitalism to exist there must be an [impoverished class],” Richardson states.So while money could be added to the economy, it is not within the interest of the world’s top economists—who work closely with and influence government—to strike an equilibrium because of the nature of capitalism. It feeds on service.Richardson continues by detailing capitalism as an economic system in which an underclass is required. The underclass maintains levels that are segregated in many ways—many are used for purpose of maintaining the illusion of grandeur of the bourgeois or top-ranked class. The heads of capitalism can then continue to monopolize.“The next 30% goes into my pocket as cash!” the financial guru says of her 10 10 30 50 recommendation.While it can be tough for people to stick to budgets given the bright colors, lights, bells, and whistles of the global marketplace, the work can be done.“The entire advertising business is set up to [increase capitalism],” Richardson reminds.Advertising appeals to our subconscious minds to buy. Richardson continues to emphasize the fact that this capitalism co-hort helps to ensure that a large number of workers are employed on lower levels within the capitalistic infrastructure to keep the machine going. In turn, workers are given meager wages in exchange for their physical and mental muscle. In the end, there’s no balance, Richardson relays.With all of this knowledge in your Prada purse, remember there’s also a final 50 percent remaining.There are lots of ways to use it responsibly including the payment of debts or adding even more to savings.Richardson hints, “Wealthy people buy pre-driven and owned vehicles. [They also] make a choice to live below [their] means.”Richardson also says increasing numbers of expenses are a “don’t.”Becoming an entrepreneur is classified by Richardson as a “do.”“Everyone has favor, “ she says. Whether financial, social, or educational, use your favor to create multiple streams of income.***Thank you Shakira for your enlightening article! What do you readers think? Did Lynn Richardson's statements ring true with you? Share your comments below.