If you think domestic violence against women has been in the news a lot lately, it might be that the failing economy has something to do with it.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline conducted a survey from November 12 to December 31 last year asking 7,868 callers to the hot line about the connection between financial issues and the level of violence in their household:

"54% answered yes to the question, 'Has there been a change in your household's financial situation in the last year?'; and 64% also answered the second question affirmatively, which was, 'Do you believe the abusive behavior has increased in the past year?'"

These results suggest that there is a greater chance that the amount of violence in households will increase during times of financial crisis. While we tend to focus on the physical abuse in domestic violence cases, as the economy worsens, women need to be aware of economic abuse -- when the abuser uses someone's lack of financial independence to keep them trapped in an abusive relationship.

Every year there are changes in the tax law that may mean the difference between getting a tax refund or owing the government. With just over a month left before income taxes come due, it's important that everyone take every deduction they are entitled to. How can you find out more about tax deductions?

The IRS has a list of 13 adjustments to the tax laws that affect individual filers on their 2008 returns on its website. The changes include child-related adjustments, such as child investment income, adoption benefits and additional child tax credits, as well as the new "Recovery Rebate Credit" that is available to those who did not receive an economic stimulus payment last year (or received a payment that was less than the maximum that they could have received). Check out the full list as you file your return.

You should also know that among the changes to tax law is an increase in the penalty for not filing a return. What did you expect when the nation is running trillion-dollar deficits? It's just an incentive from Uncle Sam to get you to file prior to the April 15 deadline.

You should take advantage of the helpful information for filers online.

Findings from a recent study commissioned by talk-show host Tavis Smiley and Nationwide Insurance reveal that although African Americans are talking positively about their financial situations in the face of the ongoing economic crisis, they are not taking proper actions to produce positive results for their finances.

Smiley announced the survey results on February 27th during the 10th Annual State of the Black Union conference. The study said that 58% of African Americans believe their household situation will be better a year from now, compared with 30% of the general population -- but most African Americans also admitted that they are not taking deliberate actions to improve their financial circumstances. According to the study:

"Less than half said they are proactive about their financial future; Three-quarters said they do not have a written financial plan; One-third said they don't know where to start when it comes to personal financial planning, and; Nearly nine out of ten acknowledged that they do not have a financial adviser because they think they don't need one or they think they can't afford one"

It's hard to see how these attitudes are going to help African Americans obtain the American Dream.

In a press release, Tavis Smiley indicated that while the positive attitude was welcome, he didn't think African Americans were as "practical, proactive and prepared" as they need to be. "This survey reveals the critical need for an honest assessment of our financial status so that we can be sure that we are taking the steps necessary to safeguard the future for ourselves, our families and the next generation," he said.

So how do you become more proactive about your current financial situation?

Last October, Terrence Howard refused an opportunity to reprise his role as Tony Stark's friend James Rhodes in the sequel to the blockbuster movie 'Iron Man.' Now that Samuel Jackson has signed with Marvel Entertainment to do a multi-film deal as Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D., there is more reason to believe that Howard's decision may have been penny wise and pound foolish.

When Howard rejected what he considered a low-ball offer from Marvel, it wasn't clear what the company was going to do with the Iron Man franchise. After the movie made $600 million last summer, a sequel was a no-brainer. But the deal with Samuel Jackson highlights a strategy of making long-term commitments to characters that may make actors more eager to sign with Marvel in the future. Jackson signed a nine-film deal where he will play the Nick Fury character across several Marvel franchises including 'Thor,' 'Captain America' and 'The Avengers,' with a movie about S.H.I.E.L.D. also a possibility. Although he too felt Marvel low-balled their initial offer to him, over several months of back-and-forth Jackson was able to negotiate a landmark deal that will guarantee him paychecks for several years to come.

Unfortunately for Howard, he was unable to come to terms with Marvel and Don Cheadle was quickly signed as his replacement. Since it was in Marvel's best interest to keep Howard on to maintain the same characterizations from the original movie, it's unlikely they paid Cheadle much more than they offered Howard. So what did Cheadle see in the opportunity to play the James Rhodes character that Howard did not?

Their union lasted only 10 months, so how much is a 10-month marriage worth? In this case, a one-time payment of $65,000, monthly rental payments of $2,730 and an $800-a-month car payment thrown in for good measure.

That's what a judge decided Tyrese must pay Ms. Mitchell this week according to TMZ.com. On top of all this, Tyrese is also on the hook for child support payments of $6,230 a month until their daughter Shayla becomes an adult. His ex will also be in control of those funds, if not the direct recipient.

Tyrese reportedly made $800,000 during the 10 months the couple was "together." When added up over a similar ten-month period, the total court-approved payments total $162,600 -- and that is just the beginning. The costs will rack up further over time. But just for this brief period, that's close to 20% of what Tyrese made during their short time together. Apparently, the judge's decision wasn't generous enough, as the soon-to-be former Mrs. Gibson is contesting the prenuptial agreement she signed prior to the two taking their vows, "'til 10 months do us part."

If 20% of his earnings isn't enough compensation for a fast and failed relationship, what percentage is the right amount?

By Matthew Scott, Special to Black Voices

As tax time approaches, it's important to remember that charitable giving throughout the year is a great way to get the benefit of tax savings through a charitable deduction while also supporting worthy causes you believe in. Through his non-profit organization The Vine Group USA, actor Mehki Phifer is doing just that, with help from the World Poker Tour.

At the three-day Texas Hold 'Em tournament to be held during the 7th annual World Poker Tour Invitational in Los Angeles, Mr. Phifer and a list of celebrities will play poker against the pros while raising money for the needy. Going from February 28 to March 2, this event includes a charitable effort to raise money for educational programs in English-speaking African countries. Celebrities who have little or no poker chips after the first two hours of play will be allowed to "re-buy" into the games for a minimum donation of $200. All money collected from "re-buys" will go to Phifer's Vine Group, which provides scholarships, textbooks and technological equipment to academic institutions in Africa.

"Attendees will be able to have fun at the tables while learning about our organization and the important cause it supports," said Mr. Phifer, who is chairman of The Vine Group.

Celebrities scheduled to appear at the tournament include: Don Cheadle, Montel Williams, Nelly, Ray Romano, Nicky Hilton, David Katzenberg, Marlon Wayans, Camryn Manheim, Levi, Donnie Wahlberg, Ricki Lake, Michael Vartan, Daniel Baldwin, Kevin Pollack, Jason Mewes, Billy Burke and Vincent Kartheiser. Confirmed poker pros include Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Mike Sexton, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Chip Jett, Andy Bloch and Jerry Yang.

Photo Courtesy of World Poker Tour

By Matthew Scott, Special to Black Voices

A great source of aid during a downturn are scholarships -- money that can be used to add knowledge and skills to enhance your status at your current company, or propel you toward a new career field where jobs are more plentiful and salaries more lucrative. If you happen to be unemployed, a scholarship that allows you to go back to school for additional training can give you a competitive edge against other candidates when you resume your job search after finishing your new course of study.

In almost all cases, adding education and skills ultimately leads to an increase in salary, so it is in everyone's best interest to do periodic searches for scholarship aid to see if there is "free" money out there that they can benefit from. There are a number of scholarships directly targeted to minorities that may increase the employment chances of African Americans who are looking to better themselves by receiving some sort of aid.

For example, AMBI Skincare is now taking applications for its second annual Scholarship in Science & Medicine, in support of minority women. The company will grant five $10,000 awards to African American and Hispanic women who are genuinely interested in pursuing careers in those fields. AMBI created the scholarship because of the lack of female physicians in this country -- definitely an area where there are jobs available. The American Medical Association reported that there were 15,139 African American female and 15,009 Hispanic female physicians in 2006, as compared to 130,781 Caucasian female physicians in the U.S.

By Matthew Scott, Special to Black Voices

Can playing games help people become better managers of their credit card debt? The Doorway to Dreams Fund (D2D) has created an online financial literacy video game that they hope will do just that.

The game is called "Celebrity Calamity," and it asks players to serve as the business manager for three "spend first-ask questions later" celebrities -- Jessica Albudget, Buster Buyin and Missy Moolah. By managing debit and credit card purchases, players either successfully guide each celebrity through their challenging financial situations, or get fired in the process. As you might imagine, like with real celebrities who sometimes make purchases beyond their means, there is quite a bit of fiscal folly to overcome during the game. But exposure to such

financial miscues is what makes it great for those who don't fully understand how dealing with real credit card debt can quickly lead to financial ruin.

Designed by Enspire Learning, the game is currently offered to play for free at www.celebritycalamity.com. Because it is offered free, Nick Maynard, Director of Innovation and New Product Development at D2D, said the game hopes to appeal to the casual gaming segment of the video gaming industry, a growing area where gamers play at free online websites such as www.kongregate.com and www.bubblebox.com. The game and its graphics are simple (see screen shots), and not intended to compete with the sophisticated animation of "Grand Theft Auto" or the technical wizardry of the Nintendo Wii. The bigger issue, Mr. Maynard said, is that the game is the first of several that are trying to become viable teaching tools for managing credit card expenses and explaining credit card terms, like APR (annual percentage rate), while also providing entertainment. Test groups seem to indicate that games such as these may have some promise.

By Matthew Scott, Special to Black Voices

If you are among the unemployed, it's important that you don't further jeopardize your search for a new position by offering job references that do not work in your best interest. In such a tight job market, your job references take on a more significant role -- more than ever, they can be the difference between you getting hired or passed over.

When former employers or colleagues talk enthusiastically about your abilities, it helps a prospective employer feel comfortable that you can do everything you say you can do during your actual interview. If it appears that you are coveted by a former employer or co-worker, it may enhance your value in the eyes of a prospective employer, making it easier for them to make a hiring decision in your favor.

The Creative Group, an advertising and marketing staffing firm owned by executive search and consulting giant Robert Half International, recently surveyed advertising and marketing executives to find out how job candidate's references affected their hiring decisions. In many cases, the people job candidates expected to vouch for them, actually sabotaged them by delivering unflattering comments or giving lack-luster approval of their work.

By Matthew Scott, Special to Black Voices

How well did your financial advisor manage your money last year? How well did you manage your own 401(k)? Chances are, in an environment where the financial markets have fallen more than 40%, you or your advisor would have liked to have done better.

This week, Barron's unveiled its list of the top 1,000 financial advisors in the nation, a group that can give individual investors insight into what they should expect from their current advisor or one they might select in the future. The list includes profiles of the top financial advisor in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, showing what they believe are the best ways to earn their client's trust and revealing some of the investment strategies they are using in today's challenging economic climate.

Coming off Tuesday's 382-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial average, it's probably a good time for everyone to reassess the performance of their portfolio and the performance of the person managing it. If your advisor isn't doing some of the things that these advisors are doing for their clients, maybe you should consider a change. And if you are managing your own money, finding out what some of the best in the business are doing to safeguard their clients' fortunes certainly couldn't hurt you manage yours.