Angela Goode-Taylor Life Strategies

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Angela Goode-Taylor Life Strategies I’m an Information Broker. I share tools, resources, and smart strategies to help people start, grow, and expand their business. What's your question? 👇

Providing practical information to help people improve their lives personally and professionally. My skill set includes basic website design, internet marketing, and social media.

10/13/2026

💼 Business & Entrepreneurship

NEW TODAY: Small-business optimism declines as uncertainty rises

Report released: October 13, 2026

The National Federation of Independent Business released its September Small Business Economic Trends survey this morning.

The findings suggest that business owners are becoming more cautious about expansion, hiring, and spending.

Business indicator for September 2026

Change

Small Business Optimism Index
97.9 - Down 0.8 points

Small Business Uncertainty Index
90 - Up 1 point

Owners citing labor quality as their biggest problem - 26% Up 3 points

Owners citing inflation as their biggest problem - 20% Up 4 points

Owners saying it's a good time to expand - 7% Down 5 points

The optimism reading is slightly below its 52-year historical average of 98.0. The uncertainty reading remains substantially above its historical average of 68.

Source: NFIB - NFIB Small Business Association

10/09/2026

Good Friday Morning 🌞 -

Today's top development:

Mortgage rates have risen for the seventh consecutive week, reaching their highest level in nearly three years. Meanwhile, a new small-business technology report reveals how AI is changing entrepreneurship, and social media platforms are making another important shift in how they compete for advertisers and audiences.

🏠 Today's Mortgage Rate Alert

Freddie Mac released its latest weekly mortgage survey on Thursday, October 8.

Mortgage type: 30-year fixed

October 8 - 7.40%

October 1 - 7.28%

Weekly change - +0.12 percentage points

Mortgage Type: 15-year fixed

October 8 - 6.73%

October 1 - 6.60%

Weekly change - +0.13 percentage points

The 30-year average was 6.30% one year ago. This week's increase marks the seventh consecutive weekly rise. (Resource - Freddie Mac +1)

For perspective, consider a $400,000 mortgage over 30 years:

Interest rate - 6.30%

Approximate monthly principal and interest - $2,476

Interest rate - 7.28%

Approximate monthly principal and interest - $2,739

Interest rate - 7.40%

Approximate monthly principal and interest - $2,769

At 7.40%, the payment is approximately $293 more per month than at 6.30%, or roughly $3,516 more per year. These illustrations exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, PMI, and other ownership expenses.

What this means: Even when sellers lower their asking prices, higher mortgage rates can make the total monthly payment less affordable.

Value is not always in the price.Price alone does not determine value.A $5 product or planner isn't automatically a bett...
10/08/2026

Value is not always in the price.

Price alone does not determine value.

A $5 product or planner isn't automatically a better purchase than a $10 system.

A house with a $15,000 price reduction isn't automatically more affordable when financing costs have risen sharply.

Today's Strategy Tip:

Look past the headline number and understand the complete decision.

Drop a set of 👀 if you plan on looking past the price tag on your next purchase.

Good Saturday Morning 🌄 Today's "I wanna know question 🤔 ❓ How do you save money 💰?A. Cut costs ✂️B. Put money in a cook...
09/12/2026

Good Saturday Morning 🌄

Today's "I wanna know question 🤔 ❓

How do you save money 💰?

A. Cut costs ✂️

B. Put money in a cookie jar 🫙 😁

C. Stash cash in an envelope ✉️

D. Direct deposit from paycheck 💵 to savings 🏦

E. I just can't save any money 💸 😤

Let's see 👀 what the majority answers.

🌞 Good Friday Morning!🏠 Today’s Life Strategy News: Mortgage Rates & the Housing MarketIf buying a home is one of your f...
09/11/2026

🌞 Good Friday Morning!

🏠 Today’s Life Strategy News: Mortgage Rates & the Housing Market

If buying a home is one of your future goals, here are a few numbers worth watching.

According to Freddie Mac’s September 10 update, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.76%, up from 6.71% the previous week. The average 15-year fixed rate was 6.09%.

At the same time, buyers are seeing more homes come onto the market. Recent Redfin national data showed new listings up 8% year over year, while more than 20% of listings had experienced a price reduction.

💡 What does that mean?

Mortgage financing remains expensive, but increased inventory may give some buyers more room to negotiate on things such as:

• Purchase price
• Seller credits
• Repairs
• Closing costs
• Possible rate-buydown assistance

📌 My Life Strategy Takeaway:

Mortgage rates went up—but buyers may be gaining something else: negotiating power.

Watch these two things together:

Mortgage Rates + Housing Inventory

Rates affect what it costs to finance a home. Inventory can affect how much leverage buyers have when negotiating.

🏡 A Personal Tip From My 30+ Years of Lending Experience:

If buying your first home—or your next home—is one of your goals, start preparing before you're ready to shop.

Review your credit.
Look at your budget.
Start building your savings.
Learn what you may qualify for.
Create a realistic home-buying timeline.

Don't wait until you find the house you love to discover that your finances aren't ready for the mortgage.

A home-buying strategy starts long before the house hunt.

Have a Sensational Friday! 💚

For educational and informational purposes only. Mortgage rates and individual loan terms vary.

Sources: Freddie Mac; Redfin

Today's Money Strategy - Don't be afraid to sell stuff, get an online gig, pick up a side hustle to get what you want or...
08/26/2026

Today's Money Strategy -

Don't be afraid to sell stuff, get an online gig, pick up a side hustle to get what you want or need.

You don't have to do it forever. Sometimes, you only have to do it long enough to accomplish your goal.

Love ❤️ Peace ✌️ & Money 💰

🎉 IT'S READY!I created something for anyone who has a goal they want to accomplish but feels like there are simply too m...
08/20/2026

🎉 IT'S READY!

I created something for anyone who has a goal they want to accomplish but feels like there are simply too many things competing for their attention.

Introducing the **FREE 7-Day Strategic Thinking Quick Win.**

Instead of trying to fix everything at once, you'll choose ONE meaningful result and spend the next seven days moving it forward.

Inside, you'll:

✨ Choose your 7-day Quick Win
🎯 Identify your highest-value action
📅 Create a simple 7-day action plan
🧠 Use a 10-minute daily strategy session
✍🏽 Review what worked at the end of the week

This isn't about doing MORE.

It's about getting clearer about what deserves your attention.

If you've been overwhelmed, scattered, procrastinating, or simply ready to make progress on something important, start here.

🎁 **Get your FREE 7-Day Strategic Thinking Quick Win here:**

👉🏽 https://angela-goode-taylor.kit.com/free3page7-daystrategicthinkingquickwin

After you download it, come back and tell me:

**What's YOUR 7-day Quick Win?**

Today's: I want to know question❓ “What expense would you cut first if income dropped?”Share with us.
08/18/2026

Today's: I want to know question❓

“What expense would you cut first if income dropped?”

Share with us.

Today's: I want to know question❓“Would you rather save $500 or make an extra $500?”Let's get the conversation started.
08/17/2026

Today's: I want to know question❓

“Would you rather save $500 or make an extra $500?”

Let's get the conversation started.

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