If you have been receiving a relatively large tax refund (refund in access of $1,500) in the past couple of years, yet you’re finding it hard to make ends meet. This article is for you.
Nearly 70 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. After they pay their monthly expenses and debts, they have nothing left over to save and invest for future goals, payoff debt and/or spend on activity that’s conducive toward romance, amusement, and entertainment.

Community conversation

APRIL 14—The Center for Inclusion in Health Care and the Supply Chain Management Department at UPMC will host their “Community Conversation: Supplier Diversity” from 3-5 p.m. at UPMC Herberman Conference Center, 5150 Centre Ave., Shadyside. The conference will address the state of minority business in the Pittsburgh region and the creation of a collaborative initiative to increase the utilization of these businesses. Special presentations include “The State of Minority Business” by Dr. Audrey Murrell and “Awakening the Region to Supplier Diversity and Inclusion.” Lynne Hayes-Freeland will be the event moderator. For more information, call Matt Arch at 412-864-3582 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Mrs. Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio, recently passed after having spent 106 years in this life. As a fellow church member, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Mrs. Johnson on numerous occasions and to share her philosophy of life. Just before her 99th birthday she reflected on her life in the following way, “I have had a wonderful life. God has been good to me. I’ve always tried to be a good Christian and help people in any way I could. The secret to a rich life is to have a passion for living, strong relationships with others and to be at peace with one’s self.”

Proud to be considered a minority- and veteran-owned business enterprise, the father and son team of Kenneth and Chad Elliott are looking forward to becoming a premier distributorship in the western Pennsylvania region. “We offer experience that puts us in a unique position, which will keep us ahead of the industry,” said 29-year-old Chad. He indicated that together he and his father offer more than 36 years experience in sales and 13 years in business management.

In 1997, Kenneth initiated his business by becoming an independent AMSOIL dealer. “I was introduced to the business but did not do anything with it,” he said. “Throughout the years I kept renewing the dealership. To day I am glad I did,” he said.

FATHER AND SON DUO—Owners of The Elliott Group, Chad and Kenneth Elliott, display just a few of the items from their distributorship business aimed at providing cost-effective procurement solutions for public and private businesses.